Procurement of interpretation and translation services related to the NABL (KO4159) project webinars.
- Question (Q): The RQF requires the total price to be giver in the quote, what should the TOTAL price include: 3 or 4 webinars? Answer (A): The price should include the unit rates for simultaneous interpreting (cost of two interpreters per hour) and translation (1 page – 1560 characters with spaces).
- Q: Do all the webinars have the same duration as the first one, of which you provided the programme?
A: Yes, all the webinars have the same duration as the first one. - Q: what would the number of pages of written translations be?
A: Unfortunately, now we cannot estimate exactly the scope of written translation. - Q: In the file, you have attached one event on 19.5.2021 for simultaneous translation English-Russian. Do you mean by this simultaneous interpretation? If interpretation is meant, is it both ways i.e. English-Russian-English?
A: Yes, we mean simultaneous interpretation English-Russian-English. - Q: The venue will happen in Zoom – do you have a version of Zoom that includes simultaneous interpretation or should we include remote simultaneous interpretation technique in our offer? In that case, how many participants you would expect and how many of the participants would need interpretation?
A: We have a Zoom version that includes simultaneous interpretation. - Q: Are the interpreters expected to be remote (at home, a hub etc.) or at a client’s premises?
A: The interpreters are expected to be at home. - Q: You mention in total 3-4 webinars, do you have a specific timetable for the other webinars already and are the language combinations known? We can only reserve interpreters, when the exact or even approximate (expected dates, approximated hours) times are known.
A: Unfortunately, now we cannot estimate exactly the number of webinars nor the timetable. The language combinations for all the webinars is English-Russian-English. Approximate duration of webinars is 2-3 hours. - Q: Under “Quotation Contest” you mention “list of company references”. Please specify what kind of information should be given of the references and how many references are sufficient?
A: The company may list any references it deems appropriate for this call for tenders. The amount can be decided by the company itself. - Q: In the RFQ you mention “simultaneous translation” couple of times:
- on page 1 “All webinars will have simultaneous translation”
- on page 5, “Language: English-Russian (simultaneous translation)”10Can you please specify in detail what kind of service this is referring to? The term “simultaneous translation” is not commonly used within translation business, so we need to know exactly what kind of service you are requesting. Translation is not normally created “simultaneously” during a speech. Instead, a standard translation is always made of a written document and delivered in electronic format (for example, as an editable Word file or a PDF file).
A: Mentioning “simultaneous translation” we meant “simultaneous interpretation”. - 10. Q: If you require standard translation services, which language pairs are included? Is it English to Russian and Russian to English? Do you need any other language pairs?
A: Requiring translation services we included English to Russian and Russian to English. We do not need any other language pairs.11. Q: What are the volumes for translation per each language pair (standard pages, 1560 characters including spaces)?
A: Unfortunately, now we cannot estimate exactly the scope of written translation.12. Q: Do you only need translation for the Webinar or is there need for any other translation service between the webinars? If you also need other translation services, please specify which language pairs are included and what the volume is?
A: We need only translation for the webinars.13. Q: What is the format of the translation files? Are they editable or do they require technical work in form of conversion or pre/post-editing of publishing file format (InDesign), for example?
A: The translation files are mainly in pptx or in word format. There can be some files in pdf, which would require technical work in form of conversion or pre/post-editing of publishing file format (InDesign).14. Q: If technical work is required, can we give a separate (hourly) price for that and normal translation price for editable source texts in Word format? This would be cost effective: you would not need to pay for technical work if the translation files are mostly in editable Word format.
A: Yes, you can.15. Q: Please confirm if the translation page is calculated according to the industry standard: 1560 characters with spaces?
A: Yes, the translation page is calculated according to the industry standard: 1560 characters with spaces.16. Q: Under “Quotation Contest” you mention “Total work cost (VAT 0 %)”. Please note that this can only be given if we know exactly what is included (i.e. the number of webinars, length, languages included, number and format of translation pages, language pairs etc.). If the total scope of the work is not specified both for interpretation and translation, we cannot give the total work cost. For translations, we can only give the unit price (pre page and/or per hour) and the actual price for translation is confirmed when the translatable material is delivered to us.
A: Please give unit price (per page and per hour)17. Q: Please specify how the Quality is evaluated? Under “Evaluation Criteria” it is stated that “The factors to be assessed in terms of quality are: Personnel references 60%”. What are these “personnel references”? Are they same as the “company references” mentioned earlier in the RFQ? If not, please specify in detail what kind information should be given about “personnel references”?
A: References are the company’s references, but also to the references of the persons whom the company designates in the offer to carry out the actual interpretation work in the requested webinars.18. Q: Can you please specify what is meant by “the method of implementation” under “Quotation Contest”? Is this referring to only the simultaneous interpretation part of the quotation?
A: Yes, this means a method. For example, the company can specify in the offer how many interpreters it will use in the webinar.19. Q:Are you asking for 2 separate quotes, one for interpreting and another for written translations?
A: We are asking for one quote with unit process for interpreting and written translation.20. Q: Could you please specify what is the volume of the materials to be translated, and their deadline?
A: Unfortunately, now we cannot estimate exactly the scope of written translation. The deadline for the 1st webinar is May 18, 2021. Unfortunately, now we cannot estimate exactly the total number of webinars nor the timetable.21. Q: Is the interpreting going to happen in Zoom as well (you have the Zoom’s interpreting property and technical set-up available), or do you need interpreting platform as well?
A: The interpreting is going to happen in Zoom as well. We have the Zoom’s interpreting property and technical set-up available.22. Q: In the agenda you mention English-Russian (not in the RQF itself). Does this language combination apply for both interpreting and translation services?
A: English-Russian-English language combination applies for both interpreting and translation services.23. Q: Is any interpreting/translation going to be into English, or only into Russian?
A: Interpreting/translation is going to be both from English into Russian and from Russian into English24. Q: What do you mean with the method of implementation?
A: For example, the company can specify in the offer how many interpreters it will use in the webinar.25. Q:Does the price of interpretation per person mean per interpreter? (Or per attendant?)
A: The price of interpretation per person means per interpreter.26. Q: What kind of signing statement do you need?
A: It must be verified that the person has the right to sign the offer on behalf of the company.27. Q: How do you measure/compare the requested quality references?
A: The evaluation team reviews the offers, scores the offers and compares them.28. Q: By personnel references do you mean references (cvs?) of interpreters and translators?
A: Yes.29.Q: How many company references do you need?
A: The amount can be decided by the company itself.