NIGP 83891: Translation Equipment

NIGP 83891 Translation Equipment, an Item code, encompasses real-time captioning services, American Sign Language interpreting, and language access consulting and interpretation support that state and local governments procure to meet accessibility and communication needs across correctional facilities, county government operations, school districts, and cooperative purchasing networks. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers purchasing on-site and virtual interpreting services in multiple languages, written translation meeting ISO standards, Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) captioning for video and in-person proceedings, and associated labor and equipment necessary to deliver these services. The mix of issuing bodies spans state departments (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Texas Department of Information Resources), county government offices (Cook County Government, Harris County Department of Education, Broward County), and regional purchasing cooperatives (Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative in Texas, Sourcewell serving multiple states). California and Texas show the most recent activity, with Cook County and Harris County also active in the market.

Representative recent opportunities include the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Board of Parole Hearings issuing IFB C5613338-D on July 3, 2026, for real-time captioning services across 35 California institutions with response due July 24, 2026, structured on hourly rates for normal and overtime video conferencing and in-person services through September 30, 2029; Cook County Government issuing RFP 2513-11032 on May 5, 2026, for comprehensive translation and interpretation services in six required languages (Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Mandarin, Tagalog, and American Sign Language) plus additional languages available during extended hours, with proposals due June 17, 2026, and contract awards anticipated for three years with two one-year renewal options; and Harris County Department of Education and Choice Partners issuing an RFP on April 9, 2026, for language access products and services available to more than 2,600 cooperative members nationwide, with proposals due April 9, 2026, and awards anticipated June 15, 2026. Interpreters and captioners must hold relevant certifications—California Certified Shorthand Reporter, NCRA Professional Reporter, Certified Real Time Reporter, or equivalent credentials—and all translation services must meet ISO certification and professional standards. Pricing models vary from hourly rates to per-project, per-word, per-minute, and subscription-based structures.