ASL interpreter

Introduction & Background

The Naval Health Clinic (NBHC) Portsmouth is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing on-site/in-person American Sign Language (ASL) interpretive services on an as-needed basis. These services are required to support Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing individuals assigned to NBHC Portsmouth, NH. The primary scope of support is for the Industrial Hygiene department. Support encompasses both traditional office environments and dynamic survey work executed across the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the NBHC Portsmouth Area of Responsibility (AOR), and remote locations across Northern New England.

Scope of Work & Key Requirements

Interested vendors must demonstrate the capability to meet the logistical, administrative, and environmental demands of this requirement. The contractor must provide seamless sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign ASL interpretive services. From a scheduling perspective, vendors must be capable of receiving service requests by 1500 the day prior to the event and providing positive confirmation to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) no later than 1800 the same day.

Punctuality and accountability are paramount to this requirement. Personnel must arrive at the NAVMEDREADTRNUNIT PORTSMOUTH Industrial Hygiene office 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for COR check-in, and execute a proper check-out upon completion or early release. Furthermore, the contractor must maintain a zero-tolerance policy for cancellations and no-shows, demonstrating the capacity to immediately provide backfill ASL interpreters if the primary interpreter is unavailable.

For field operations, personnel supporting industrial hygiene surveys and exposure monitoring must be physically capable of traversing active industrial work areas. Vendors must supply their personnel with all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety shoes or boots, hard hats, safety glasses, and up to double hearing protection. Conversely, personnel supporting standard office and training events must maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance, conducting themselves in accordance with military installation standards at all times.

Capability Statement Instructions

Interested parties are requested to submit a Capability Statement demonstrating their ability to fulfill the requirements outlined above. Submissions must include a comprehensive company profile detailing the Company Name, CAGE Code, UEI Number, Point of Contact, and applicable Business Size standard. Respondents should also provide examples of past performance involving similar ASL services provided within the last three years, preferably in industrial, shipyard, or military healthcare environments.

Additionally, the statement must contain a brief narrative explaining how the company manages rapid deployment, day-before scheduling, and emergency backfill procedures to guarantee zero no-shows. Finally, vendors must confirm their ability to supply ASL interpreters with the necessary PPE for heavy industrial environments.