Interpreter and CART Services
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Sources Sought Notice For:
Sign Language Interpreter and Communication Access Real Time (C.A.R.T.) Services
This Sources Sought Notice is being issued for informational and planning purposes only. Information gathered will be considered in order to determine the feasibility of a small business providing the necessary support and whether adequate competition exists to set-aside the competition for small business or a sub-category. The information requested will also be used to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside the agency.
This announcement is not a solicitation of any kind. VA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals for this requirement. This notice should not be construed as a commitment of any type by the Government to take or not take any action. Please note VA will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this Sources Sought Notice.
The VA is seeking source information for the following: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is in need of a sign language interpreter and CART services.
Background: The VISN 5 (MD, WV, & DC) VA Healthcare seeks to provide hearing impaired employees and patients with a reasonable accommodation in the form of sign language, CART Transcription services, and any other non-prosthetic hearing assistance method or mechanism. These services are requested for translating spoken English to hearing impaired employees and patients.
Scope of Work: This service request supports a routine American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real Time (CART) service for hearing impaired employees. These services are to be provided on a weekly or monthly basis, and as needed for emergency or routine meetings, during any/all group meetings and sessions, or conferences for hearing impaired employees located at various VA VISN 5 medical centers.
Services must be available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Interpreters must be available for conference call, sessions, or other needs deemed in scope.
There will be no overlapping of scheduling interpreting services. The requested effort and use of the interpreter will be coordinated between the departments.
The transcriptionist and provider securely connect through Joinme.com using a unique authentication code provided by the contractor. Once online connection has been established, the CART transcriptionist and group individuals will be joined via teleconference call.
The CART transcriptionist listens into the meeting and transcribes verbatim, and in real-time, what is being said by all meeting participants. As the CART transcriptionist types, the words appear on the provider s iPad and the words roll off the top of the provider s screen as the conversation progresses
The candidate may be exposed to sensitive personnel information. The appropriate clearance will be required Public Trust.
The secure software associated with this process prevents a patient s health information from being saved once the CART transcriptionist has completed the real-time transmission process. This privacy and security feature is inherent within the program, by design.
Certifications: Industry Standard requirement, Sign Language certification or formal academic degree in sign language and two (2) plus years of experience are required.
The contractor must remain well versed in innovative products and services that may enhance and facilitate better interpretation and communication vehicles for hearing impaired employees and patients.
The contractor shall be able to provide an interpreter that can interpret medical terminology.
There will be no off-site activity for the requested services; they will be on-site for all events. No travel required.
NAICS Code: The NAICS for this effort is 541930, Translation and Interpretation Services. The Small Business Administration small business size standard for NAICS code 541930 Translation & Interpretation Services 7.5million, annual average receipts (total or gross income) over the past three years. The acquisition strategy of this requirement has yet to be determined.
Submission Instructions:
Interested parties are requested to submit the following information as outlined below:
Company Information: General information, including CAGE.
Business size under 541930.
If claiming SDVOSB or VOSB status, submit VIP certification.
GSA Contract Number for which you could provide services under.
Capabilities: Generally describe your company s abilities and interest in fulfilling VA s requirement.
Any Other Information Deemed Useful to VA.
Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall be submitted via e-mail to Amy Ritchey at amy.ritchey@va.gov no later than 2pm EST, June 27, 2018. Please refer any questions to POC below.
Point of Contact (POC):
Amy Ritchey
Contracting Officer
Amy.ritchey@va.gov
Amy Ritchey
Contract Specialist
Response to Sources Sought Notice Sign Language
