RFI 23-25-MCD Screening Redesign.pdf

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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

Request for Information (RFI) to Redesign MCDHH’s American Sign Language

Screening System

MCDHH Identification Number: RFI 23-25-MCD COMMBUYS Bid Number: BD-23-1067-MCD01-MCD01-83271 UNSPSC Commodity Class/Item: Diagnostic assessment and exam products for general use UNSPSC Commodity Code: 42-18-15 RFI Posting Date: January 13, 2023 RFI Response Submission Deadline: Responses accepted on a rolling basis starting January 15, 2023 until September 1, 2023; Respondents may submit multiple responses

Respondents to this Request for Information (RFI) are invited to respond to any or all the questions in this document. Responses to this RFI shall serve solely to assist the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) in understanding the current state of the marketplace with regards to the solicited information and/or to inform the development of a possible solicitation for a Request for Responses (RFR), also called a Bid or a Solicitation. This RFI does not in any way obligate MCDHH to issue or amend a solicitation or to include any of the RFI provisions or responses in any solicitation. Responding to this RFI is entirely voluntary and will in no way affect MCDHH's consideration of any proposal submitted in response to any subsequent solicitation, nor will it serve as an advantage or disadvantage to the Respondent in the course of any RFR that may be subsequently issued or amended.

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Please Note: This is a single document associated with a complete Request for Information (RFI) that can be found on www.COMMBUYS.com. All Respondents are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire RFI, which are all incorporated into the RFI. Respondents may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA- STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal, state and Suffolk county holidays.

http://www.commbuys.com/ mailto:COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. MCDHH’S VISION OF THE SCREENING REDESIGN PROCESS

3. MCDHH’s GOALs OF the RFI

4. MCDHH’s EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE RFI PROCESS

5. RESPONDENT REQUIREMENTS

6. Responding to this RFI

6.1 Who may respond?

6.2 Contents of RFI Response

7. General Instructions

7.1 Responses Submission

7.2 Additional Information

7.3 MCDHH Contact Information

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1. INTRODUCTION

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is responsible for maintaining the quality of interpreter services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

MCDHH conducts various interpreter screenings to evaluate freelance interpreters who are not yet certified by nationally recognized organizations, but who may be qualified to interpret in certain settings in Massachusetts. MCDHH-approved interpreters are considered entry-level practitioners. MCDHH is seeking to redesign its Screening Program utilizing a Deaf-centric, intersectional lens1 to answer the question “What is an entry level interpreter?”

The current Screening Program was created in 2005 by a Deaf Parented Interpreter to test novice interpreters’ readiness to interpret. Since its inception the program has grown to include several examinations:

• ASL/spoken English interpreter screening: ensures minimum qualifications for ASL/spoken English interpreters’ entering the field of interpreting

• Deaf interpreter screening: ensures minimum qualifications for Deaf interpreters entering the field of interpreting.

• The legal interview: ensures the qualifications for experienced legal interpreters seeking to work within Massachusetts.

• Proposed Expansions o Legal performance exam due to the sunsetting of RID’s SC:L.

o Tri-lingual Interpreter Screening additional test

The two primary problems MCDHH faces that make redesigning our Screening Program a critical need are:

• The Screening materials and rubric are now outdated

• There is no agreement among the diverse Deaf and hard of hearing communities

MCDHH serves regarding what skills, knowledge and abilities entry level interpreters should possess prior to working within the profession of interpreting .

At this time our vision is to hire a Deaf or ASL-fluent researcher or multiple researchers whom we can hire to work collaboratively as a team to assist MCDHH in determining what skills, knowledge and abilities qualify an “entry level interpreter” from the perspective of the multicultural deaf communities served within Massachusetts. This would apply to ASL/spoken English interpreters, Deaf interpreters, and entry level legal interpreters as well as Tri-lingual interpreters.

1 By “intersectional lens,” we mean a practitioner who can train equitably and inclusively, can utilize a diversity framework, and is competent to do so based on lived experience and/or from training.

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2. MCDHH’S VISION OF THE SCREENING REDESIGN PROCESS

Our current thinking is that the hired team of researchers would work in conjunction with a diverse group of professionals and members of the Deaf community to:

• hold focus groups using a number of interpreted stimulus materials

• hold community listening sessions

• gather information to update the current scoring rubric [Note from Jane: I strongly recommend another word instead of “rubric,” such as mechanism, system, standard, etc. for clarity and better comprehension] of the required skills, knowledge and abilities of interpreters needed in order to be approved and qualified by MCDHH.

The goal of these focus groups and listening sessions is that the information gathered would provide a framework to design a new qualifications scoresheet for interpreters. Specifically, we envision that the information gathered from focus groups involving deaf community members and utilizing stimulus material from a variety of interpreters would provide the framework to design a new qualifications scoresheet for interpreters that would reflect the diverse, multicultural communities MCDHH serves. This has not been done before and we are issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to ensure that what we issue in the official Request for Response (RFR) is sound, well thought out, and doable. Further, as mentioned above, we hope to ascertain if a process of data collection, documentation, and production of a Deaf-centric, inclusive exam that is created utilizing an intersectional lens is possible. Can such an exam be developed by a team of researchers to reliably and validly test interpreter competencies?

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3. MCDHH’S GOALS OF THE RFI

MCDHH is seeking information and guidance from knowledgeable individuals, agencies and/or organizations to assist with:

1. A sociolinguistic/anthropological study, the results of which would guide MCDHH in the revision of all MCDHH Screenings to ensure the Screening exams are:

a. Inclusive linguistically and culturally (ASL, English, other languages)

b. Normed on diverse populations (racial, ethnic diversity, Heritage Signers, as well as populations from other countries, diverse gender and sexual orientation, age, rural/urban, etc.)

c. Addresses what “entry level” means from the perspective of the diverse Deaf community in Massachusetts (including all historically marginalized Deaf community members, especially those with intersectional identities)

d. Flexible regarding changes in professional standards in the field (able to be modified as professional standards in the field change2)

2. A future state Screening System that incorporates the following characteristics and values:

a. Racial/Ethnic Diversity/Inclusion

b. Inclusion/Equity for Heritage Signer Populations and those with intersectional identities

c. Rating systems (rubrics, matrices) that utilize what “entry level” has been determined to mean during the research phase of this Redesign Project

i. From the Deaf and ASL using communities’ perspectives

ii. From interpreters’ perspectives

3. Recommendations on how to transition from the current Screening system to the future state

2 NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct

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4. MCDHH’S EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE RFI PROCESS

In the previous section MCDHH laid out an ambitious set of goals for this RFI. To reinforce the scope of the project we are adding two structural underpinnings:

• An unusually lengthy period in which respondents can comment on the RFI, whether in whole or in part; and

• The ability of respondents to comment multiple times, whether spontaneously or in response to MCDHH’s questions

We believe these provisions will promote a dynamic relationship between MCDHH and RFI respondents, and as a result will yield a richer trove of information from which to create the ultimate Request for Response (RFR or bid solicitation) for the Interpreter Screening Redesign.

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5. RESPONDENT REQUIREMENTS

• Native fluency in American Sign Language (ASL)

• Experience with diverse Deaf communities, and/or lived experience as a member or as members of one or more marginalized and/or underserved Deaf communities

• Knowledge of/expertise in ASL interpreting services

• Sociolinguistic and/or anthropologic research background

• Experience with coordinating and facilitating focus groups3

• Access to stimulus materials that would demonstrate interpreters at various skill levels and abilities.

3 Stimulus from subjects not within the state of Massachusetts to ensure neutrality and avoid conflicts would be preferred

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6. RESPONDING TO THIS RFI

6.1 Who may respond?

MCDHH welcomes and encourages responses from any individual, agency or organization with experience in providing and/or testing ASL interpreters.

6.2 Contents of RFI Response

The RFI Response consists of a cover sheet and the body of the response. The body of the response should provide a summary of the Respondent’s solutions to part or all of “MCDHH’s Goals of the RFI” as contained in Section 3.

6.2.1 Cover Sheet of RFI Response

The RFI cover sheet must contain the MCDHH document number and name (see first page) and the following table, completed:

Name of Individual, Agency or Organization:

Address:

URL of Web Site (if Available):

Contact Name:

Contact Title:

Contact E-mail:

Contact Phone Number:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts MMARS Vendor Code (if Available):

6.2.2 Body of RFI Response

1. As noted in the introduction to this section, please present your thoughts on some or all of “MCDHH’s Goals of the RFI” as outlined in Section 3.

2. Please provide a brief summary of your interest and expertise in this area.

3. Do you have any additional comments that will assist us in assessing your solution(s) or recommendation(s)?

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7. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Please note that this RFI is issued solely for the purpose of obtaining information. Nothing in this RFI shall be interpreted as a commitment on the part of MCDHH to procure or enter into a contract with any Respondent.

This RFI will be distributed electronically by posting it on COMMBUYS.

All vendors are responsible for checking COMMBUYS for any addenda or modifications made to the RFI subsequent to the initial posting on COMMBUYS. CTR will accept no liability for and will provide no accommodation to vendors who fail to check for amended RFIs.

Respondents should be mindful that all RFI responses are accessible to the public on COMMBUYS.

Respondents must not include any information that could be considered personal, security sensitive, inflammatory, incorrect, collusive, or otherwise objectionable, including information about the Respondent’s company or other companies.

7.1 Responses Submission

Respondents should respond electronically through COMMBUYS.

7.2 Additional Information

• MCDHH may request further explanation or clarification from any and all Respondents during the review process.

• All costs associated with the preparation of the RFI shall be borne by the Respondents

• All submitted RFIs shall become the property of MCDHH

7.3 MCDHH Contact Information

Please direct all communications to the following contact:

Name: Jane Sokol Shulman Title: Procurement & Contracting Manager E-mail: Jane.sokol.shulman@mass.gov Address: MA Commission for the

Deaf and Hard of Hearing 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111

Telephone: 617-740-1600 mailto:Jane.sokol.shulman@mass.gov mailto:Jane.sokol.shulman@mass.gov