ESBD_494463_1773260225675_HHS0017073 Vendor Conference.pdf

Vendor Conference

Interpreter Training Services for Certified and Non- Certified Interpreters for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

HHS0017073

Vendor Conference Agenda

Procurement Activities

Project Overview

HUB

Questions Submittal

Preliminary Responses to Questions

Closing Commentary

Sole Point of Contact Contact Information

Jeramy Keil, Purchaser, Procurement and Contracting Services (PCS), HHSC

Phone: 512-776-2992

Email: Jeramy.keil@hhstexas.gov mailto:Jeramy.keil@hhstexas.gov

Procurement Roles HHSC Procurement Team

PCS - Responsible for procurement activity

Program - Responsible for project scope, requirements, performance, results, contract management and monitoring

HUB- Responsible for HUB activity

Schedule of Events Upcoming Events

Anticipated Contract Start Date

Upon Award

Deadline for submission of Solicitation Responses

March 25, 2026 10:30 am - Central Standard Time

HHSC Posts Responses to Vendor Questions

March 19, 2026

Deadline for Submitting Questions

March 16, 2026 5:00 pm - Central Standard Time

Solicitation Access The posting on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) is located at:

https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd/HHS001707 HHSC will post all official communication regarding this solicitation on the ESBD website, including the notice of award.

• HHSC reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, or to make no award if it determines such action is in the best interest of the state.

• HHSC may, in its discretion, reject any and all bid responses or portions thereof.

https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd/HHS0017073 https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd/HHS0017073

Submission Requirements For Submittal information please see Solicitation Appendix A: SUBMISSION

INSTRUCTIONS AND RESPONSE

CHECKLIST

Hardcopy Submission, emailed responses, and responses submitted electronically through the HHS Online Bid Room will be accepted.

Emailed responses must be submitted to:

pcsbids@hhs.Texas.gov Only. For instructions regarding registration and use of the HHS Online Bid Room, see Exhibit F. Online, electronic responses must be submitted to the link specified in Exhibit F.

mailto:pcsbids@hhs.Texas.gov

Checklist for Submission Response

This checklist is included to provide assistance in submitting a complete and accurate response to this Solicitation.

Failure to submit the following with the Response WILL disqualify the Bidder from further consideration for evaluation or award.

Exhibit A – HHS Solicitation Affirmations

Exhibit C - Pricing Sheet

Failure to submit the following with the Response MAY disqualify a Bidder. HHSC will review all Responses received and will determine if any or all Responses which do not include the complete, signed (if applicable) copies of Addenda or requested information and documentation will be disqualified or whether additional time will be permitted for submission of the incomplete or missing documentation. If additional time will be permitted, Bidders will be notified in writing to provide the missing documentation by a specified deadline. Failure by Bidder to submit the requested documentation by that deadline WILL result in disqualification.

Exhibit D – Bidder Reference Form

Contractor shall provide a list of trainers who are Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Certified and the corresponding certificates.

Provide any other information Bidder believes is pertinent to demonstrate the Bidder’s financial capability, financial solvency, and capacity to fulfill the requirements of this Solicitation.

Addenda, if applicable

Public Information Act Copy of Response, if applicable

Exhibit F – Form 4109 Application for Texas Identification Number, if applicable. Complete and return if no prior business has been done with HHS or information has changed. Form 4109 is not required for bid submission to be compliant.

Screening & Evaluation Award Information

Screening & Evaluation For Screening and Evaluation information please see Section 15 and 16 in the bid solicitation.

Award Information For Award Information please see Section 17 in the bid solicitation.

HHS Sole Point of Contact

• All communications relating to this solicitation must be directed to the HHSC Sole Point of Contact, except for matters related to HUB requirements.

• All communications between respondents and other HHSC staff members concerning this solicitation are strictly prohibited.

• Failure to comply with these requirements may result in proposal disqualification.

Interpreter Training Services for Certified and Non-Certified Interpreters for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Project Overview:

The required services to be provided are training and training related services to certified or non-certified sign language interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing to enhance their skills.

Scope of Work

Service Description:

Two training events will be provided, each targeting a distinct audience of certified or non-certified sign language interpreters who are preparing to sit for a BEI Performance Test. The type of performance test will depend on the current level of certification or lack of certification of the interpreter.

Non-certified interpreters who are deaf or hard of hearing may participate in a training that is designed to prepare them for the Intermediary Certificate Performance Test.

Non-certified interpreters who are hearing may participate in a training designed to prepare them for the BEI Basic Performance Test. BEI Basic Level sign language interpreters may participate in a training designed to prepare them for the BEI Advanced Performance Test. The learning objectives for each audience are outlined below.

Learning Objectives for Non-Certified Sign Language Interpreters preparing for the Intermediary Certificate Performance Test

1) Participants will develop a basic understanding of etymology and break down words into synonyms and antonyms to improve English proficiency.

2) Participants will identify and analyze elements of reading comprehension, such as main ideas, arguments, and transitions, to improve their comprehension.

3) Participants will name three strategies for receptive interpreting, ASL to signed English, as one portion of the Intermediary Certificate performance test.

4) Participants will name three strategies for sight translation, written English to ASL, as one portion of the Intermediary Certificate performance test.

5) Participants will have the opportunity to engage in individual, small-group, and large-group practice.

Learning Objectives for Non-Certified Sign Language Interpreters preparing for the Basic Performance Test

1) Participants will be able to identify and discuss the interpreter certification testing process.

2) Participants will be introduced to expectations and strategies for Expressive Interpreting, Expressive Transliterating, Receptive Interpreting, Sight Translation, and Receptive Transliterating.

3) Participants will have the opportunity to engage in individual, small-group, and large-group practice.

4) Participants will understand the concept of Deliberate Practice as it relates to interpreting and how to incorporate it to improve their work.

5) Participants will identify patterns of error in their work and develop strategies to eliminate them.

Learning Objectives for Certified Sign Language Interpreters preparing for the Advanced Performance Test

1) Participants will be introduced to expectations and strategies for Expressive Interpreting, Expressive Transliterating, Receptive Interpreting, Sight Translation, and Receptive Transliterating.

2) Participants will have the opportunity to engage in individual, small-group, and large-group practice.

3) Participants will understand the concept of Deliberate Practice as it relates to interpreting and how to incorporate it to improve their work.

4) Participants will identify patterns of error in their work and develop strategies to eliminate them.

7.1.1Service Location(s) HHS, at its sole discretion, with a 30 days’ advance written notice, reserves the right to change, consolidate, delete or add service locations.

The training events shall be held via online platform, or in-person in Austin, Texas, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX or San Antonio, TX.

7.1.2 Performance Schedule

The contractor(s) shall hold the training events on dates and times to be determined.

Training events will be held Sundays through Fridays, or over the course of five consecutive days, and all training shall be completed prior to August 31, 2026, based on availability of the contractor and approval by DHHS (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services).

7.1.5 Minimum Experience and Qualifications

These minimum requirements apply to the Contractor and Contractor’s personnel and any Subcontractor and Subcontractor’s personnel.

Bidder shall submit documentation of experience and qualifications with Response, if requested in Exhibit C– Pricing Sheet.

a) The Bidder shall have relevant experience required for the performance of the services as outlined in this IFB.

a. The Contractor must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience training sign language interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. A resume listing experience must be submitted with the bid response.

b. The Contractor must be Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) certified. Current

BEI Certification documentation must be submitted with the bid response.

Additional information can be found in the IFB document.

HUB Contact Information hhschuboutreach@hhs.texas.gov

(512) 406-2570

*Active solicitation HSP questions contact designated HUB Coordinator.

mailto:hhschuboutreach@hhs.texas.gov

Questions and Answers

Questions asked during this meeting are non-binding verbal answers to vendor questions. If you’d like your question to be a binding question or need clarification, please submit your response to the sole point of contact, PCS Purchaser, at Jeramy.keil@hhs.Texas.gov by Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:00pm CST.

Binding questions received by this deadline will be responded to in an addendum and posted on the ESBD website by Thursday, March 19, 2026. At this time does anyone have any questions that they would like to ask?

mailto:Jeramy.keil@hhs.Texas.gov

Closing Comments

• Respondents are responsible for meeting the solicitation requirements, including any addenda.

• Respondents must check the ESBD frequently for any new amendments that may have been added to this solicitation.

Thank You