Response to Offeror Questions document.pdf
PDF 85 KB Posted
- Attached to
- USD ASL Interpretative Services
- Solicitation number
- 26RFP-USD06262026
- Issued by
- Clay County, South Dakota
About this file
This is a Response to Offeror Questions document for the University of South Dakota's RFP USD06262026 for American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretative Services. The University of South Dakota, through its Disability Services department, is soliciting proposals for ASL interpretation services for fiscal year 2027, with a contract term running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, renewable for up to three additional years. The scope of services includes classroom instruction, academic advising, commencement ceremonies, performances, orientations, recruitment events, and campus-wide programs in both in-person and virtual formats across the Vermillion main campus, USD Sioux Falls location, and virtual university events. The estimated annual service volume is approximately 800 to 1,200 hours, based on FY25 actual usage including 320 classroom hours, 18 advising hours, and 10 university event hours in Fall 2025. Questions were due July 17, 2026, with State responses provided by July 22, 2026, and proposals are due July 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., with anticipated award decision and contract negotiation scheduled for August 4, 2026.
The University expects to spend between $64,000 and $100,000 annually for these services. The incumbent vendor is ISI Inc., which has provided ad hoc services to the University. Vendors must hold Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification or equivalent documented evidence, with demonstrated experience in higher education settings strongly preferred. Key operational requirements include sufficient staffing capacity to handle both recurring and ad hoc requests, consistent interpreter assignments when practicable, response to routine requests within two business days, and accommodation of urgent or same-day requests when possible. The University does not require background checks, campus badges, or safety compliance training. Virtual interpreting may utilize the vendor's own compliant platform. Two interpreters are typically assigned to courses running 50 minutes or longer to allow for rotation. Invoicing frequency is at the vendor's preference, and vendors awarded the contract must complete the University's Payment Works process for inclusion in the finance system. University or State of South Dakota additional insured status on liability policies is preferred for the duration of the contract.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| RFP Document.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Questions and Answers for RFP USD06262026 – ASL Interpretative Services
1. Which department or role in your organization requests ASL interpretation services?
A: Disability Services
2. How do you currently request ASL interpretation services?
A: We utilized a local vendor and requested services ad hoc.
3. Who is the incumbent
A: ISI Inc.
4. What is the budget for this contract?
A: We expect to spend between $64,000-$100,000.
5. Did the University utilize virtual interpretations last school year?
A: We did sparingly, but it was not the primary mode.
6. Can you provide previous request reports? FY25 and FY26?
A: There would be no reports to provide in this regard, since this is the first time we have done this in this fashion.
7. Can you provide statistical data regarding when the interpretations occurred throughout
FY25 and FY26?
A: Since this is the first time, no data would be applicable.
8. How many assignments required two interpreters?
A: Not many throughout the year.
9. What are the average amount of hours worked per request?
A: Last year we utilized the following amounts in Fall 2025:
Classroom: 320 hours in person
Advising: 18 hours
University Events: 10 hours.
10. Is there a current or outgoing interpreting services provider for this contract? If so, would USD be willing to share actual hours or invoices from the prior year to help us calibrate our proposal against real usage rather than the estimated range alone?
A: The hours given above are based on the real hours of the contract.
11. Does the scope cover only the Vermillion campus, or does it extend to any USD presence in Sioux Falls or other satellite locations?
A: Services would be needed for Vermillion main campus, the USD Sioux Falls location, as well as virtual events put on for the university.
12. Does USD require a specific VRI platform or have data-security/confidentiality requirements for virtual interpreting sessions, or is a vendor's own compliant platform acceptable?
A: Vendor's own compliant platform acceptable
13. Does USD have an existing practice for when a two-interpreter team is required for a given class or assignment, or is that left to the vendor's professional judgment?
A. Most courses run 50 minutes or longer depending on the day of the week, In the past we have had two interprets to allow them to switch back and forth.
14. Will interpreters need to complete a background check to obtain a campus badge, or complete any safety/compliance training before providing services, and if so, what’s the process and who bears the cost?
A: No background check needed, no campus badge needed, no safety training needed.
15. Is coverage expected year-round, or primarily during the fall and spring semesters, with reduced or no expected demand during summer and breaks?
A: Coverage is primarily during the fall and spring semesters for course work and advising. USD still has demand in the summer for some courses as well as student visit days and events.
16. What is the expected invoicing frequency, and is there a state voucher template we should use, per Section 2.4?
A: You send the invoice, so your preference.
17. Does USD require the University or the State of South Dakota to be named as an additional insured on our liability policies, and if so, is that needed at proposal stage or only prior to contract execution?
A: Preferably for the duration of the contract.
18. Is vendor registration in USD's e-procurement system required before proposal submission, or only prior to contract execution?
A; If awarded the contract, you would need to fill out a Payment Works process to be added to our finance system so we can pay you.
19. Is this a one-year contract for Fy27, or does USD anticipate optional renewal periods in future years?
A; One year and up to three years renewable.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .