American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting and Captioning Services

Ocean County College is requesting qualifications for a pool of American Sign Language interpreters and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) captioning service providers for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), with qualification statements due June 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The scope encompasses four service groups: National Certified ASL Interpreters (Group 1), Remote Video ASL Interpretation (Group 1A), On-Site CART Services (Group 2), and Remote CART Services (Group 2A). Services are delivered on an as-needed basis to students, employees, and job applicants with disabilities across the College's main campus in Toms River and satellite location in Manahawkin, as well as other school-related activity locations. Anticipated hours include up to 15 credit hours per student during fall and spring semesters (15–20 hours weekly for 15 weeks), up to 12 credit hours during summer sessions (15–20 hours weekly for 5-, 6-, or 10-week sessions), plus testing, extracurricular, and employee-meeting accommodations during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend requirements.

ASL interpreters must hold National Interpreter Certification (NIC) from RID and possess an Associate's degree with a minimum two years of professional interpreting experience in post-secondary academic settings; a Bachelor's degree and five years of experience are preferred. CART reporters must hold an Associate's degree with a minimum two years of professional captioning experience; a Bachelor's degree, two years of post-secondary academic captioning experience, and National Court Reporters Association certification are preferred. Respondents must submit all-inclusive hourly billing rates covering labor, overhead, equipment, materials, and supplies, with no additional travel fees unless pre-authorized. A two-hour minimum applies to all assignments; time exceeding two hours is billed in 15-minute increments. Vendors canceling with less than 48 hours notice incur penalties of 50–100% of assigned hours; the College similarly compensates vendors for cancellations within 24–48 hours at 50% and within 24 hours at 100%.

Evaluation criteria include qualifications and certifications, previous academic-environment experience, availability, cancellation policies, and hourly cost. Vendor questions are due June 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.; College responses will be provided by June 8. Award is anticipated June 25, 2026. Respondents must comply with New Jersey statutory requirements including business registration, political contribution and ownership disclosure, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, ADA compliance, anti-discrimination provisions, and OFAC sanctions certifications.