American Sign Language for the Maryland Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program

The Maryland Department of Health, specifically the Office of Children and Youth with Specific Health Care Needs, is seeking a vendor to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services for the Maryland Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program. The procurement is structured as a fixed-price contract requiring a minimum of 40 hours of ASL interpretation services from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Vendor qualifications include three references from the past five years demonstrating ASL interpretation experience and certification by the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. The contractor will be responsible for providing interpretation services for MD-EHDI Advisory Council meetings, including pre and post meetings, ad hoc meetings (with three business days' notice), and state and jurisdiction meetings. Bids must be submitted electronically through eMMA by 2:00 PM EST on April 28, 2025, with the contract to be awarded to the responsible and responsive bidder offering the lowest cost. Evaluation will focus on the vendor's ability to meet minimum qualifications, interpretation experience, and overall cost-effectiveness. The solicitation emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive and professional ASL interpretation services to support the EHDI Program's communication needs.

The State of Maryland actively encourages participation from minority business enterprises in this procurement process, suggesting potential set-aside or preference considerations for disadvantaged business entities. While specific award value details are not explicitly stated in the documentation, the contract appears to be a fixed-price agreement for professional interpretation services. The procurement is managed by the Prevention and Health Program Administration within the Maryland Department of Health, indicating a structured and formal acquisition process. No incumbent vendor information is provided in the available documentation. The contract's focus on ASL interpretation services suggests a specialized requirement that may limit the pool of qualified respondents to those with specific certifications and professional experience in deaf communication services. The procurement represents an opportunity for qualified ASL interpretation professionals or firms to support the state's healthcare communication needs, particularly in the context of early hearing detection and intervention programs.