C5613444-D American Sign Language (ASL) Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Services

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is soliciting bids under Invitation for Bid C5613444-D for temporary relief American Sign Language (ASL) Video Remote Interpreting services, with letters of inquiry due November 18, 2026 and bids due November 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. A Small Business preference of 5% (not to exceed $50,000) is available to certified Small/Micro Businesses, a DVBE incentive of one to five percent applies to responsible bidders proposing DVBE participation, and a Non-Small Business preference of 5% is available to responsive bidders committing to at least 25% Small/Micro Business subcontractor participation.

Services cover ASL interpretation for incarcerated or supervised persons, staff, contractors, and vendors in medical, legal, educational, religious, and mental health settings at CDCR institutions, facilities, and administrative headquarters statewide. Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with on-demand connection averaging 30 seconds and contact no longer than five minutes. The VRI platform must be ADA- and HIPAA-compliant and deliver real-time, full-motion video at 720p or higher. Interpreters must hold current Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, or California Department of Rehabilitation certification, and court certification is required for administrative hearings. Bidders may propose on one or more listed locations but must price all service categories at each selected location. Estimated volumes are largest at California Institution for Men (5,000 hours), California State Prison-Solano (3,600 hours), and Sierra Conservation Center (3,300 hours).

Compensation is hourly, differentiated by interpreter qualification (Certified or Qualified Only) and time of service: business hours run 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and emergency hours run 5:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. Each location's basis of award includes a 25% line item for as-needed services. Prices must be in U.S. currency, cover the entire term, and omitted line-item amounts may result in rejection. CDCR may award multiple agreements to the lowest responsible bidders, and may increase or decrease locations at no cost to the state. The contract guarantees no service volume. Ties are resolved by early payment discount percentage (at least 1% with a $50 minimum for invoices paid within 30 days), then by coin toss or lot drawing. Services are anticipated to begin January 1, 2027 and run through December 31, 2029, contingent on California State Budget Act appropriations. Bid package documentation includes California business licenses, copies of interpreter certifications, Judicial Council certifications, and certificates of insurance. The public bid opening is December 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.