26MAOSTBH1 | Interpreter in Education Course Delivery - American Sign Language | MA for Districts

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is soliciting qualified vendors to deliver American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter in Education Setting training courses through a master agreement with procurement number 26MAOSTBH1. The contract seeks individuals, educational institutions, school districts, translation services, and non-profit organizations to provide comprehensive professional development courses for certified ASL interpreters working in educational settings. The eight-module course covers critical topics including educational interpretation, English language learners, student support teams, IDEA eligibility, individualized education plans, disability categories, and legal meeting interpretation. Courses can be delivered in blended or online formats, with a recommended maximum class size of 20 participants and an absolute maximum of 25 participants. The solicitation requires vendors to meet specific mandatory qualifications, including staff with requisite experience, at least one native ASL-speaking instructor, and participants who demonstrate ASL proficiency through national certifications or state-recognized screening processes. Responses must be submitted through COMMBUYS by December 31, 2029, at 12:00 PM ET, with the initial contract term extending through June 30, 2031. Vendors will be evaluated using a 100-point scorecard assessing staff qualifications, course delivery methodology, racial equity commitment, documentation completeness, and budget details.

The procurement includes provisions for the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP), which provides preference to Massachusetts-based small businesses meeting specific eligibility criteria, such as having 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and gross revenues under $15 million. The contract carries no direct cost to DESE, with individual districts and schools responsible for compensating vendors directly under their procurement policies. Vendor compensation will be structured through per-participant fees, and the department reserves the right to award the contract to either a single vendor or multiple vendors. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, vendors must submit detailed fiscal year budget breakdowns and fee structures as part of their proposal. The solicitation emphasizes vendor diversity, with evaluation criteria including points for demonstrating commitment to addressing racial inequities and cultural responsiveness. Vendors must also comply with Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background check requirements for personnel potentially working in educational settings, and all digital deliverables must meet the Commonwealth's Digital Accessibility Standards, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 levels A and AA.