American Sign Language Interpretation

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Executive Office of the Governor are soliciting bids for statewide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services through Invitation to Bid (ITB-DEM-24-25-019). The procurement seeks qualified vendors to provide in-person ASL interpretation exclusively for gubernatorial press briefings during emergency-related states of emergency. Interpreters must be Certified ASL Interpreters as defined by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and must complete Level 2 background screenings. The contract will cover ten geographical regions across Florida, with up to two contracts awarded per region. Vendors must demonstrate the ability to provide interpreters within three hours of request and be prepared to serve at any location within their awarded region. Written questions for the solicitation are due by May 20, 2025, with bid submissions required by May 29, 2025, at 3:00 pm, followed by a public opening at 3:30 pm. Evaluation will be based on the total cost submitted in the Price Sheet, with the contract awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s).

The solicitation includes provisions for Certified Minority Business Enterprises, which will receive preference in case of equal bids. Vendors must complete multiple mandatory forms, including certifications regarding drug-free workplace, foreign countries of concern, and compliance with state vendor requirements. The initial contract term will be three years, with potential renewal options for an additional three years, and pricing must remain consistent throughout the initial term. There are no guaranteed service quantities, and the contract will be limited to use by FDEM or the Executive Office of the Governor. Compensation will be structured with different hourly rates for normal business hours and after-hours services, with no reimbursement for travel expenses. Vendors will be required to submit quarterly reports and detailed timesheets, and may face financial penalties for non-performance, including potential invoice reductions and contract termination. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the pricing structure allows for competitive bidding across the ten defined regions.