27OSTBH1 Attachment A - final.docx

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Attachment A Delivery of Approved Education Interpretation Training Alternate ID #: 27OSTBH1 COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-27-1026-DOE02-DOE01-133623 The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE or Department) seeks to identify multiple qualified vendors to deliver Department-approved Interpreter in Education training courses to individuals across the Commonwealth. Approved vendors will provide training throughout Massachusetts, either virtually or in-person, during the 2026-2027 school year. The Department anticipates making multiple awards to increase access to training across the Commonwealth and will make assignments or procurements on an as-needed basis subject to available funding and executed contracts. DESE reserves the right to reopen this RFR, for additional bidders to respond, throughout the contract (initial duration plus renewal options), as deemed necessary.

Background:

The Department developed the Interpreter in Education training framework in response to the statewide need for qualified bilingual individuals to serve as interpreters in school settings. In August 2025, the Protect Education Equity Act was signed into law. Among other things, this legislation requires that interpreters in public schools be qualified and trained for the school-setting. In June 2026, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved regulations defining the standards of qualification and provision of services for interpreters and translators for families of public-school students. The regulations establish qualifications for two levels of interpreter- Education Interpreter and Advanced Education Interpreter- and standards for School Translators. Education Interpreters provide professional interpretation in settings such as parent conferences, community meetings, and school gatherings that do not have a legal context. Advanced Education Interpreters are qualified for specialized meetings, including meetings with a legal context such as individualized education program (IEP) meetings and disciplinary hearings.

The regulations for trained interpreters in schools will be in effect September 1, 2027. In preparation, the Department seeks to provide access to training to individuals efficiently to support district compliance efforts.

This RFR is intended to expand the number and geographic reach of training providers available while maintaining fidelity to the Department-developed Interpreter in Education curriculum. All vendors approved under this RFR must also apply to and be approved under the 24MAOSTBH1 master service agreement through Pathway A and must complete the required Department-sponsored Instructor Training before delivering courses under this RFR.

Scope of Service:

Approved vendors will be required to provide Department-approved Interpreter in Education training consistent with the following requirements. Vendors must propose the locations, delivery formats, course levels, and volume of training they are prepared to deliver.

Delivery options: Vendors may propose synchronous virtual training, in-person training, or both.

Virtual training must be synchronous and may not be offered solely as a self-paced course. Virtual delivery must provide regular interaction with the instructor and other participants and may include discussion boards, readings, activities, assignments, and interpretation practice consistent with the approved course design.

If offering in-person training, vendors must identify the Massachusetts geographic regions, municipalities, or service areas in which they can offer in-person training. The Department seeks broad coverage throughout the Commonwealth and may use vendor geographic capacity in making selections and assigning course opportunities.

Course level. Each vendor must clearly identify whether it is applying to deliver Education Interpreter training and/or Advanced Education Interpreter training.

Vendors may propose an abbreviated training format only for participants with substantial prior interpreting experience. Any abbreviated course must maintain the required competencies and quality expectations of the applicable Department-approved course and may be offered only with prior Department approval and according to criteria established by the Department.

Course capacity. Each vendor must state the number of Education Interpreter courses and, if applicable, Advanced Education courses it is prepared to deliver during the term of the contract. Vendors should also state their preferred and maximum class sizes, subject to any limits established by the Department.

As part of course delivery:

Participant language proficiency. Vendors must ensure that participants meet the language proficiency requirements established under the Department’s guidance before registering for coursework. The Department’s guidance identifies multiple pathways for demonstrating proficiency in English and a target language.

Course registration and scheduling. Vendors will be responsible for registration, participant communications, attendance tracking, and course scheduling using systems that meet Department requirements. Course schedules must be submitted to the Department as required by the applicable provider procedures.

Course materials and fidelity. Vendors must use the Department-approved curriculum and materials and deliver the training with fidelity. Vendors must use instructors who have completed the required Department-sponsored Instructor Training and satisfy the qualifications established by the Department.

Quality assurance and data. Vendors must support Department evaluation and quality monitoring, ensure completion of end-of-course evaluations, maintain required course records, and submit schedules, registrations, successful completers, participant evaluations, and other required data to the Department in a timely manner.

Certification. Vendors must provide participants who successfully complete the approved course with the certification specified by the Department.

Districts as Vendors:

School districts may apply to serve as vendors under this RFR. To qualify for contracting through this RFR, the district must hold courses that will be offered after regular district work hours and reserve spaces for at least fifty percent (50%) of participants in each section for individuals from outside the district. District vendors must identify how they will recruit, enroll, and verify participation from educators and/or interpreters outside the district. The Department may require documentation of participant affiliation to confirm compliance with this requirement.

Required Vendor Conditions:

The vendor must apply separately to the 24MAOSTBH1 master service agreement (MSA) and be approved under Pathway A before delivering any training under this RFR, though vendors may apply and be considered under this bid prior to approval on the MSA.

All lead instructors who deliver courses under this RFR must complete the Department-sponsored Instructor Training required under 24MAOSTBH1, before delivering the training.

The vendor must comply with the participant requirements, expectations, language proficiency requirements, curriculum requirements, and course-delivery conditions established by the Department.

The vendor must have the organizational and administrative capacity to communicate with the Department, manage registration and course delivery, track participation, collect evaluations, and submit required information.

Budget:

The Department anticipates awarding contracts to multiple vendors, subject to available funding and the terms of the resulting contracts. There is no guarantee of a minimum number of courses, participants, or compensation under this RFR.

Bidders must propose an all-inclusive cost structure for the services offered. Proposed rates must include all costs necessary to deliver the training, including personnel, curriculum implementation, instructional materials, technology, travel, facilities, administrative costs, indirect costs, fringe, and other related expenses. Bidders should not propose reimbursable expenses that would require payment based on individual receipts unless expressly authorized by the Department.

At minimum, bidders must provide:

A proposed fee for each Education Interpreter course format offered (virtual and/or in-person);

A proposed fee for each Advanced Education Interpreter course format offered, if applicable;

A proposed fee for any abbreviated experienced-interpreter course, if offered; and Any proposed minimum enrollment requirement, or other pricing condition that would affect the Department’s cost.

Fees for FY27, FY28, FY29, FY30, FY31 as bidders must account for pricing each year, including potential renewals. Bidders will have one (1) opportunity to update proposed fee structures beginning in FY30.

The Department is interested in maintaining affordable access to these training courses for districts and educators. Proposed cost structure may be considered as part of the Department’s evaluation and contracting process.

Requirements:

Bidders must possess and demonstrate the following qualifications and requirements. A bidder that cannot meet a required condition may be deemed non-responsive or ineligible for award.

Prior approval under the 24MAOSTBH1 master service agreement or commitment to submit a Pathway A application for approval.

Ability to ensure that all proposed instructors complete the required Department-sponsored Instructor Training and any required follow-up training before delivering courses.

Staff members with the requisite experience, expertise, and skills to deliver the services proposed Control/access to a wheelchair accessible space which is large enough for vendor’s proposed maximum group size, with space and furniture that must be practicable for flexible instructional groupings, if applying to provide in-person training.

Access to technology necessary for providing online format (LMS system and platform for registration) Preferred:

Ability to deliver the Department-approved curriculum with fidelity to the Department-approved materials and requirements.

Capacity to manage participant registration, scheduling, attendance, course records, evaluations, and required reporting through a learning management platform or system that meets Department requirements.

Ability to collaborate effectively with Department staff and participate in Department quality monitoring and evaluation activities.

Established reputation as a provider of professional development or interpreter training to public school educators or school-based personnel.

Demonstrated experience training interpreters or bilingual staff in educational settings, including special education and/or English Learner contexts.

Demonstrated ability to recruit participants and sustain course enrollment across multiple Massachusetts geographic regions.

Experience providing high-quality synchronous virtual professional learning and/or accessible in-person training at multiple locations.

Experience supporting participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and evidence of practices that advance equity and access.

Demonstrates some evidence that they have examined and are working to improve their practices and supports (internal or external) from a racial equity lens.

Evaluation and Award:

The Department expects to make multiple awards under this RFR. Responses will be evaluated using the Department’s Evaluation Criteria Scorecard and applicable Commonwealth procurement requirements. The Department may consider the bidder’s ability to expand statewide access, proposed geographic coverage, course level and delivery capacity, instructor qualifications, experience, cost, and readiness.

Selection under this RFR does not by itself authorize a vendor to deliver Interpreter in Education training. Before delivery, the vendor must be approved under the 24MAOSTBH1 master service agreement through Pathway A, and all instructors must complete the required Department-sponsored Instructor Training. The Department may request additional information or documentation to verify compliance with these requirements.

The Department may contract on an as-needed basis. Awarded vendors should not assume that approval will result in a particular volume of work, geographic assignment, number of participants, or minimum compensation.

Contract Term:

Contracts resulting from this RFR are anticipated to cover services delivered during FY27, subject to the final procurement schedule, funding availability, and the terms of the executed contract. Any renewal or extension will be subject to applicable Commonwealth procurement requirements and Department approval.

Submission Requirements:

Applicant responses must include the following:

Attachment B. Complete and upload with the COMMBUYS submission.

Vendor Narrative. The narrative should address the required and preferred qualifications and describe the bidder’s relevant experience, organizational capacity, and approach to delivering the proposed services.

Course Delivery Capacity. Identify the course levels the bidder is prepared to offer. Identify whether each course will be offered virtually, in person, or both; the Massachusetts geographic regions or service areas to be covered; the number of courses the bidder is prepared to deliver; anticipated class size; and any enrollment minimums.

District Vendor Attestation, if applicable. A district bidder must describe how it will meet the requirement that courses be run after regular district work hours and that at least 50% of participants in each course section are from outside the district.

Instructor Information. Submit resumes or professional qualifications for each proposed instructor and identify the course level(s) each instructor will deliver. Indicate whether each instructor has completed or will complete the required 24MAOSTBH1Pathway A Instructor Training.

24MAOSTBH1 Status. State the bidder’s current status under 24MAOSTBH1including whether a Pathway A application has been submitted and whether the bidder is already approved. If not yet approved, describe the anticipated timing for completing the required process. No vendor may deliver under this RFR until all applicable approvals have been completed.

Budget. Provide all-inclusive proposed fees as described in the Budget section, separately identifying Education Interpreter and Advanced Education Interpreter courses (if applicable), virtual, in-person, and abbreviated experienced-interpreter offerings.

Commitment to Equity. Describe the organization’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality interpreter training across linguistic, geographic, and community contexts. Describe current practices, strengths, challenges, and ongoing efforts to build the mindsets, practices, and skills necessary to support equity for students and families.

Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) Form (available on COMMBUYS to download, complete and upload with response). Bidders are highly encouraged to offer a PPD to expediate payment and provide cost savings to the Commonwealth. Bidders unable to provide a discount can claim hardship. Hardship must be accepted by the team and procurement office.

Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Form (available on COMMBUYS to download, complete and upload with response). This form must be completed and offer a percentage commitment of 1% or higher to a subcontractor or ancillary partner. The higher the commitment the more points earned on the Evaluation Criteria Scorecard. See scorecard for more details.

Responses MUST be uploaded to COMMBUYS. Responses not posted to COMMBUYS will not be considered for evaluation. Do not Email and/or mail responses to the department.

To respond to this bid, please register on the COMMBUYS website. If you need assistance contact the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or (8am - 5pm ET Monday – Friday) at 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197.

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