This document addresses vendor questions regarding a government RFP for translation and formatting services. The government clarified that yearly pricing for translation is not feasible, proposing a per-word rate for translation and per-hour for formatting, aligning with industry standards. The contract also includes requirements for virtual meeting attendance, correspondence logging, and translation memory updates. Sample documents, including sensitive but unclassified materials, will be provided, and vendors are expected to receive editable source files, converting PDFs as needed. The government indicated a budget based on an average workload of 30 hours per week or an estimated per-word charge for technical documents.

This document addresses questions and answers regarding a government contract for translation services, specifically Spanish to English with occasional English to Spanish. Key details include a variable monthly workload with approximately 200 repetitive letters annually, and an expectation for rush assignments (1-3 pages) once a month with a one-day turnaround. Documents are generally high quality, and the Contracting Officer’s Representative is the main point of contact. The contract requires availability during normal U.S. business hours, with a total of 30 hours per week estimated for the contract. WOSB certification must be active at the time of proposal submission, verified via SAM.gov. Specific translator certifications are not required, but demonstrated competency is essential. The incumbent contractor is Tilde Language (191BWC25P0046). The USIBWC uses MemoQ 10.5 TM and provides licenses to the contractor. Virtual meetings are standard. The contract will be awarded to the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) offeror, with the previous contract awarded at $54,600.00. Wage Determination will be added to the solicitation on SAM.gov, and Sally Spener will be the COR. Funding is contingent on Congress, with an anticipated contract start date of January 1, 2026. Proposals should be emailed to angelica.baca@ibwc.gov with digital signatures accepted. Security requirements for Sensitive But Unclassified documents involve restricting access to necessary personnel. The contract requires a fixed price based on 52 weeks, not a per-word basis, as it includes activities beyond pure translation.

This government file details the applicable terms, conditions, and provisions for federal acquisitions, effective through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC-Circular 2024-02. It outlines clauses incorporated by reference, accessible via acquisition.gov, and those provided in full text, including regulations on contractor personnel identity, System for Award Management, commercial and government entity codes, and accelerated payments to small business subcontractors. Key full-text clauses cover implementing statutes or Executive Orders, with specific requirements for commercial products and services, such as prohibitions on certain internal confidentiality agreements, Kaspersky Lab products, and telecommunications equipment from covered entities. The document also includes provisions for offeror representations and certifications, emphasizing compliance with various federal regulations and the use of the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing. Evaluation criteria for offers are based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method, considering technical aspects, past performance, and price, with a reservation for negotiation by the Government.

The provided document outlines the CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) structure for a translation service contract, likely associated with a government Request for Proposal (RFP) or grant. It details a base year for translation services from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, followed by an option year one covering January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027. Each period is designated for 52 weeks of service. The structure includes fields for quantity, unit, unit price, and total price for both the base year and option year, culminating in a grand total. This document serves to specify the contractual breakdown for acquiring translation services over a two-year period.

The Contractor Vetting & Position Designation Record (PDR) Request Form is a comprehensive document used by government agencies to vet contractors and designate the appropriate public trust level for their positions. It gathers essential information across five parts: basic contract details, contractor personal and employment information, a detailed position description including fiduciary and IT administrative rights, a checklist of public trust duties relevant to the role, and the level of supervision the contractor will receive. This form is critical for ensuring that contractors in federal, state, and local projects meet the necessary security and trust requirements, especially for roles involving sensitive information, financial responsibilities, public safety, or critical infrastructure.

The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) document, classified as “Sensitive but Unclassified,” addresses the structural safety of the Anzalduas Dam. The U.S. Section contracted Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for a bridge engineering study and design of truss beam supports for the dam, costing $1,512,000. This project was recommended by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in November 2024. While the Mexican Section agrees on the study's necessity, it cannot fund it jointly due to a lack of prior agreement. Consequently, the Mexican Section proposes a binational meeting on November 13, 2025, to discuss cost distribution for the project. The communication highlights a common understanding of the dam's needs but a disagreement on funding procedures, necessitating further bilateral discussion.

The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Mexican Section requested a payment adjustment of $1,579.46 from the U.S. Section due to exchange rate fluctuations. This request follows an earlier payment of $204,393.03 for the construction and supervision of the Right Lateral Canal 27+630 in Irrigation District 014 Rio Colorado. The initial payment request, dated September 25, 2025, used an exchange rate of $18.4265 pesos to the dollar. However, by the payment date of October 28, 2025, the exchange rate had dropped, causing losses for the Mexican Section when disbursing funds to contractors. The adjustment is sought under the Joint Memorandum of Secretaries, which outlines criteria for defining exchange rates in inter-section payments. The documentation includes details on contract numbers, statement amounts, and the differing exchange rates that led to the reported loss.

This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding a government RFP for Spanish to English translation services. Key points include: contractor experience can be demonstrated through resumes, references, and certifications; pricing is an annual cost, not hourly or weekly, with monthly billing an option; a Non-Sensitive, Public Trust background investigation is required, but not a security clearance; out-of-state vendors are welcome with no local preference; specific translator certifications and a documented track record of translating complex documents are mandatory; a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification is required at the time of award; translation volumes fluctuate and should be priced as averages, with one-day turnaround expected for priority letters without advance notice; a strict limit of two dedicated translators is enforced, and machine translation is a tool to assist human translators; projects originate from Mountain or Pacific time zones, and contractors are expected to average 30 hours per week; the existing CLIN structure will be maintained, with no changes to per-word pricing or additional categories for quality assurance or rush fees. The government retains ownership of translation memories and linguistic assets. US holidays apply, and translator qualifications will be verified prior to award, focusing on individual translator experience.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC), seeks a contractor for Spanish-to-English translation services, with occasional English-to-Spanish translations. The contractor will translate various documents, including technical descriptions, news articles, international agreements, and reports. Key responsibilities include formatting translations using MSWord or PowerPoint, maintaining records in a shared OneDrive folder, distributing translated documents via email (prioritizing Mexican Section letters for one-day turnaround), and utilizing MemoQ and machine translation services. The contractor must be proficient in MemoQ and translation memory, attend weekly webinar staff meetings, and quarterly meetings with USIBWC personnel. The work is offsite, and the contractor must provide their own office equipment. Confidentiality is paramount. The contract limits work to a maximum of two translators due to specialized agency vocabulary and systems. USIBWC will provide glossaries, access to translation tools, historical files, training on their systems, and access to translation logs. Required experience includes a documented track record of translating complex technical, legal, and scientific documents. The performance period is January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with an option year through December 31, 2027.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC), is seeking a contract translator for Spanish to English translation services. The contractor will translate various documents, including letters, news articles, international agreements, and technical reports, following USIBWC formatting and procedural guidelines. Key responsibilities include formatting documents, maintaining translation records on a shared OneDrive, distributing translated documents via email with a one-day turnaround for priority items, and utilizing MemoQ and machine translation services. The contractor must be proficient in MemoQ, attend weekly staff meetings and quarterly joint US/Mexico section meetings, and work offsite using their own equipment. Confidentiality is paramount, and the work must be performed by no more than two translators. The USIBWC will provide glossaries, access to translation tools, historical files, and training on their tracking systems. Required experience includes a documented track record of translating complex documents in engineering, water, or scientific fields, and translators must pass a Non-Sensitive, Public Trust background investigation. The contract period is January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with an option year through December 31, 2027.