Language Interpretation - English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik

Other / Unclassified

This document is a map detailing the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4893-DR) for the State of Alaska, specifically related to Severe Storms, Flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong. It visually represents the designated areas for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (A-G) across various regions and Native Villages in Alaska. The map also indicates Federally Recognized Tribes within these designated areas.

This document is relevant to potential bidders by identifying the geographic scope of the disaster declaration. This information is crucial for understanding which areas are eligible for disaster relief and recovery efforts, which may inform the types of services or support that will be required or funded. Bidders interested in opportunities related to disaster response, recovery, or mitigation in Alaska should consult this map to determine the specific locations impacted and designated for assistance.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To obtain professional language services to ensure effective communication with non-native English speakers and communities impacted by severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong in October 2025. These services will support disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and community engagement efforts. The contract aims to award an Alaska-based business with interpreters proficient in English and Central Alaskan Yup'ik, familiar with affected communities.

• Provide professional in-person and remote spoken language and sight interpreting services between English and Central Alaskan Yup'ik.

• Services required in Anchorage, Bethel, and other impacted communities or villages.

• Interpreters may interpret meetings, phone calls, video calls, one-on-one interactions, media events, and sight interpretation of documents.

• Over-the-phone interpreting will be performed by the Contractor, who is responsible for connection integrity and bandwidth.

• Ensure timely and accurate communication between FEMA personnel and non-English-speaking survivors.

• Interpreters must arrive within specified timeframes and be prepared for challenging field conditions.

• Over-the-phone interpreters must answer calls within 4 rings.

• Interpreters shall keep accurate records of arrivals and calls taken/interpreted.

• Base period: 90 calendar days from award.

• Option period: 90 days.

• Primary place of performance for telephonic/virtual interpreting: Contractor's facility.

• In-person interpreting: FEMA occupied facilities in Anchorage, Bethel, and field locations in impacted villages.

• Interpreters must be fluent in Central Alaskan Yup'ik (preference for those familiar with dialects in affected communities) and English.

• Interpreters must be culturally competent and familiar with FEMA programs and terminology.

• In-person interpreters require state/tribal photo ID and dependable transportation.

• Interpreters must be willing to travel via plane to local villages.

• Confidentiality of survivor information and FEMA proprietary information is mandatory.

• Contractor must provide program management and coordination support.

• Good faith effort to hire interpreters from local villages is required.

• Availability for coordination: Sun-Sat 0600-1900 AKT, with a 2-hour response time for requests (12 hours for confirmation unless shorter turnaround is needed).

• Security requirements as outlined by DHS.

• Section 508 Compliance for Electronic and Information Technology.

• Contractor must develop and maintain a quality control program.

• Contractor furnishes all facilities, materials, equipment, and services, except for Government Furnished Resources.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (Solicitation Number: 70FBR026Q00000013) is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for professional language interpretation services. The services are needed for disaster response operations related to Disaster Declaration 4893-AK Typhoon Halong in Alaska. The contract will be a hybrid firm fixed price labor hour contract for services and cost reimbursement for travel.

• Provide qualified interpreters fluent in English and Central Alaskan Yup'ik.

• Interpretation services for meetings, briefings, interviews, and official communications.

• Adherence to confidentiality, ethical standards, and DHS requirements for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information.

• Respond to requests on short notice, indicating response times and availability.

• Designate a primary point of contact for coordination.

• Services may be required in-person or remotely.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for interpretation hours, Cost reimbursement for authorized travel per Federal Travel Regulations.

• Period of Performance: April 27, 2026 - July 26, 2026, with one 90-day option period for extension.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 541930 with a size standard of $22.5 million is provided.

• Evaluation Criteria: Interpreter qualifications and experience, ability to deploy to disaster areas, price (hourly rate and travel costs), past performance, and local area preference.

• Questions Due: April 21, 2026, by 2:00 PM PT.

• Quotations Due: April 23, 2026, by 2:00 PM PT.

• Submission Method: Submit questions and quotations via email to Sandra.Shanks@fema.dhs.gov and FEMA-R10-Contracts@fema.dhs.gov.

• This acquisition is set aside for contractors registered in SAM for "All Awards" with a primary business location in one of the federally designated disaster areas for DR-4893-AK. If no local offers are received, all offers will be considered.

• Designated Areas include: Bering Strait REAA, Iditarod Area REAA, Kashunamiut REAA, Lower Kuskokwim REAA, Lower Yukon REAA, Northwest Arctic Borough, Pribilof Island REAA, St. Marys City SD, Yukon Koyukuk REAA, and Yupiit REAA.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4 by reference, with 52.212-5 attached.

• The contract is subject to the Service Contract Act Wage Determination 2015-5687 Revision 27.

• Primary locations for services are Anchorage and Bethel, Alaska.