Protest
9 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 99999-SPD0000052
- Issued by
- Georgia
About this file
This is a protest filing submitted to the Georgia Department of Administrative Services regarding an eRFP (Event Number SPD 99999-SPD0000052) for Sign Language and Other Related Services. The protester, Mariah Wojdacz, a sign language interpreter based in Jasper County, Georgia, challenges the RFP on the grounds that professional services are exempt from the competitive bidding process. The RFP seeks to establish state contracts for sign language interpreting services, including legal and medical specializations, video remote interpreting, C-Print, and CART services. The protester notes that a related complaint was previously filed by Ruth Dubin of Sign Language Interpreting Specialists Inc., with a state response deadline of May 9, 2011 at 5:00 PM.
The protester argues that mandating state agency use of contracted sign language providers will severely restrict access to qualified interpreters and create ADA violations across Georgia. Currently, approximately 200-300 interpreters serve nearly 300,000 deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the state, with an existing shortage of interpreters relative to demand. The protester contends that restricting state agencies' freedom to select interpreters based on qualifications and availability—a practice currently permitted—will exacerbate the already critical interpreter shortage and deny equal access to services for deaf and hard of hearing populations served by state agencies.
Text of this file
Thorpe, Octavia
From: Mariah Wojdacz [mwojdacz@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 8:08 AM To: Protests, DOAS Cc: susan.holmes@house.ga.gov; johnny.grant@senate.ga.gov;
donna.yeomans@senate.ga.gov; Ruth Dubin Subject: Complaint against eRFP
To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Mariah Wojdacz and I am a sign language interpreter living in Jasper County. Yesterday I contacted Senator Grant regarding eRFP Event Name: Sign Language and Other Related Services eRFP (Event) Number: SPD 99999-SPD0000052. His assistant Donna Yeomans provided this email address so I could file a complaint.
I would like to file a complaint on the grounds that professional services are exempt from RFP bidding process. As a highly specialized field, sign language interpreting services ARE professional services.
Ruth Dubin of Sign Language Interpreting Specialists Inc has already filed a complaint on these grounds so I don't know if a separate complaint is necessary. The dead line for the state to respond to her complaint was Monday, 5/9 at 5pm. How can I view these answers?
This RFP, if it proceeds, will result in Deaf and hard of hearing people being denied equal access to services provided by state agencies. Currently state agencies are free to choose their sign language providers based on who is most qualified and available to meet their needs. This RFP makes the use of state-contracted entities MANDITORY for all state agencies.
Currently only 200-300 interpreters service the needs of nearly 300,000 deaf or hard of hearing people.
Mandating that state agencies use only contracted providers will severly reduce their access to these interpreters. Clearly the state is unaware of the huge interpreter short-falls that already exists. It is estimated that 10 full time interpreters are needed to meet the needs of every 1000 deaf people. The current ratio in Ga is 1 interpreter per 1000. Reducing state agency's access to these interpreters will result in ADA violations all across the state!
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I feel that if the state is made aware of the consequences of going forward with this RFP they will see that it is a disaserous plan that it will only result in ADA violations.
Sincerely, Mariah Wojdacz
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