IFB Number: 24-73023-000 Statewide Translation and Interpreting Services-In Person

The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) Number 24-73023-000 for Statewide Translation and Interpreting Services-In Person across five California state hospitals: Atascadero, Coalinga, Metropolitan, Napa, and Patton. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide in-person translation and interpreting services for all foreign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), on an as-needed basis to support staff and patient communication. Bidders must have a minimum of five years of experience providing in-person translation services to government entities and maintain appropriate insurance coverage. The contractor must be capable of providing interpreters for over 50 languages, with specific qualifications including certification from recognized interpreter organizations like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Proposals are due by April 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, with a public bid opening scheduled for April 9, 2025, and an anticipated award date of April 10, 2025. The contract will run from May 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with potential for a one-year extension. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with pricing based on per-minute rates for services during regular and after-hours, including a two-hour minimum service call.

The procurement includes potential set-aside preferences for small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), which may provide additional advantages during evaluation. The Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to award multiple contracts, up to five per location, to ensure comprehensive service coverage and maintain competitive options. Bidders must demonstrate comprehensive language service capabilities across multiple languages and interpreter modalities, with a focus on meeting regulatory standards set by Title 22 of California Code of Regulations, the Joint Commission, and the Department of Justice. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the statewide nature of the contract and its application across five state hospitals suggests a significant potential contract value. The solicitation emphasizes the critical nature of high-quality interpretation services in healthcare settings, particularly for ensuring effective communication and patient care in state hospital environments. Potential respondents should carefully review the full solicitation document to understand the comprehensive requirements for linguistic and professional qualifications necessary to be considered for this contract opportunity.