Russian Language and Logistics Services 2 (RLLS2)   5

NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC) plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Russian Language and Logistics Services 2 (RLLS2) Contract. This is a requirement for Russian language and logistics services to support the International Space Station (ISS) Program operations and on-orbit vehicle for the life of the ISS Program.

Requirements include:

• Translation, interpretation, and language training for NASA and the ISS Program, including United States Crew Vehicle (USCV) as applicable with mixed-crewed missions, (primarily) the Russian and English languages and other International Partner/Participant (IP/P) languages as required, including real-time mission critical and expedited translations and interpretations;
  
  • Mixed-crew missions, in this context is defined as mission that include international crews. Normally a mission (e.g. operations on-orbit) the crew will consist of three to four US Operating Systems (USOS) crew and two or three Russian Segment (RS) crew. The USOS crew can be comprised of individuals from the US, Canada, Japan, and the European Union.
    
• International logistics in support of ISS operations in Russia and Kazakhstan, including office management and administration for NASA office locations, management of Government housing in Russia, inventory management functions for NASA assets in Russia, international shipping logistics, cargo integration at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, ground transportation, and management of the NASA vehicle fleet in Russia;
  
• International travel functions for ISS Program participants, including preparing, processing and completing all required physical and logistical access paperwork, providing an ISS International Visitor Access Specialist , highly experienced in all aspects of ISS Program and NASA policies, requirements, procedures and tools, notifying travelers on current international travel related policies, regulations, processes, and resolving issues related to migration forms, lost or stolen passports, ISS Program contractor visas, and other travel requirements.

This contract is subject to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541930 and $8M, respectively.

The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about February 2, 2021 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about March 4, 2021.

All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

The successful bidder shall establish working relationships with the IP and with other businesses/organizations in Russia that are crucial to smooth and efficient operations in Russia (customs, shipping, transportation entities, housing entities, etc.). Additionally, the successful bidder shall have an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the inherent safety challenges with performing language and logistics services in Russia and Kazakhstan.

The successful bidder shall obtain and maintain Foreign Company Accreditation required by Russian Federation law to do business in the country and meet all requirements for U.S. Department of State approvals and clearance. The interpreters, translators and language trainers shall have a high-level of skill and in-depth understanding on all aspects of the ISS Program, including cultural and programmatic sensitivities, required to assist key ISS Program and NASA personnel in communications with Russian organizations and personnel. Interpreters working in the Mission Control Centers (Houston and Moscow) will be required to pass stringent certification requirements. Additionally, successful bidder personnel shall be proficient in the ISS Program acronyms, specialized technical language and terms, and ISS Lexicon and ISS Operations Nomenclature required to provide consistent use of terminology in all language products.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html

If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on www.beta.sam.gov.

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

Prospective offerors are encouraged to notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. All contractual and technical questions must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer, Ulcka K. Patel at jsc-rlls2@mail.nasa.gov not later than February 11, 2021 at 5 p.m. CST. Telephone questions will not be accepted.