15-496 In-person language interpretation services provided to DMV offices identified in Area 1

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) 15-496 for in-person language interpretation services across Area 1, which includes jurisdictions in Northern California such as Sacramento County and surrounding areas. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide certified and registered interpreters for administrative hearings and State Personnel Board hearings, supporting the Driver Safety Branch and Legal Affairs Division. Required interpreters must be certified or registered for languages including Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Arabic, Armenian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, and over 40 additional languages. Interpreters must present identification badges and swear under oath regarding their qualifications at each hearing. The contract term is from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, with an option to renew for an additional 12 months. Bid submissions were due by April 6, 2016, with written questions accepted until March 24, 2016. The services require a minimum two-hour service charge per date and location, with additional time billed in 15-minute increments at the established hourly rate.

The contract does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The incumbent vendor is Lan Do & Associates, LLC, which previously provided services at a rate of $61.89 per hour. The DMV estimates approximately 2,000 annual interpretation hours, though no minimum or maximum usage is guaranteed. Historical data indicates Spanish is the most requested language, with 384 hearings and 757.25 hours, followed by Cantonese and Vietnamese. The contract requires vendors to maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and professional liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence with a $3 million aggregate limit. Interpreters must meet stringent qualification requirements, with a mandate that 90% of services be performed by certified or registered interpreters unless advance authorization is obtained from the DMV. The services will be provided at various DMV offices throughout Northern California, including locations in Sacramento, Redding, Stockton, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose.