In-Person Language Interpreting and VRI Services DC260032

The California Department of Education is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for In-Person Language Interpreting and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) Services (DC260032) to support the Diagnostic Center, Central California located in Fresno County. The solicitation seeks qualified contractors to provide foreign language interpreting services on an as-needed basis for 12 languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Hmong, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. In-person services will be delivered at 1818 West Ashlan Avenue, Fresno, CA 93705, while VRI services will be performed remotely via videoconference, webinar, Zoom, chat, or telephone. The contract period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods extending through September 30, 2029. All interpreters must meet one of two qualification criteria: at least two years of experience and 40 hours of training in the specified language, or possession of a professional language interpreting degree, Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters certification, Judicial Council interpreting certificate, or State Personnel Board interpreting certificate. Contractors must maintain a minimum of two qualified interpreters per language throughout the contract term, and all-inclusive non-emergency hourly rates must cover labor, travel, transportation, fuel, parking, equipment, taxes, certifications, permits, licenses, and insurance, with a minimum of $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage required. Award will be based on the lowest average non-emergency hourly rate for in-person interpreting services across three bid forms, with VRI rates and emergency rates excluded from award consideration. Sealed bids are due by April 7, 2026, at 12:00 pm PST, with public bid opening scheduled for April 9, 2026, at 10:00 am PST. Questions and Answers Document #1 and Addendum #1 were posted on March 27, 2026.

This solicitation is exempt from Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirements but offers a 5% small business preference and DVBE incentive options to eligible organizations. The current incumbent contractor is Homeland Language Services, whose existing rate information is available for reference. No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed by the issuing agency. Bidders must provide proof of current commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage, along with comprehensive certifications regarding discrimination compliance, Darfur Contracting Act requirements, and cyber security. Contract contingency provisions apply based on availability of federal and state funds, and the state reserves the right to terminate the contract with 30 days' notice or immediately for cause. Interpreters may be submitted by bidders for both on-site services and VRI-only services, with copies of interpreter certifications required at the time of bid submission as specified in Article XII of the Bid Submission Requirements.