27OSTBH1 | Delivery of Approved Education Interpretation Training | RFR

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requesting responses from multiple vendors to deliver Department-developed interpreter training courses under RFR 27OSTBH1, with responses due October 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions are due October 16, 2026. School districts are eligible to apply as vendors subject to participation and scheduling requirements. This procurement is subject to World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines.

All bidders must complete and submit a Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan Form committing to a minimum 1% of contract sales with certified diverse businesses (MBE, WBE, SDVOBE, VBE, M/NPO, W/NPO, V/NPO, DOBE, or LGBTBE). Failure to meet the SDP requirement disqualifies a response from award. The SDP commitment is mandatory on an annual Massachusetts fiscal-year basis (July 1 through June 30) for the contract duration. Evaluation points are awarded on a tiered scale based on SDP commitment percentage.

Courses may be offered virtually or in-person. Required qualifications include instructor completion of DESE-sponsored training, staff expertise, wheelchair-accessible instructional space for in-person delivery, and technology infrastructure for online delivery. District bidders must conduct courses outside regular work hours and ensure at least 50% of participants in each course section come from outside the bidding district. Vendors must comply with specified technical and operational requirements established by the Office of Special Education and meet performance standards outlined in the evaluation scorecard.

The contract runs from approval through June 30, 2027, with up to four renewal options of up to 12 months each, extending through June 30, 2031. Maximum obligation for the initial period is $275,000. Funding combines federal (93%) and state (7%) sources. The contract manager is Breanna Higgins, breanna.higgins@mass.gov, 781-870-0014. DESE reserves the right to reopen the RFR throughout the contract period for additional bidders. Vendors retain ownership of pre-existing commercial software and prior work; work developed specifically for the Commonwealth transfers entirely to DESE upon creation.