American Sign Language Interpreter Service

The Texas Office of the Governor (OOG), through Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 301-24-04118, is seeking qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services for statewide use across various divisions. The procurement requires Advanced or Master level interpreters certified by either the Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) or Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), who will provide interpretation services for webinars, meetings, and constituent announcements. Proposals are due on January 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, with an initial contract term running through August 31, 2026, and potential for three 12-month renewals through August 31, 2029. The OOG estimates an annual service volume of 356 hours for in-person interpretation and 60 hours for virtual services, primarily at the Texas State Capitol and State Insurance Building in Austin. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: Company Information/Financial Responsibility (10%), Experience/Qualifications/References (20%), Proposal Content and Responsiveness (35%), and Compensation (35%).

The procurement includes Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting opportunities under NIGP Class 961 for Sign Language Services (961-67) and Interpreter Services (961-92), requiring respondents to complete a comprehensive HUB Subcontracting Plan demonstrating good faith efforts to engage certified HUB vendors. The statewide HUB goals for services are set at 26.0%. The OOG is transitioning from a current CSSA contract and will establish this as their first direct RFP for these services, meaning current CSSA contractors must respond to continue providing services. This is an enrollment contract with no set number of vendors, as the OOG aims to maximize statewide coverage. The maximum contract amount for the initial performance period is $32,000, with services compensated based on hourly rates that account for interpreter level, service timing, and travel requirements. Vendors must demonstrate financial stability and comply with various state contracting requirements, including anti-corruption certifications and conflict of interest disclosures.