Translation and Interpretation Services- Buenos Aires, Argentina

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (A0003) updates the Schedule of Supplies/Services for the opportunity. It provides detailed line items and quantities for various services and equipment, including:

• Interpreter Personnel: Specifies daily rates, quantity of translators, and number of days for different language pairs (e.g., English to Arabic, English to Russian).
• Interpreter Over Time Hourly Rate: Lists hourly rates for overtime for various languages.
• Technical/Audio Personnel: Details rates for technicians for set-up, dismantle, and onsite assistance during conference days, including specific dates.
• Audiovisual Equipment: Lists quantities and days for equipment such as booths, audio engines, transmitters, consoles, IR radiators, receivers, microphones, and laptops.
• Travel Accommodations: Includes sections for interpreter and technician travel accommodations (airfare, ground transportation, meals, hotel) and local interpreter accommodations.
• Isolation Booths: References Task 2 of the SOW for details on isolation booths.
• Grand Totals: Provides fields for calculating total interpreter fees, technician fees, audiovisual equipment costs, and overall services (excluding overtime).

This amendment directly impacts the "Schedule of Supplies/Services" section of the original solicitation or contract, providing specific pricing and quantity details for required resources.

Bidders should review these updated schedule details carefully as they will inform pricing and resource planning for proposals. The specific quantities and types of services/equipment listed are critical for accurate cost estimation.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a draft agenda for the Drug Enforcement Administration's International Drug Enforcement Conference, scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from August 18-20, 2026. The theme of the conference is "Justice Through Strength and Unity."

The agenda outlines the schedule of events, including registration, opening ceremonies, plenary sessions, workshops, partnership exhibitions, bilateral time, and closing ceremonies, spanning from August 17 (travel day) to August 21 (travel day). Specific details such as speakers, exact locations, and some session topics are marked as "TBD" (To Be Determined). The document also indicates the languages supported for various sessions (English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Russian, Portuguese) and provides Wi-Fi credentials. A note regarding "EAR SET DELIVERY & RETURN" specifies that an ID or passport is mandatory for delivery and a penalty applies for late returns. This information is relevant for potential attendees to understand the conference structure, timing, and logistical requirements.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential bidders and the government's responses, clarifying various aspects of the solicitation for the IDEC 2026 conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• Language Variants: The government requires Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and standard French. This is detailed on page 1 of the updated Statement of Work (SOW).
• Translation vs. Interpretation: The government will not require PowerPoint translation. Only interpretation during presentations is needed. This clarification is addressed on page 1 of the updated SOW.
• Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment (SIE): The SOW has been updated to address line items for SIE and associated technical support on page 2.
• Additional Booths: Clarification on whether additional booths are beyond the base requirement is addressed on pages 2 and 3 of the updated SOW.
• Venue: The awarded hotel is the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center, located at San Martín 1225 1275, C1104 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Floor plans have been provided.
• Security Requirements: While local interpreters are acceptable, the DEA reserves the right to conduct background screening on all employees. Contractors must be escorted if entering a DEA facility.
• Remote/Hybrid Interpretation: The government is not equipped for alternative delivery methods for this event.
• Page Limits & Formatting: The page limit for Volumes I and II has been increased to 20 pages. Resumes are not included in this count but should not exceed 20 additional pages. Tables and graphs may use a reduced font.
• Interpreter Qualifications: Resumes must include full first and last names. Interpreters must demonstrate fluency in specific language pairs, including relay interpretation through English.

Several sections of the Statement of Work have been updated based on these Q&As. Bidders should carefully review the updated SOW and any attached documents (e.g., draft agenda, floor plans) for precise requirements. The proposal submission deadline has been extended to May 15, 2026, at 10:00 am EST.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a general floor plan of the first floor of the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center. It is labeled as "PLANO GENERAL PRIMER PISO" (General Plan First Floor) and has a plan number of 0001.

The floor plan depicts various rooms and areas, including:

• Foyers
• Salons (e.g., Salon Golden Horn, Salon La Pampa, Salon Libertador A/B/C, Salon Retiro A/B/C, Salon Catalinas)
• Access points
• Restrooms (indicated by accessibility symbols)
• Other labeled areas such as "ACCESO" (Access) and "OBSERVACIONES" (Observations).

This floor plan is relevant for bidders to understand the physical layout of the venue where services or events may take place. It can assist in planning logistics, understanding space allocation, and visualizing the environment for any potential opportunity associated with this location.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (A0003) to the solicitation D-26-OE-0009 introduces several key changes:

• Updated RFQ and CLIN Structure: An updated Request for Quote (RFQ) and a new CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) structure pricing sheet are now available.

• Extended Proposal Deadline: The final proposal submission deadline has been extended to May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST. No late submissions will be accepted.

• Updated Statement of Work (SOW): The SOW has been updated and fully replaces the initial version published on April 17, 2026.

• Page Limit Adjustment: The page limit for submissions has been increased from 10 pages to 20 pages, excluding resumes.

• Factor 2 Update: Factor 2 (Personnel Resumes) in the evaluation criteria has been updated.

• New Clauses Added: The RFQ now includes the "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES" clause and the "DEA-2852.204.94" clause.

• New Attachments: The "Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center Floor Plan" and the "Draft Agenda" have been added as attachments.

• Updated Pricing Sheet: An updated pricing sheet is incorporated.

• Request for Quote (RFQ)

• Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure and pricing sheet

• Statement of Work (SOW)

• Evaluation Factors (Factor 2: Personnel Resumes)

• Page limits for submissions

• Added Clauses: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES, DEA-2852.204.94

• Attachments: Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center Floor Plan, Draft Agenda

• The proposal deadline is extended to May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

• The page limit for proposals has increased to 20 pages (excluding resumes).

• Offerors must incorporate all changes from this amendment into their final quotes.

• No additional questions will be considered after this amendment is issued.

Amendment / Modification

• The due date for final quotes has been extended.

• The new hour and date specified for receipt of offers is May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

• No late submissions will be accepted.

• Another amendment is forthcoming to address questions from prospective offerors and to make changes to the solicitation.

• Item 14, "DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION", has been updated to reflect the extension of the offer receipt date.

• The deadline for submitting offers has been extended to May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

Amendment / Modification

• The due date for final quotes has been extended.

• The new hour and date specified for receipt of offers is May 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

• Late submissions will not be accepted.

• Another amendment is forthcoming to address questions from prospective offerors and to make changes to the solicitation.

• Item 9A (Amendment of Solicitation No.) and Item 11 (This item only applies to amendments of solicitations) are affected by this change.

• The deadline for submitting offers has been extended to May 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Translation and Interpretation Services for the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) 2026, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This announcement serves as a combined synopsis/solicitation, and no separate written solicitation will be issued. The procurement is a 100% Small Business set-aside.

• Translation and interpretation services for the IDEC 2026 conference.

• Services include interpretation (consecutive and simultaneous) and audio-visual support.

• Specific languages required include English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Russian.

• Audio-visual requirements include interpretation booths, consoles, headsets, soundproofing, ventilation, lighting, and other related equipment.

• The government intends to issue a single firm-fixed-price purchase order.

• The period of performance is tied to the conference dates: August 18-20, 2026, with potential planning team arrival/departure 1-3 days before and after.

• Questions must be submitted in writing via email by April 23, 2026, 10:00 AM EST.

• Final quotes must be submitted via email by April 30, 2026, 10:00 AM EST.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on technical capabilities, personnel resumes, past performance, and price.

• Award will be made on a best-value basis.

• This procurement is a 100% Small Business set-aside.

• Offerors must have an active SAM.gov account at the time of proposal submission and contract award.

• Alternate quotes will not be accepted.

• All quotes must be on an all-or-none basis.

• Offerors must submit a complete quotation.

• Security requirements and background screening may apply to contractor personnel.