RFR 25-10-MCD INTERPRETER SCREENING REDESIGN.docx

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111

Contact Name: Jane Sokol Shulman

Telephone:

617-740-1600 Voice 617-326-7546 Videophone

Email: jane.sokol.shulman@mass.gov

Request for Response (RFR)

Document Title: Sign Language Interpreter Screening Redesign

COMMBUYS BID Number: BD-25-1067-MCD01-MCD01-112370

MCDHH RFR Document Number: RFR 25-10-MCD

February 10, 2025

ISSUE DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2025

AMENDMENT DATE: N/A

1. Description or Purpose of Procurement:

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is the principal agency in the Commonwealth on behalf of Deaf and hard of hearing persons (Massachusetts General Law Part I, Title II, Chapter 6, Section 194). MCDHH is responsible for maintaining the quality of interpreter services to meet the needs of Deaf, DeafBlind, late deafened, and hard of hearing individuals. A key component of maintaining interpreter quality is to conduct 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. An interpreter who has passed one or more MCDHH screenings is called “MCDHH-approved.” MCDHH-approved interpreters are considered entry-level practitioners.

This RFR is focused on design and consultation on the implementation of a State Screening System. Actual implementation and filming of stimulus materials will be done by MCDHH. Beta-testing of the system will be conducted by MCDHH with observation and consultation by the bidder. Manuals for the screening system will be developed by the bidder with participation by MCDHH.

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.

· Legal interpreter interview.

· Ensures the qualifications for experienced legal interpreters seeking to work within Massachusetts.

This RFR will focus on the general interpreter screening for ASL/spoken English interpreters and for Deaf interpreters.

MCDHH is seeking to redesign our Screening Program due to critical need. The existing Screening Program is outdated and based on a model that is no longer reflective of the communities interpreters aim to serve across Massachusetts. MCDHH is looking to redesign the Interpreter Screening Program utilizing a Deaf-centric, intersectional lens1[footnoteRef:2] to answer the key question, “What is an entry-level interpreter?” The response document should address not only how "entry-level interpreter" will be determined but also be specific on what it means to be "Deaf-centric" and "intersectional." [2: 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.

Our aim is to:

· Comprehensively redesign all the general Screening materials, including but not limited to rubric, metrics, analytic tools, user guides, and related foundational materials.

· Apply an intersectional, Deaf-centric lens to determine what skills, knowledge, and abilities entry-level interpreters should possess prior to working professionally with our diverse Deaf communities in Massachusetts.

· Modernize and leverage technologies and processes to create a streamlined, accurate and equitable Screening Program.

This document contains our vision of the Screening redesign process, the performance specifications, deliverables, application process, and bid evaluation methodology. A tentative procurement calendar is also included. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth’s COMMBUYS eProcurement system.

Single contractors consisting of individuals, not-for-profit entities, and businesses are encouraged to apply, but including collaborators in research or other consultants within an overall application that falls within the budget constraints is allowed. Because close interaction with the Deaf[footnoteRef:3] communities in Massachusetts is a core requirement of this project, it is required that the bidder or key members of the bidder’s team be Deaf or ASL-fluent. [3: Throughout this document when the word “Deaf” is used, we mean “Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and DeafBlind.”

With a redesigned Screening Program, MCDHH will have a better understanding of the knowledge, skills and experiences of entry-level interpreters from the communities' perspectives and will therefore be better attuned to and able to meet the needs of the consumers we serve.

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, ancestry, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

2. Applicable Procurement Law:

Check Appropriate Box (“X”):

Executive Branch Goods and Services

CMR 21.00

52; 801 CMR 21.00; 808 CMR 1.00

22; and 801 CMR 21.01(2) (b)

815 CMR 2.00

3. Acquisition Method:

Fee-For-Service

Outright Purchase

Rental (not to exceed 6 months)

Term Lease

License

Other: [rate contract]

4. Whether Single or Multiple Contractors are Required for Contract:

Check One (“X”):

Single Contractor

Multiple Contractors

a. Estimated Number of Awards The target maximum number of Contractors is one. The Purchasing Department may award more or fewer contracts, if it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to do so.

As noted in Section #1, MCDHH encourages researchers, individuals, and/or other entities to recognize their aggregated strengths by submitting a single application reflecting pooled talents. This collaboration must identify one entity as the bidder of record. The means of dividing the work and allocating compensation is an internal decision outside the scope of MCDHH’s involvement.

5. Entities Eligible to Use the Resulting Contract:

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Defined Entities Only. Any Contract(s) resulting from this Bid will be open for use by the issuing Purchasing Department and the following other entities:

Limited User Contract – Restricted to Use by Issuing Entity Only.

6. Expected Duration of Contract (Initial Duration and any Options to Renew):

Initial Duration

2.5 months in FY’25 12 months in FY’26 12 months in FY’27 TOTAL 26.5 months Contract execution (estimated April 14, 2025) to June 30, 2025 plus all Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.

Performance, programmatic need, and continued availability of funding.

Total Maximum Contract Duration

availability of funding.

7. Anticipated Expenditures, Funding, or Compensation:

Value of Total Procurement:

$150,000

The $150,000 will be allocated over the term of the contract covering activities described in Section 8. Allocation methodology will be proposed by Bidder in its application, as specified in Section 12.

Comments (optional): The value of total procurement is for the anticipated performance period of execution through June 30, 2027. Proposals that exceed $150,000 will not be considered. This procurement falls under the Small Business Procurement Program requirements.

8. Contract Performance and Business Specifications:

A. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF MCDHH’s CURRENT SCREENING SYSTEM

A detailed overview of the current screening process, updated in January 2023, can be found in the Resource Guide: MCDHH Screening for Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators (https://www.mass.gov/doc/screening-resource-guide-2023/download), a document shared with potential candidates. The Deaf Interpreters Resource Guide was updated in July 2024 and is available here: DI Screening Resource Guide w:o diagrams 7.31.24. We recommend you review both of these documents to understand the current screening process.

The current MCDHH screening process for Deaf and ASL/spoken English interpreters has been in place since 1978, prior to the establishment of MCDHH in 1986. Since the Screening Program was established, approximately 800 candidates have been screened. Upon successfully passing Part 1 (Interview), candidates must complete Part 2 (Performance) within two years, or they must restart the entire screening process. Candidates can choose to take the performance interview in interpretation, transliteration, or both. If both, they are encouraged to take two separate performance tests on different days. From FY 2021 through 2024, the passing rate is 65%; 58% for Part 1 (Interview); and 75% for Part 2 (Performance: 65% interpretation; 83% transliteration). Transliteration performance has dwindled over the years. From FY 2021 to 2024, there were only 6 transliteration performance exams given.

While originally conducted on-site and in person, currently the Screening is conducted via Zoom, but still uses a virtual format with live evaluators. Throughout the Screening, there has always been a live panel of three evaluators: two members who are Deaf (Deaf community member and Deaf Interpreter) and one ASL/spoken English interpreter. The entire screening is videorecorded.

Candidates can ask to receive feedback at the end of their screening, but all candidates receive written comments and, where applicable, the Evaluation Team's recommendations, which include steps to be taken before being eligible to re-take that portion of the screening (interview or performance). Evidence of completing the steps can consist of a letter from a mentor or attendance at a workshop that addresses the steps.

Screening results are pass/no pass. Candidates must successfully pass both Part 1 (Live Panel Interview) and Part 2 (Live Performance Test) to achieve MCDHH Approved status.[footnoteRef:4] MCDHH-Approved: Interpretation or Transliteration (for ASL/spoken English interpreters), or MCDHH-Approved: DI (SDI; for Deaf interpreters). Successful completion of Part 1 is prerequisite to taking Part 2. [4: MCDHH-approved status used to be capped at four years. However, currently individuals holding MCDHH-approved status will remain in good standing until the Screening is fully redesigned and a new, updated quality assurance system is in place.

Part 1: Interview ("pass/no pass" where passing is set at 75% or greater). Part 1 consists of seven questions, as well as follow-up questions, some in the form of role play situations, with roles assigned by the Evaluation Team. The seven interview questions, two versions each for hearing and Deaf interpreters, appear in a separate file, found in the “Attachment” tab of the COMMBUYS posting. The interview screens for knowledge and application of the NAD/RID Code of Professional Conduct, appropriate use of available resources, ability to explain the interpreter role to Deaf and non-deaf consumers, professional business practices, communication skills, and professional presentation.

Part 2: Performance ("pass/no pass" where passing is set at 70% or greater). The performance exam must be taken within two years of passing the Interview. It consists of a 30-minute warm-up period, where the candidate views four 2-minute introductions (2 Deaf and 2 non-deaf) by the presenters to be seen in the subsequent video stimuli, which are about 5 minutes each.

Each performance Assessment (whether interpretation or transliteration) consists of four 5-minute stimuli—two with English as the source language and two with English as the target language. The criteria for both performance assessments consider grammar, process, and professionalism. While there is much overlap and a sense that ASL serves as a foundation of both (e.g., basic knowledge of classifiers, role shift, and spatial grammar are in both), the interpretation test screens for whether the candidate is using ASL facial grammar, order, and is interpreting rather than transliterating. The transliteration test screens for conceptually accurate Signed English including English order, English articulation, and morphology on the mouth without intrusion of ASL facial expressions.

Details of the criteria can be seen in the Resource Guide mentioned earlier. What should be noted by the Bidder is the extent to which this prior screening diverges from current interpreter assessments in separating the assessment and credentialing of interpreting vs. transliterating, provides individualized feedback beyond a bottom-line score, makes use of a live evaluation team, allows greater freedom for the candidate to communicate using their preferred language during the Interview, and also places individualized requirements on the candidate to qualify for re-testing.

Through this Request for Response, MCDHH is seeking guidance regarding composition of the evaluation team, content, format, platform for delivery, cost-effective/ineffective practices, and criteria, while also keeping open to unique benefits in aspects of the prior screening that may be worth retaining like varied evidence for qualification to take the screening, the flexibility offered by having a live team that can adjust questioning and follow up to the candidate and the current working practices of the field. We encourage the Bidder to re-think the screening in new, cost-effective and creative ways, with particular emphasis on being responsive to changes in the interpreting field, reflecting Deaf-centered values, being sensitive to issues of race, ethnicity, intersectionality, socioeconomics, as well as geographic locations (rural vs. urban).

B. MCDHH’S VISION OF THE SCREENING REDESIGN PROCESS

MCDHH's vision of how the screening redesign process will work involves MCDHH working hand-in-hand with the selected bidder to yield a new screening instrument for entry-level interpreters in Massachusetts. This process involves a pairing of redesign and implementation. The redesign will be in the hands of the selected bidder and the implementation of the redesign will be in the hands of MCDHH. It is important to make clear who does what in this effort. This is a redesign. The screening is not being conceived from scratch. It is being updated and revised. This means that there is a previous iteration of the interpreter screening that has had over 40 years of use. MCDHH will make this prior screening as well as the data on interpreting candidates who have taken this screening over the past 40+ years available to the selected bidder. MCDHH will also make the scoring sheets and manuals available to the selected bidder both to take advantage of in redesigning new ones and so that they do not reinvent the wheel. MCDHH will also be available to the selected bidder for consultation throughout. While the selected bidder will create questions for the interview and scripts for the video stimuli in the performance part, MCDHH will make available the prior questions as well as hire the talent and make and edit the video stimuli. In weighting the responses on Parts 1 and 2 of the screening, the selected bidder will have access to the prior weightings used. While the selected bidder will make recommendations regarding the composition of the evaluation team, they will also have access to decades of screenings using the composition that is there now.

While the selected bidder will compile the demographics on race, ethnic background, These are the many ways in which MCDHH can support the needs of the selected bidder. The chart in the Appendix to this RFR sets forth the various tasks involved in this project and indicates socioeconomic status and intersectionality, MCDHH has been working with Deaf and non-deaf consumers as well as the pool of interpreters over the past decades and therefore knows how to direct the selected bidders to relevant resources. As a State agency, MCDHH has access to demographic and other information that could prove useful to the selected bidder.

who is responsible for each.

C. MCDHH’S EXPECTATIONS OF DELIVERABLES FROM THE CHOSEN BIDDER

The chart in the Appendix indicates with an asterisk all tangible deliverables that the selected bidder is responsible for.

1) Qualitative Research. The chosen bidder would work in conjunction with a diverse group of professionals and members of the Deaf community to conduct qualitative research utilizing (not limited to) these approaches:

· Holding multiple focus groups statewide using a representative set of stimulus materials as examples of the interpreting levels likely to be encountered. These stimuli for the focus groups should be drawn from interpreters outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,[footnoteRef:5] but MCDHH can provide examples of Screening candidate materials that exemplify the types of stimuli to be used. [5: The Bidder/Vendor is responsible for creating the stimuli. MCDHH can provide examples for use as guides, but these will be old. The Bidder/Vendor is expected to provide stimuli reflecting contemporary situations and topics.

· Holding multiple community listening sessions statewide.

· Gathering information to develop a new scoring rubric that assesses required soft skills[footnoteRef:6] as well as knowledge and abilities of interpreters that are required to be approved and qualified by MCDHH. [6: By "soft skills," we mean evidence of attitude and the ability to self-advocate for needed preparation, controlling the flow of information, and needed resources such as team members, communication allies, props, etc. that will allow an interpreter with entry-level skills to effectively interpret in any given assignment.]

2) Screening Scoresheets. The goal of these focus groups and listening sessions is that the information gathered will provide a framework for designing new screening scoresheets for interpreters. The chosen vendor is expected to provide potential screening scoresheets to guide MCDHH in their final implementation of them. Specifically, we envision that the information gathered from focus groups involving deaf community members and utilizing stimulus material from a variety of interpreters will provide the framework for a new screening scoresheet for interpreters that reflects their ability to work effectively with the diverse, multicultural communities MCDHH serves.

3) Informed Design. MCDHH believes that an informed design that is sensitive to language and socioeconomic variation, as well as cultural identification, should guide MCDHH in ensuring that the Screening rubrics and the screening stimuli produced by MCDHH are:

· Geared to identify the expected competencies in a socioeconomic and socio-linguistically sensitive way to recognize "entry level" interpreters.

· Inclusive linguistically and culturally (for ASL and spoken language users, including community members from diverse cultural backgrounds).

· Sensitive to diverse populations (racial, ethnic diversity, Heritage Signers, as well as populations from other countries, gender and sexual orientation, age, rural/urban, etc., including all historically marginalized Deaf community members, especially those with intersectional identities).

· Flexible regarding changes in professional standards in the field (able to be modified as professional standards in the field change).[footnoteRef:7] [7: NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct]

4) Future State Screening. Our mandate requires the creation/implementation of a Future State Screening System that incorporates the following characteristics and values:

· Racial/Ethnic Diversity/Inclusion.

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

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

· From the Deaf and ASL-using communities’ perspectives.

· From interpreters’ perspectives, to include input from:

· Experienced, certified interpreters.

· Recently screened interpreters.

· Prior candidates who did not pass the screening.

5) Additional Activities, Tasks, and Information: As part of this redesign process, MCDHH will rely on the chosen vendor to determine and advise MCDHH regarding the following:

· Whether, based on the data collected, the Screening Programs’ examinations:

· Should continue with a live panel presentation as they have been;

· Should transition to another format, e.g. Remote instead of in-person screening formats (possibly a combination);

· Should be asynchronous with pre-recorded materials (for the Interview only); or

· Should be virtual, utilizing live evaluators to deliver each question to the candidates.

· How to transition smoothly and without disruption from the current Screening system to the future Screening system.

· Whether a time limit (a cap) should be imposed on how long the status of "MCDHH Approved" can be held before attaining National Certification is required:

· If yes, then how long before the cap is imposed.

· If, no, then what are the options?

· MCDHH approved status can be held in perpetuity.

· Re-screening is required.

· Two levels should be determined:

· Entry-level.

· Professional level (to allow interpreters to become Massachusetts certified).

· Advise MCDHH on how to capture language variation without distinct credentialing in interpreting vs. transliterating. Do there really need to be two separate assessments for each of these?

D. SCREENING REDESIGN PHASES:

MCDHH expects that the following five project phases will occur in distinct stages, with some overlap, from the time of contract execution through the contract term which will end on June 30, 2027. Each stage should be linked to specific tangible outcomes. A sample statement of the stages is presented below; however, MCDHH is open to considering an alternate proposal of redesign phases proposed by the applying vendor. Each phase should culminate with a progress report accompanied by tangible outcomes demonstrating completion of the proposed activities.

Phase 1: RESEARCH (6 months)

· Determination of what the focus groups will be.

· Development of the questions to be addressed in focus groups.

· interpreter centric questions?

· consumer-centric questions?

· Deaf-centric questions?

· Focus groups scheduled and run by vendor.

Phase 2: ANALYSIS, REPORT, AND RUBRIC (6 months)

· Data analysis from focus groups.

· Development of a profile of the Massachusetts Deaf communities in terms of diversity, intersectionality, historically marginalized Deaf communities.

· Determination of what "entry-level" is from a Deaf community member perspective; namely, in what settings would a Deaf community member be comfortable working with an "entry-level" interpreter.

· Determination of what "entry-level" is from an interpreter perspective.

· Determination of what specific competencies and soft skills are predictive of an entry-level interpreter's potential to advance in the field and a means of screening for them.

· Creation of an "entry-level interpreter" rubric.

Phase 3: DESIGN OF A STANDARDIZED SCREENING SYSTEM (1 year)

· Design of a standardized Screening System including:

· Suggested interview questions.

· Suggested scripts for the Performance Screening.

· Proposed scoring system following from the Entry-Level Interpreter Rubric developed in Phase 2.

Phase 4: IMPLEMENTATION (6 months; may overlap some with Phase 3)

· Video Stimulus materials will be developed by MCDHH (with consultation by the chosen vendor).

· If recommended, Role Plays will also be filmed/created by MCDHH.

· Vendor will review the materials to ensure that the screening materials align with the final rubric in level and content.

· Piloting of testing materials by MCDHH (with participation and consultation the chosen vendor)

Phase 5: CREATING DOCUMENTATION (6 months)

· Write-up of the Screening Design process.

· Production of Manuals for:

· Screening Coordinator.

· Screening Evaluators.

· Screening Candidates.

· Production of a document for Deaf and hearing consumers regarding expectations they can have about MCDHH screened entry-level interpreters and recommended types of assignments for such interpreters.

9. Small Business Purchasing Program:

This procurement falls under the Small Business Purchasing Program requirements. The following language is required by the Supplier Diversity Office and Operational Services Division.

Program Background. The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 599 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

SBPP Award Preference. While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

SBPP Participation Eligibility. To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP registered business in COMMBUYS:

1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

2. Been in business for at least one year;

3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SBPP Compliance Requirements. It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP Webpage.

Program Resources and Assistance. Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

10. Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan:

The Supplier Diversity Office and Operational Services Division created a description of the Supplier Diversity Program that is a mandatory inclusion in all RFRs that fall under the Supplier Diversity Program Plan (SDPP) requirements.

Because this procurement does not fall under the SDPP requirements, the mandatory wording is not included.

11. Environmentally Preferable Products:

This language is taken from Operational Services Division’s Request for Response template. Its inclusion here is mandatory.

Products and services purchased by state agencies must be in compliance with Executive Order 515, issued October 27, 2009. Under this Executive Order, Executive Departments are required to reduce their impact on the environment and enhance public health by procuring environmentally preferable products and services (EPPs) whenever such products and services perform to satisfactory standards and represent best value, consist of three parts and may contain an optional fourth part:

Part One is the consistent with 801 CMR 21.00. In line with this directive, all Contracts, whether departmental or statewide, must comply with the specifications and guidelines established by OSD and the EPP Program. EPPs are products and services that help to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, protect public health and the environment, and promote the use of clean technologies, recycled materials, and less toxic products. Bid responses must identify how a contractor meets these goals.

12. Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Content of Bid Responses (Applications):

Only electronic quotes submitted via COMMBUYS will be accepted in response to this RFR. Responses must be sent via the “Create a Quote” functionality in COMMBUYS. For instructions concerning how to submit a Quote (bid response), please see Appendix B.

· Part One is a Statement of Bidder Qualifications. Bidders should respond to and comment on each of the ten Qualifications by number:

1) Program development as regards interpreter testing in a strategic context (required).

2) Extensive experience organizing research-based projects related to interpreter testing, meeting milestones, and maintaining budgets (required).

3) Native fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) preferred; near-native fluency in ASL (required).

4) Knowledge of/expertise in ASL interpreting services (required).

5) Experience with coordinating and facilitating focus groups (required).

6) Access to stimulus materials for the focus groups that demonstrate interpreters at various skill levels and abilities (required).

7) Lived experience as a member or as members of one or more marginalized and/or underserved Deaf communities strongly preferred, substantive experience with marginalized and/or underserved Deaf communities (required).

8) Experience with research regarding socio-economic and cultural issues impacting the Deaf communities MCDHH serves (strongly preferred).

9) Recent successful completion of a project of similar size and scope (strongly preferred).

10) Recent experience working with a government agency (preferred).

· Part Two is a Letter of Application. Bidders should address each item in the bullet list. If a Bidder does not have what we are specifically requesting but believes they can offer something similar and equivalent, please say so.

· Interest in responding to this Request for Response.

· Background and experience relevant to projects of this nature.

· Ability to align with the goals of MCDHH regarding flexibility, diversity, and a Deaf-centered focus.

· Philosophy and approach of the specific Bidder.

· What the Bidder can bring to this project as MCDHH summarized it in the set-aside box at the end of Section A (page 7).

· Proposed schedule of the five project phases over the twenty-six and a half month initial project term.

· How the bidder’s team will work with MCDHH.

· Describe recent project of similar nature and scope and why it was successful. Describe how success was measured.

· Years in business.

· Contact information for three business references, one of which the bidder performed a project of similar nature and scope as the Screening Redesign within the past five years.

As noted in Section #1, MCDHH encourages researchers, individuals, and/or other entities to recognize their aggregated strengths by submitting a single application reflecting pooled talents. This collaboration must identify one entity as the bidder of record. The means of dividing the work and allocating compensation is an internal decision outside the scope of MCDHH’s involvement.

· Part Three is the Fiscal (Cost) Proposal. The bidder will be compensated on a milestone basis, to a maximum of $150,000 for the project term. In this section, the bidder should cite the total project cost and then break it down by fiscal year. Specify activities to be performed in each fiscal year and outcomes evidence to be provided.

· FY’25 – activities and cost.

· FY’26 – Activities and cost.

· FY’27 – Activities and cost.

· Part Four are the required Commonwealth of Massachusetts forms.

· Prompt Payment Discount Form - https://www.macomptroller.org/wp- content/uploads/form_prompt-pay-discount.pdf.

· Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing.

· W-2 Form.

· EFT Form.

· CORI (Criminal Offender Records Information) Form, if applicable, submitted separately to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services according to instructions on the form.

· Part Five is optional. The Bidder may provide additional information that the Bidder believes might be helpful for MCDHH to know. Part Five is limited to eight pages.

MCDHH may, at its discretion, contact Bidders for clarification of information it submits.

MCDHH may, at its discretion, invite a bidder for a virtual meeting with key staff.

13. Evaluation Criteria:

Bid Evaluation Methodology: All bid response packages undergo an initial review by MCDHH’s Procurement & Contracting Manager. Only complete bid packages will be considered for further analysis and evaluation.

All complete bid applications will be analyzed and evaluated by a team convened by the Director of Communication Access Services. The scoring matrix, below, will be used for all bid responses.

The maximum number of awarded points is one hundred (100).

Outstanding, Exceptional, Above Average

POINTS GIVEN:

Average, Adequate or Present

POINTS GIVEN:

Not Mentioned or Absent

2. Has desired background and training In interpreter assessment, interpreting services, project administration, diversity, and preferably research background in socio-cultural approaches to interpreting.

4. Relevant experience:

a. Similar project/products.

b. Massachusetts government.

c. Years in business.

MCDHH will negotiate a contract with the top-scoring bidder. If that is not successful, it will then move on the next-highest-scoring bidder successively until a contract is in place.

14. Estimated Procurement Calendar

(Eastern Time Zone)

Forum: Start date for Bidders to submit question to COMMBUYS Q&A

Bid Opening Date (Deadline for Bid submission)

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

15. Required Forms Successful Bidders will be required to complete the following Commonwealth documents at contract execution:

Standard Contract Form and Instructions

[Prompt Pay Discount form submitted with Request for Response]

Commonwealth Terms and Conditions

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number & Certification (Massachusetts Substitute W-9 Form)

Standard Contract Form and Instructions

Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing

Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer

Bidders may be required to undergo CORI (Criminal Offender Records Information) checks to be eligible for contract execution. https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-criminal-offender-record-information-cori

The above attachments are available as part of the Bid record on COMMBUYS (WWW.COMMBUYS.COM).

16. RFR Attachments Appendix A: Required Specifications https://www.mass.gov/doc/rfr-required-specifications-of-commodities-and-services Appendix B: Instructions for Vendors Responding to Bids / Electronic Quote Submission Instructions https://www.mass.gov/doc/instructions-for-vendors-responding-to-bids/download

Effective June 15, 2021, for all 1) CTR forms, including the Standard Contract Form, W-9s, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) forms, ISAs, and other CTR-issued documents and forms, or 2) documents related to state finance and within the statutory area of authority or control of CTR (i.e. contracts, payrolls, and related supporting documentation), CTR will accept signatures executed by an authorized signatory in any of the following ways: 1. Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper); 2. Electronic signature that is either: a. Hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or Page 2 b. An uploaded picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature 3. Electronic signatures affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. If using an electronic signature, the signature must be visible, include the signatory’s name and title, and must be accompanied by a signature date. Please be advised that typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, even in computer-generated cursive script, or an electronic symbol, are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

APPENDIX

ACTIVITY

* = Tangible deliverable to be included in reports

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

DEFINITIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS PROJECT

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (with reference to the above definitions)

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

FOCUS GROUPS TO ADDRESS RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND NEEDS

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

SCREENING DESIGN:

PROPOSED INTERACTIONS

PROPOSED CONTEXTS

PROPOSED DELIVERY PLATFORMS

*SCREENING DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS DOCUMENT WITH JUSTIFICATION

SCREENING STIMULI

MCDHH

SCORING RUBRICS

TRAINING/ADMINISTRATION MATERIALS

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

MCDHH

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOST VIABLE ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT FOR MA SCREENING

Evaluators: in person, on-line,

MCDHH

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SCREENING CREDENTIAL AWARDED

UPDATING SCREENING MATERIALS

image2.jpeg image1.png image2.png