DOER RFQ-ENE-2027-008 In-Person Interpretation Services Request for Quotes - PRF88 Category 2

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (Office of Environmental Justice and Equity) is soliciting quotes for in-person interpretation services under RFQ-ENE-2027-008, Category 2, with quotes due October 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. A Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) award preference applies; SBPP-registered participants meeting best-value criteria will be awarded over non-SBPP participants.

The scope covers in-person interpretation services for non-English speakers in Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Russian, Khmer, Cape-Verdean Creole, French, Arabic, and Korean. Interpreters must be fluent and possess speaking proficiency in both English and the requested language, with prior experience in environmental and environmental justice terminology strongly preferred. Vendors must accommodate interpretation requests up to 24 or 48 hours prior to events, with a minimum requirement of three business days' notice. Monthly invoicing and annual expense summaries (due no later than April 30) are required, along with compliance with Commonwealth financial-reporting requirements.

The Commonwealth intends to award contracts to up to two vendors, though it reserves the right to award more or fewer contracts if in the best interests of the Commonwealth. The initial contract term is one year with one one-year renewal option, for a total maximum duration of two years. Evaluation criteria are scored as follows: price competitiveness (15 points), product quality (25 points), ability to meet deliverables (30 points), and experience providing interpretation and translation services for government agencies (30 points). Successful-bidder notification is anticipated October 28, 2026, with a contract start date of November 1, 2026. All bids must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS, and bidders are responsible for monitoring COMMBUYS for amendments or modifications.