26-76002-001, Translation and Interpretation Services

The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) issued Request for Quote 26-76002-001 for professional translation and interpretation services to support forensic evaluations of limited English proficiency clients. The procurement seeks language interpretation services delivered via telephone, videoconference (Zoom and Webex), or in-person modality to assist DSH Forensic Evaluators conducting Sexually Violent Predator (SVP), Offender with Mental Disorder (OMD), Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST), and California Forensic Assessment Program (CFAP) evaluations. Services must be available 365 days per year, seven days per week, 24 hours per day on an as-needed basis across multiple languages, with separate per-minute rate quotes required for Spanish-to-English and all other languages. Interpreters must demonstrate knowledge of medical and healthcare terminology, proficiency in discussing sexually explicit content, neutral demeanor, and strict confidentiality compliance. The RFQ opened March 27, 2026, with a question submission deadline of April 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., and a final quote submission deadline of April 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.; quote opening is scheduled for April 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Proposers must submit 13 required attachments including proof of business licensing, three customer references with at least one from a governmental entity, insurance certifications, and compliance documentation including Generative Artificial Intelligence reporting requirements. DSH will award to the lowest responsive and responsible proposer, with provisions favoring disabled veteran-owned small businesses per Government Code section 14838 as a tie-breaker.

This solicitation is exclusively restricted to California Department of General Services (DGS)-certified Small Business Enterprises, with no exception for other entity types. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with two optional one-year renewal extensions available at the same rates. Proposers must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Professional Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per claim and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Motor Vehicle Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident. Billing is structured on a per-minute basis with minimum billable charges of one minute, measured in one-tenth of one minute increments (six seconds), excluding connection establishment time; DSH makes no guarantee of work volume and reserves the right to omit portions of work as needed. No incumbent vendors, specific budget allocations, or award values are identified in the solicitation documents. The contract is contingent upon legislative appropriations, and DSH reserves the right to terminate services with thirty days' written notice following performance evaluation.