Language Services ITQ

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of General Services is seeking qualified contractors for a Language Services Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) contract to provide comprehensive interpretation and translation services for executive agencies and potentially local public procurement units. The contract will cover multiple service categories including sign language interpretation (medical, legal, AOPC, video remote, and on-site/remote captioning), non-English document translation, and various interpretation modes such as consecutive, simultaneous, and telephonic services. Contractors must demonstrate two years of experience in their selected service categories and meet specific professional qualifications, including registration for sign language interpreters and certification for non-English translators. The procurement process will utilize a Request for Quotes (RFQ) method, with agencies selecting contractors through either a Best Value or Low Cost scoring approach. Qualified vendors must first register as a Procurement Vendor with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, obtain a six-digit vendor number in the PA Supplier Portal, and create a user profile in the PA JAGGAER Portal. The contract is scheduled to commence on the Contract Effective Date and terminate on December 31, 2036, with qualifications being accepted exclusively through electronic submission via JAGGAER.

The contract is available to COSTARS (Cooperative State of the Advancement of Procurement) Members, which includes local government units, public authorities, educational institutions, public health organizations, nonprofit emergency services organizations, and other public fund-spending entities. Bidders must comply with various requirements including Lobbying Certification and Iran Free Procurement Certification. Contractors are required to pay a minimum of $15.00 per hour with annual cost-of-living adjustments, maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, and adhere to strict data security and privacy protocols. All contractor staff must be located within the Continental United States, and firms must provide annual System and Organization Controls (SOC) reporting. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the contract's comprehensive scope and five-year term suggest significant potential for qualified language service providers. The procurement explicitly prohibits the purchase of hardware, software, and staff augmentation services under this contract, focusing strictly on interpretation and translation services.