UNSPSC 90121700: Guides and interpreters

UNSPSC 90121700 Guides and Interpreters is a Class code that spans oral and written language interpretation and translation services, sign language and tactile interpreting, real-time captioning, and related accessibility services that state and local governments procure to serve limited-English-proficient populations, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and specialized service delivery in healthcare, education, courts, and human services. Recent solicitations show interpreting and translation services dominate across school districts, county human services departments, state health agencies, public transportation authorities, and healthcare systems. School districts solicit heavily for both sign language and general interpreting services on an as-needed basis; counties and states procure interpretation to support court proceedings, public-benefits access, and emergency response; healthcare entities contract for clinical interpreting in multiple languages and American Sign Language; and transportation authorities seek multilingual services for rider access. The mix of issuing bodies reflects broad geographic distribution: state procurement offices, county administrative agencies, independent school districts, public health departments, county courts, special-purpose district authorities, and regional healthcare systems all active under this code.

Recent activity spans multiple states and regions. Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) issued RFP 24127-ARFPDST in August 2024 seeking speech-language pathologists and assistants for up to 100 positions at approximately $11.64 million annually; the district extended the proposal window with an addendum in February 2026, closing responses March 23, 2026. Hays Consolidated Independent School District (Texas) requested proposals for district-wide interpreting services in ASL, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and other languages, due November 12, 2026, with no guaranteed service volume. Jackson County, Missouri solicited interpreting and translation services under a 12-month term with two renewal options, proposals due November 10, 2026. California Department of Motor Vehicles issued IFB 26-101 for telephone interpreting supporting Driver Safety Hearings statewide, with an estimated contract value of $339,623 over 33 months and bids due July 25, 2026 (revised to July 24, 2026); the incumbent contractor, WorldWide Interpreters, Inc., charged $0.60 per minute. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania issued RFP 26-01 for comprehensive language access services across 200+ languages, seeking a pool of multiple providers with capacity to handle up to 60,000 calls monthly, proposals due May 22, 2026. Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority jointly procured telephonic interpretation available 24/7/365 across 60 most-frequently-used languages and up to 130 languages of lesser diffusion under RFA S-10000-00017152, applications due September 28, 2026, with a five-year initial term. The code shows strong recent momentum across education, public health, court systems, and county administrative functions, with contract values ranging from $11,585 annually (Collin County, Texas court interpretation) to $11.64 million (Hillsborough County Schools) and multi-year terms reflecting sustained demand.