Interpretation services for U.S Embassy Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Date: 12/18/2025 Minutes From Pre-Proposal Conference of 12/18/2025 Request for Quotation (RFQ) Number 19UZ8026Q0005 Introduction U.S. Embassy Tashkent Team: Joseph Anderson– Contracting Officer Shukhrat Arifdjanov – Procurement Supervisor Irina Mezentseva – Procurement Agent Jumyazov, Nodir – Procurement Agent Sitora Raupova – Procurement Agent Nodira Vahidova – Procurement Agent Md Isa, Mohd Hisham - Deputy Chief • DOD/SCO Nilufar Atabaeva – Military Programs Assistant Joseph Anderson This meeting will serve as the pre-proposal conference for the contract for Interpretation services Contract for the Embassy of the United States of America in Tashkent. This will be in accordance with Section 1 on pages 5-9, including the pricing on page 6. Before starting discussion of the Solicitation Package, please note that there are two main requirements: The first is to read the solicitation document carefully, and the second is to submit your proposal in compliance with the solicitation requirements. Section 3 on pages 27-28 provides you with clear instructions on what must be included to complete the proposal package. If something is not on this list, it will not be evaluated. Please ensure that you provide accurate calculations for your bid, as this will be one of the main criteria that are evaluated. The US Embassy strongly emphasizes transparency of the tender and equal conditions for participation. If you have any questions, they must come in writing by email to TashkentProcurement@state.gov . We will set a deadline for questions, after which we will email the questions and their answers to all bidders at once to ensure transparency and a fair process. I will let the procurement team explain how to complete the forms. Nodira Vahidova Quotations are due by 12:00 pm Tashkent time (GMT+5) on January 12, 2026 and must be sent by email to TashkentGSOProcurement@state.gov Proposals submitted later will not be accepted for consideration In order to a proposal to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following: 1.SF-1449 on page 3, Section 12, 17, 23, 24, 30. Where: 12 – Discount terms (if any) 17 – Company name 23 – Price table on page 6 24 – Price table on page 6 30 – Name and title, signature and date 2. Section I, Pricing 3. Section 5 Representations and Certifications 4. Additional information as required in Section 3 5. Proof of SAM Registration Section – 1 on page 5 Description: The Contractor shall provide Interpretation services for U.S Embassy Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as described in this solicitation. The contract type is this IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity) contract at a fixed rate. This applies to interpretations/translations from/into English/Russian/Uzbek. This rate will cover all costs associated with the translation requirements, including preparation of the translation, materials, overhead and profit. The U.S. Government guarantees a minimum order $10 under this contract with maximum order amount (will be specified after award). If the Contractor (interpreter) fails to respond to oral or written requests for services, declines assignments due to other commitments, or is otherwise unavailable when requested, the Government shall have no obligation to pay the minimum guaranteed amount. Transportation/lodging/meal allowance costs to the link up point with the U.S. delegation in Tashkent, Chirchiq and Gazalkent are not covered. As set forth in Section 1. The contract will be for a one-year period from the date to start services, set forth in the Notice to Proceed, with no option years to renew. Cancellation If the interpreter is given notice of cancellation at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled event, not counting weekends or federal holidays, no cancellation fee will be paid. If an event is scheduled to last five days or less and the interpreter is given notice of the cancellation less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled event, not counting weekends or federal holidays, the interpreter will be paid a cancellation fee for one full day. If an event is scheduled to last six days or longer, and the interpreter is given notice of cancellation less than 24 hours before the scheduled event, not counting weekends or federal holidays, the interpreter will be paid a cancellation fee equivalent to two full days. You are required to provide prices for each service. See page 6. Scope of work – pages 7-9. We will discuss it in more detail later today. Price table – 6 Section 3 – solicitation provisions – page 27-28 All the factors that we will use when considering proposals are specified in section 3, page 27-28. If submitted proposal missing any information specified in section 3, the proposal can be considered technically unacceptable. 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. Page -31 It means that provider is not allowed to use the prohibited technology listed. Section 4 – evaluation factors – page 29-30 Should be reviewed carefully to know Embassy requirements. If not provided, we will not evaluate. SAM.GOV page – 1 Bidders must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submission. Registration information is available at https://sam.gov/content/home As registration may be a lengthy process, interested bidders should initiate the registration as soon as possible. The resultant SAM number must be provided with the proposal submission. This registration is free of charge and must be updated every year. Md Isa, Mohd Hisham Scope of work from page 7 to 9 The Contractor shall provide Interpretation services for U.S Embassy Tashkent . The Contractor shall perform translation services conforming to high professional standards. The Contractor shall translate from and into English, Russian and Uzbek, producing full, idiomatic translations of a broad range of documents of varying complexity including legal documents, technical data, regulations, and/or government correspondence. The Contractor shall interpret from and into English, Russian and Uzbek, generally in informal situations, but involving in-depth professional exchanges on a wide variety of subjects. The mode of interpretation can be consecutive, concurrent, or both. The Contractor shall properly convey the substance of the words and information to be translated, conducting requisite research and with attention to detail and nuances. The Contractor shall prepare a translation that can be readily understood by the intended target audience. The Contractor shall resolve linguistic problems as they arise and coordinate the work with others as necessary and as directed by the COR. The Contractor shall display fluent spoken and written English, Russian and Uzbek and covering a wide range of terminology in many fields, as well as knowledge of the government, military, history, and culture of the United States and Uzbekistan to be able to understand the cultural differences between the languages. After personal research and/or topical briefings by the Government, the Contractor should be able to bridge terminology gaps, different measurement systems, and similar disparities. Additionally, the Contractor must have a minimum of five (5) years of professional interpretation or translation experience working with military organizations, including experience with the Ministry of Defense (MOD), international organizations, or equivalent institutions. The Contractor must display fluent written command of English, Russian and Uzbek, covering a wide range of terminology and specialized vocabulary in many fields. The translated material may be for the information of the Embassy or for publication and dissemination. Translations shall be of such quality as accuracy, terminology, and style that they require minimal review by the Embassy/Consulate. The Government may require the Contractor to compare the English and other language versions of texts of treaties, agreements, and other documents for conformity of meaning prior to signature and publication. The Contractor must apply a high degree of judgment to understand the thrust of specific, often conceptually complex statements, such as typically drafted by leading experts in a field, and to transpose them into another language without loss of important nuances. The Contractor shall develop research patterns to define the specific parameters that must be mastered to overcome communications problems, often caused by differences in general philosophy, academic education, or scientific methodology among various countries and cultures. The Contractor must perform interpreting services with the desired tenor of a public statement or the goals to be reached in a negotiation. Serve as a notetaker, when needed. The Contractor must be physically able to perform duties in formal settings, informal settings, indoors, outdoors, and in field conditions. The Contractor shall keep pace with moving Government personnel without falling behind during service periods. The Contractor must be in proper attire based on the service setting to match Government personnel requirements and environmental/weather conditions. Nodira Vahidova Conclusion We hope that the information obtained will help you to provide acceptable and mutually beneficial offers. All questions might be asked during the meeting or send via electronic mail to address TashkentGSOProcurement@state.gov . We will send the answers to all the companies, that will reflect the transparency of the tender and equal conditions for participation. Deadline for the question is December 19, 2025 at 11.00 am When decision is made, we will inform all in writing about its results, announce the winning company, and separately, each company will be informed why it did not win the tender. The conference concluded and attendees were thanked for their presence and expression of interest in serving the U.S. Government. The meeting was adjourned. Questions & Answers Q1.: Please confirm whether the interpreter is required to be trilingual. Is this a mandatory requirement? A.: We are requesting linguist service to translate/interpret between English, Russian, and Uzbek languages. If we are requesting for one linguist, that linguist should be able to perform the duties in all three languages. If the contractor is providing two people to perform the duties of one person, we will only be paying for one person. Q2.: Please clarify how a “page” is defined for pricing and invoicing purposes. A.: 2,000 symbols with space. Q3.: Please confirm the expected interpreting modality. Will both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting be required? If simultaneous interpreting is required, should the contractor plan to provide two interpreters per session to allow for rotation every 15–30 minutes? A.: Usually, consecutive interpretation will be required. If simultaneous interpretation is required, it will be specified. This will be rare, if ever. If simultaneous interpretation is required, two interpreters will be utilized. Q4.: In cases where a trilingual interpreter is not available, would it be acceptable to provide two interpreters, one Russian–Uzbek and one English–Uzbek? A.: We are requesting linguist service to translate/interpret between English, Russian, and Uzbek languages. If we are requesting for one linguist, that linguist should be able to perform the duties in all three languages. If the contractor is providing two people to perform the duties of one person, we will only be paying for one person. Q5.: Please confirm whether interpreters are required to work with high-level and standard/regular grids. A.: We don't differentiate high level and medium level. We expect providing of service based on our requirements specified through this contract. Q6.: Please advise whether any government-issued security clearance is required for interpreters. A.: No security clearance is required by the Embassy. Contractors will need to pass the Embassy background check. In addition, MOD will conduct its own background check upon submission of base access rosters. Q7.: Please confirm whether cash payment is acceptable under this contract. A.: No. Payment will be made based on the Prompt Payment Act. Q8.: Will interpreters who do not hold Uzbekistan citizenship be acceptable for performance of services? A.: There are no citizenship requirements for this job, as long as the contractor is legally able to work in Uzbekistan. Q9.: Please confirm whether vendors may also submit quotations for remote interpreting services. A.: Remote interpretation is not required. In-person linguists only. Q10.: Will any night work or after-hours services be required? If so, should vendors provide separate pricing for regular hours and night work? A.: Eight (8) hours per day is standard, regardless of the time. Q11.: Please clarify whether simultaneous interpreting equipment will be provided by the Embassy or should be included in the contractor’s scope. A.: Simultaneous interpretation equipment will be provided by the Embassy. Q12.: Please confirm whether the contract period is one (1) year. A.: Yes. The contract is for a one (1) year period. Q13.: Is prior experience working with the Ministry of Defense (MOD) required for all interpreters? A.: Yes. Five (5) years of experience working with military or international entities is required. Q14.: Please advise whether a medical check is required for interpreters prior to performing services. A.: A medical checkup is not required. However, the linguist must be able to keep up with moving military personnel on foot without being left behind, whether walking or running. Q15.: Should meals for interpreters be included in the proposed rates, or will they be provided separately? A.: All costs should be included in the rate.