Notice of Intent to Issue Blanket Purchase Agreement for Language Services

This Notice is not a call for sources, quotes, or solicitations. The deadline for response is 2359 EDT on September 29, 2023. Responses may be directed by e-mail to Katherine Yemelyanov, Contracting Officer, Office of Language Services, Department of State. Any technical data received will be considered for the sole purpose of market research for future requirements.

The Office of Language Services of the U.S. Department of State (A/OPR/LS) contracts directly with qualified individuals to provide foreign language interpreting, translating, and related services in support of diplomatic and foreign affairs activities at the highest levels of the U.S. Government. The Office has limited contracting authority pursuant to Department of State Acquisition Regulations (DOSAR), the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), and FAR Part 13 to contract for interpreters and translators domestically. DOSAR 601.601-70 further defines this as the authority to enter into and administer simplified acquisition transactions under FAR Part 13 and orders against existing contracts up to the maximum ordering threshold or limitation for interpreting, translating, conference reporting, and related language support and escort services. The Office establishes fixed rates of payment for specific language services each fiscal year on the basis of market research. In accordance with industry standards, these rates are not published for the general public.

For the purposes of this Notice, the term qualified describes those individuals who have passed the Office's test(s) of interpreting and translating skill for one or more foreign languages and have successfully provided Language Services under a Basic Ordering Agreement or Purchase Order with the A/OPR/LS in the past. In accordance with 1 FAM 213.3, the Office develops and administers examinations to evaluate the interpreting and translating skills of prospective direct-hire and contract staff. These exams are offered by invitation only subject to the needs of the Department. Individual members of the public who wish to be considered as test candidates should visit https://www.state.gov/freelance-linguists-ols/ to view criteria and application information. In addition, qualified bidders must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status and have active contractor profiles in the System for Award Management (SAM). They must also be able to obtain and maintain a Moderate or High-risk Public Trust Certification from the State Department's Office of Personnel Suitability and Security. They must agree to accept our fixed rates of payment for specific language services. Finally, they are forbidden from subcontracting and must adhere to strict professional standards.

A/OPR/LS intends to issue Blanket Purchase Agreements for Language Services to qualified bidders effective October 1, 2023. The Office anticipates that roughly 1000 Agreements with individual foreign language translators, interpreters, and specialists will be issued for Fiscal Year 2024. The annual value of calls against these individual Agreements will not exceed $150,000, with no individual call to exceed $25,000 and over half of all calls at or below the micro purchase threshold $10,000. There is no guarantee of assignment under these Agreements. Individual BPA calls are awarded on the recommendation of Subject Matter Experts within the Office at the discretion of the Contracting Officer for Language Services on bases including evaluated skill sets, prior performance, and availability to accept assignment.