IFB #25-007 - Translation Services (Departmental)

The California Secretary of State is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive translation services through Invitation for Bid (IFB) #25-007, which covers translation needs for departmental documents and materials. The solicitation requires translation services for eleven standard languages (Chinese Traditional, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese) and potential additional minority languages, with services to be delivered on an as-needed basis. Translators must possess a minimum of seven years of translation experience, including five years in government contracting. The contract term is anticipated to span twelve months from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Key procurement dates include May 14, 2025, for IFB availability, May 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. for bid submission deadline, and June 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. for bid opening. Award evaluation will focus on the lowest-cost responsive and responsible bidder, with cost assessments based on rates for written translations, telephonic translations, translation support services, ADA compliance services, and interpretation services. Bidders must submit comprehensive attachments including certifications, references, insurance documentation, and compliance forms.

The procurement includes a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal, though no DVBE incentive will be applied to the evaluation. Potential bidders must meet strict qualifications and provide detailed documentation demonstrating capability. The contract allows for rush request services with additional charges not exceeding 20% of the standard translation service cost. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract requires robust quality assurance and error correction processes. Bidders will need to demonstrate comprehensive linguistic capabilities across multiple languages and extensive experience in government translation services. The solicitation covers Sacramento County and San Francisco City jurisdictions, indicating a statewide service requirement. The procurement emphasizes not just translation accuracy but also the ability to handle diverse governmental communication needs efficiently and professionally.