ASL Interpreting Services PR259003

The California Department of Developmental Services, specifically the Porterville Developmental Center (PDC), is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Services through Invitation for Bid (IFB) PR259003. The contract will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with potential one-year extension, requiring ASL interpreters to provide language interpretation, translation, virtual, and telephonic services for PDC clients and staff. Bidder minimum qualifications include ASL interpreters with a minimum of two years of legal and court interpretation experience, and two years of mental and/or developmental hospital interpretation experience. Interpreters must be certified with a Certificate of Interpretation, Certificate of Translation and Interpretation, or Comprehensive Skill Certificate, and be available immediately upon contract start. Services will be provided up to 40 hours per week per interpreter during weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. Key bid dates include bid questions due by April 7, 2025, and final bid submission deadline on April 16, 2025, with a potential award date of April 25, 2025.

While the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement has been waived for this contract, small business preferences and DVBE incentives remain available. Bidders will be evaluated as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with potential price adjustments for small business and DVBE participants. The contract includes comprehensive requirements for professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate), strict health and safety protocols, background checks, and HIPAA compliance. Contractors must adhere to extensive confidentiality standards, including protecting Protected Health Information and conducting annual security and privacy training. While specific budget details are not fully disclosed, the contract includes provisions for billing in two-hour minimum increments with rates for in-person, off-site medical, and virtual interpreting services. The state reserves the right to cancel or modify the agreement based on budget contingencies, with the total contract value to be determined during the bidding process.