IFB# 25-118 - Video Remote Interpreting Services

The State of California's Civil Rights Department (CRD) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB #25-118) for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services to support investigative interviews, council meetings, mediations, legal interviews and depositions, and confidential administrative interviews. The procurement seeks qualified interpreters and court-certified interpreters to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency have full access to CRD proceedings in compliance with applicable laws. VRI services must be delivered via video remote technology platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Webex, with the selected vendor required to provide interpreters across multiple languages including American Sign Language, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and 12 additional languages, offering both consecutive and simultaneous interpretation capabilities. Bidders must demonstrate financial stability, possess ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification, provide statewide service capabilities, maintain a valid online portal for service requests at no cost, supply three professional references with at least one from a California State Agency, and hold current California business licensure. The evaluation criteria prioritize responsive and responsible bids with contract award based on the lowest responsible bid, with coin toss determining winners in case of a tie. Critical deadlines include a question submission deadline of May 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PST, a bid submission deadline of May 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PST, and a public bid opening scheduled for May 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST via Microsoft Teams. Bidders must submit detailed hourly rates on the Cost/Bid Sheet for both court-certified and qualified interpreters across all three contract years, with pricing specified for each language and interpretation type.

Small businesses are eligible for a preference up to five percent of the lowest responsive bid, while non-small businesses utilizing 25 percent or greater small business subcontractor participation are eligible for up to five percent preference. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certified bidders may receive an incentive of one to five percent depending on confirmed DVBE participation levels. The anticipated contract term is three years, commencing July 1, 2026 or upon Department of General Services approval, whichever is later, through June 30, 2029, with CRD intending to award one contract to a single vendor. The anticipated budget for the three-year contract term is $75,000, though CRD is under no obligation to utilize the entire budgeted amount. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are identified in the procurement documentation, and bidders will need to integrate with CRD's preferred video remote technology platforms to deliver services.