Vetting and Linguistics Services

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security has an upcoming requirement for Vetting and Linguistics support services in predominantly High Threat Areas of the world as the need arises. Currently the Middle East region is the initial place of performance anticipated. The agency anticipates releasing the solicitation on or around 10 July 2017. It is anticipated that this acquisition will result in a single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity type of contract for a base and four (4) option years. Currently this requirement is being performed by an 8(a) contractor. The DoS's high level objective for the contract foreign language support services requirement is to get the right skill set, to the right location, at the right time, and at a fair and reasonable cost. To accomplish this objective, it is envisioned that the contract shall provide language-related services including interpreting, translating, and transcription services to support the missions in the Middle East region. To ensure that high levels of quality, performance, and cost controls are maintained, it is envisioned that Contractor shall provide the necessary management, supervisory, and administrative personnel to direct, administer, and report on these services on a daily basis. Performance, deliverables, and exact location(s) of the work will be conveyed to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer or his/her designated Contracting Officer Representative(s) (COR). The initial contract for Vetting and Linguistics will be used for supporting the requirements for Arabic, Kurdish, Dari, Pashto, and Nepali to include various dialects within these stated languages. The contract(s) shall require personnel who can perform monitoring, transcribing, translating, and interpreting (listening, writing, speaking, and reading) from the targeted language to English and vice versa, and occasionally, from one targeted language to another targeted language. Language proficiency testing is required in the source language(s) and English for all levels of linguists in the four basic communications skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Evidence of language proficiency testing with acceptable results is required prior to assignment. All companies are required to have a Top Secret facility clearance. Additionally, a number of contractor personnel will require either a Top Secret or a Secret clearance. Linguists will be deployed to targeted area(s) with adequate contractor management staff and will be required to undergo the necessary screening, vetting, clearing, and approval processes prior to, during, and following deployment to the host nation. **The need for support outside the Middle East Region may arise during performace of this requirement. Thus, the Contractor must be able to demonstrate the ability to provide support within 30 days notice to any location worldwide. This is a request for information only. This is not a solicitation announcement. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal. No contract will be awarded from this announcement, and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this notice is strictly voluntary. Firms responding to this notice are also requested to provide DoS with capabilities statements and a short narrative on how the support can be successfully implemented based on the provided info. The narrative should include hiring strategy and management resources available to fully execute the requirement with a 30 notice from the Government. Please see the draft Solicitation and Position Descriptions for the estimated level and locations of support.