Captioning Services: Remote Real-Time Human Captioning 2025-IFB-GIT-0041

The Georgia Institute of Technology has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB-GIT-0041) for Remote Real-Time Human Captioning Services, specifically seeking vendors to provide comprehensive captioning solutions across three primary service categories: meaning-for-meaning type captioning (C-Print or Typewell), Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) writers captioning, and webinar/streaming captioning for large audiences. The solicitation was posted on November 4, 2024, with proposals due on November 20, 2024, and interested vendors are required to register and access detailed bidding information through the Georgia Tech Supplier portal at https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=GIT. Potential bidders experiencing portal access issues can contact JAGGAER Customer Service at 1-800-233-1121, option 3 for supplier support. The procurement is specifically for Fulton County and will be managed by Issuing Officer Jeanette Smith, with vendors expected to demonstrate expertise in providing real-time captioning services across various platforms and communication contexts. Vendors must be capable of delivering high-quality, accurate captioning that meets accessibility standards and supports diverse communication needs.

The solicitation appears to be an open agency contract with multiple award potential, with twenty-three vendors selected as apparent successful offerors, including 3Play Media, Aberdeen Captioning Inc., and Access Resource LLC. Each selected vendor has an estimated award amount of approximately $200,000, indicating a substantial overall contract value. Three vendors (American Sign Language Communication LLC, DEAF SERVICES UNLIMITED, and Languagers Inc.) were deemed unsuccessful due to not being the lowest bidders. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation, the broad vendor selection suggests an inclusive procurement approach that potentially supports diverse business participation. The contract will likely require vendors to integrate with existing technological infrastructure at Georgia Tech and demonstrate capabilities across different captioning methodologies. Vendors will need to provide remote captioning services that can be rapidly deployed across various educational and communication platforms, with a focus on accuracy, real-time performance, and accessibility compliance.