American Sign Language Interpreter

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), specifically the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH), is soliciting bids for statewide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services through Invitation for Bid (IFB) #6000001986. The procurement seeks certified ASL interpreters to provide in-person translation services at various state facilities in Northern, Central, and Southern California regions. All interpreters must be Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certified and will be required to provide interpretation for parole consideration hearings, medical parole, elderly parole, youth offender, and mentally disordered offender proceedings. Services are primarily needed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with potential extended hours. The bid submission deadline is March 22, 2016, at 2:00 PM, with a public bid opening on March 23, 2016, at 10:00 AM. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder(s) for a two-year term from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, with pricing structured in half-day (4.5 hours) and full-day session rates, including provisions for additional hourly compensation.

While the procurement is exempt from Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) requirements, it does include DVBE and small business participation incentives. Contractors must carry professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate, along with commercial general liability and auto liability coverage of $1,000,000 each. The state intends to establish a primary and secondary provider system for each regional location, with the primary (lowest responsible bidder) being the first point of contact for service requests. Contractors will be responsible for providing their own transportation, supplies, and equipment necessary to perform the interpreting services. The contract includes specific provisions for service cancellations, with fees applied for notifications made less than 24 hours in advance. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract will be awarded on an as-needed basis, suggesting flexibility in total contract value based on actual service requirements.