Request For Information (RFI) | R608 | Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)/Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) Services | Department of Veterans Affairs

ID: 36C10X25Q0044 • Type: Special Notice

Description

Posted: Jan. 29, 2025, 4:13 p.m. EST

This RFI is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Strategic Acquisition Center, Frederick, MD (SAC-F), for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Pursuant to FAR Part 10.002(b)(2)(iii) and (viii) (Market Research), the purpose of this RFI is to understand industry capabilities related to national enterprise imaging systems and to collect information to enable further development of a future acquisition strategy to include socio-economic consideration and methods.

Any information received from a contractor in response to this RFI may be used in creating a solicitation. Any information received which is marked with a statement, such as proprietary or confidential, intended to restrict distribution will not be distributed outside of the Government, except as required by law.

The Government is not responsible for any cost incurred by industry in furnishing this information. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested vendor's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future Request for Proposal (RFP), if any is issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions will become Government property and will not be returned. Interested vendors are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

Please see ATTACHMENT:

RFI_VRI-CART.pdf

VRI_CART PWS REV 1.pdf

Posted: Jan. 13, 2025, 3:36 p.m. EST

Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Strategic Acquisition Center in Frederick, MD, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on industry capabilities related to national enterprise imaging systems.

This RFI aims to collect information that will assist in the development of a future acquisition strategy, including socio-economic considerations and methods. The responses will help shape the procurement approach but do not constitute a solicitation.

Work Details
The contractor shall provide effective communication access services to ensure all information and events are accessible to employees who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other disabilities affecting their communication access across the United States and its territories.

Services include:
- Sign language interpretation
- Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
- Relay Conference Captioning (RCC)
- Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART)

The contractor must provide qualified and vetted interpreting services for both short- and long-term engagements. Responsibilities include:
- Scheduling and managing service requests
- Ensuring quality compliance with the work statement through a sound quality control program
- Providing interpreting services from American English to American Sign Language and CART services from spoken English to written English in real-time.

The contractor must also ensure interpreters maintain extensive knowledge of VA culture and terminology relevant to the clients' work.

Period of Performance
The period of performance includes a 12-month base period with four 12-month option periods, totaling up to 60 months.

Place of Performance
Interpreting services will be provided using video remote equipment, with interpreters located at the contractor's site.

Overview

Agency

Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick (SAC) [VA - HQ]

Response Deadline

Feb. 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m. EST (original: Jan. 27, 2025, 1:00 p.m. EST) Past Due

Posted

Jan. 13, 2025, 3:36 p.m. EST (updated: Jan. 29, 2025, 4:13 p.m. EST)

Set Aside

None

NAICS

541930 - Translation and Interpretation Services

PSC

R608 - Support- Administrative: Translation And Interpreting

Place of Performance

Frederick, MD United States

Source

SAM

Current SBA Size Standard

$22.5 Million

Pricing

Multiple Types Common

Signs of Shaping

89% of similar contracts within the VA Headquarters had a set-aside.

On 1/13/25 Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick issued Special Notice 36C10X25Q0044 for Request For Information (RFI) | R608 | Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)/Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) Services | Department of Veterans Affairs due 2/10/25.

Primary Contact

Name

Brian Tedesco Profile

brian.tedesco@va.gov

Phone

(503) 560-5788

Secondary Contact

Name

Justin Cole Profile

justin.cole4@va.gov

Phone

(202) 705-3088

Additional Contacts in Documents

Title	Name	Email	Phone
None	Brandi Luna Profile	brandi.luna@va.gov	None

Question & Answer

Incumbent or Similar Awards

Contracts Similar to Special Notice 36C10X25Q0044

Potential Bidders and Partners

Awardees that have won contracts similar to Special Notice 36C10X25Q0044

Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF > VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF > SAC FREDERICK (36C10X)

FPDS Organization Code

3600-0010X

Source Organization Code

100173467

Last Updated

Feb. 25, 2025

Last Updated By

brandi.luna@va.gov

Archive Date