UMBOS-2026-1083 Attachment G - General Scope.docx

UPST BID #, NAME: UMBOS-2026-1083, ASL Interpreter Services UMASS CAMPUS, DEPARTMENT: UMASS SYSTEM, Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST)

RFP ATTACHMENT G

INSTRUCTIONS & GENERAL SCOPE INFORMATION

(Consisting of 4 Pages)

1. Organization and Department Overview

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) is a world-class public research university system committed to advancing knowledge and transforming lives. Through its high-quality educational programs, groundbreaking research enterprise and impactful community service and industry engagement activities, UMass harnesses the revolutionary spirit of Massachusetts to deliver an unparalleled student experience. With four comprehensive undergraduate campuses, a world-class medical school and a mission-driven law school, UMass offers a dynamic array of campus and program options to hardworking and talented students. It is the mission of the University of Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office (UMass) to provide quality services to the campuses in a professional manner, utilizing the advantages of economies of scale in reducing costs and increasing quality wherever possible.

2. RFP Overview

The University requests proposals for American Sign Language Interpreter Services for all five campuses and the President’s Office. Awards will be made to companies that provide the best overall value for the University System. Awarded Contractor(s) will be pre-qualified to provide interpreting services to ensure full communication access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in all academic and campus-related settings as needed.

3. RFP & Project Schedule

· RFP Issued – Wednesday, September 16, 2026

· Vendor Q&A due – Friday, September 25, 2026

· Q&A Responses – Friday, October 2, 2026

· Proposals Due – Friday, October 9, 2026

· Proposal Evaluations and Vendor Presentations – Friday, October 23, 2026

· Anticipated Contract Award and Execution – Friday, October 30, 2026

4. RFP Questions

Respondents are directed to submit any RFP questions through the BuyWays portal, and not directly to a UMass stakeholder.

5. UMass Procurement & Site Visits

UMass Office of the President – Unified Procurement Services Team Garret Oliver Strategic Sourcing Specialist 50 Washington Street, Suite 3000 Westborough, MA 01581

Respondents interested in submitting proposals may apprise themselves of existing conditions prior to the bid due date on their own.

6. RFP Background & Intent, General Approach, Scope & Deliverables

Background & Intent The University of Massachusetts is seeking to award the contract for ASL Interpreter Services to qualified respondents to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services to ensure full communication access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in all academic and campus-related settings.

Scope The professional services required will include, but may not be limited to:

ASL Interpreting Services

· Real-time and pre-recorded language and communication interpreting services.

· On-site and remote ASL interpreting services for courses, lectures, labs, workshops, and related academic activities.

· Interpreting support for extracurricular, administrative, and student life events as requested.

Interpreter Management/Coordination

· Coordinate, schedule, and assign qualified interpreters to meet the needs of multiple students, programs, classes, meetings, and campus events.

· Scheduled interpreters must be confirmed in advance

· Scheduling should be done through the approved scheduling process

· Ensure all interpreters assigned to UMass hold appropriate certifications.

· Interpreters must adhere to professional standards of conduct and confidentiality.

· Interpreters must be able to interpret undergraduate and graduate-level academic content.

· Comply with all applicable federal and institutional accessibility standards, including ADA and Section 504 requirements

Communication

· Maintain accurate communications between UMass, students, and interpreters through a dedicated scheduling and client support team.

· Provide timely responses for last-minute or emergency requests, including situations where an assigned interpreter becomes unavailable, ensuring continuity of access.

· Timely responses are defined as responses provided to UMass within 24 hours.

· Submit documentation, service logs, or attendance records as required for billing and verification.

7. Contract Terms, Methods, & Key Dates

The base contract term shall be approximately 3 Years. Within your response please indicate, based upon the milestones, time to complete the project. It is the intent of UMass to begin the initial term on or around October 30, 2026, concluding no later than 10/31/2027, with project timeline to be determined by UMass and awarded consultant during October 30, 2026.

8. Contract Pricing

The University intends to structure the pricing for this contract as Time and Material for the engagement, payable upon the completion of certain milestones as agreed upon by the parties.

9. Respondent Qualifications & RFP Proposal Requirements

Interested Respondents should follow all instructions detailed in the BuyWays Portal for this RFP, which can be found in this and other documents, inclusive, on the UMass UPST Sourcing Portal linked below. Respondents are to answer all mandatory questions and review all “Buyer Attachments”. Portal Link: https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=UMass.

10. Proposal Evaluations & Contract Award

UMass reserves the right to award this contract in a manner that is deemed in its best interest. A selection committee representing UMass will review the bids and select the vendor with most advantageous proposal, using a weighted evaluation based on the following criteria:

· Pricing

· Satisfaction of Proposal Requirements

· Project Approach / Scope of Services

· Objectives

· Ability to meet Key Deliverables

· Respondent Qualifications

· Firm Qualifications/Experience

· Project Team Relevant Experience

· Special Qualifications

· Respondent Firm’s Supplier Diversity

· Diversity Certifications

· Workforce Diversity

· Internal DEIA Practices

· Tier 2 Supplier Diversity

· Respondent References from Similar Engagements

11. BuyWays Buyer Attachments and Respondent Required Submission Documents

Respondents are instructed to follow the workflow in BuyWays in order submit a complete RFP proposal. All of the “Questions” section, shown below, are required to be completed:

A. The following are to be reviewed by Bidders from the BuyWays “Buyer Attachments” section:

1. Attachment A – Master Services Agreement– Example Fillable: The standard University Master Service Agreement (UMass MSA). Respondents are advised to review the UMass MSA standard terms carefully. The detailed scope of work will be referenced in an attached Statement of Work (SOW) upon final contract.

2. Attachment G – RFP Instructions & General Scope (this document): General overview of the RFP scope including dates, contacts, general scope, and site visit information.

3. Attachment G, Appendix 1 – Statement of Work (SOW) Template: General format for service obligations and specifications that all Respondents must review and base their bid proposals on, along with the general scope. The SOW Template will become referenced agreement to the UMass MSA and contain all final contractual scope and deliverables. Thus, Respondents are advised to review this template carefully. Respondents are advised that wholesale deletions or modifications which shift the balance of risk to UMass may subject the Respondent to disqualification. Any requested redline shall be made to the actual text. Comments such as “to be negotiated later” will be disregarded and may also subject the Respondent to disqualification.

B. The following are to be uploaded in BuyWays as a complete submission. Please upload a single document:

Respondent Complete Proposal:

· Respondent Information & Key Team Members

· Executive Summary of the project, endorsed by an authorized officer of the respondent, to include all aspects of the Respondent’s proposed approach and methodology to the general scope of this RFP: Specific plans, or methodology to be used to perform the services. Respondents should describe the ability and capacity to perform the Scope of Work. This should be broken down by task and clearly define deliverables.

· Respondent Background

· Respondents should describe themselves, key personnel, including the names and titles of all daily contacts assigned to the contract, years with the respondent and relevant experience. If applicable, please note where services are to be provided by independent contractors.

· Respondent History and Experience

· Describe respondent approach to maintaining successful partnerships and managing client accounts/account management.

· List of clients and contacts to include public-sector higher education facilities.

· List of the most recent 3 projects of a similar nature or scope of work.

· Provide examples of the 3 most recent similar projects on behalf of a large entity, preferably including an institution of higher education and/or non-profit.

· Please provide a list of Top 3 most recent client examples and cost per engagement.

· Disclose current engagements with Colleges and Universities.

· University Requirements

· Provide complete information for any services, information, equipment, or space to be provided by UMass under the scope of work.

· Fee Proposal

· Respondents are to itemize costs based on key milestones in the proposed methodology. UMass intends to base payments on project milestones. The proposal shall include key milestones and deliverables for each phase.

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