UNSPSC 52161562: Language translation device

Electronic device that is capable of translating phrases and single words including meaning of the words.

UNSPSC 52161562 Language translation device (Commodity) spans real-time captioning, sign language interpretation, and multi-language translation and interpretation services that state and local governments procure to support deaf, hard of hearing, and non-English-speaking populations across correctional facilities, health care systems, courts, and general government operations. State and local buyers issuing under this code include state corrections and health departments, county governments, school districts, regional cooperative purchasing entities, and special-purpose districts. Recent solicitations show California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and Cook County Government as active repeat buyers, with both seeking comprehensive interpretation and captioning coverage across in-person and remote modalities. The work encompasses Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services, American Sign Language interpretation, consecutive and simultaneous spoken-language interpretation in multiple languages, written translation meeting ISO certification standards, video remote interpreting, over-the-phone interpretation, and captioning and transcription services. Vendors must typically hold professional certifications (California Certified Shorthand Reporter, National Court Reporters Association Professional Reporter, or Certified Real Time Reporter credentials for CART work) and comply with accessibility standards including WCAG 2.0 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Recent activity concentrates in California and Texas, with secondary activity in Illinois and multi-state cooperative purchasing reach. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Board of Parole Hearings issued IFB C5613338-D on July 3, 2026, requesting real-time captioning services across 35 CDCR institutions statewide with bids due July 24, 2026; the contract runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029, with a 25% Small Business participation preference and estimated 444 total service hours over the term. Cook County Government's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer issued RFP 2513-11032 on May 5, 2026, for 24/7/365 interpretation and translation services in six required languages plus on-demand support, with proposals due June 17, 2026, and a three-year initial term with two one-year renewals. Harris County Department of Education and Choice Partners issued RFP for Language Access Products and Services on April 9, 2026, with award anticipated June 15, 2026, available to over 2,600 cooperative members nationwide; the contract allows per-hour, per-project, per-word, or subscription-based pricing models. Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative in Texas has re-bid network systems and supplies contracts (NET2628, posted June 15, 2026, due July 28) that occasionally tag language translation devices, though those opportunities primarily address telecommunications infrastructure rather than interpretation or translation services.