Mexican Indigenous Language Interpretation

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is seeking a contractor to provide Mexican indigenous language interpretation services through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for both Northern and Southern California regions. The procurement covers in-person and virtual interpretation services in indigenous languages including Mixteco, Zapotec, and Triqui, with interpreters required to arrive or log in 15 minutes before scheduled meetings. DIR intends to award one contract per region, with bidders able to submit proposals for one or both areas. Key qualifications include having a California location, at least three years of experience providing remote and in-person interpretation services, and prior government agency interpretation experience. The solicitation requires comprehensive bid packages including cost sheets, references, insurance certificates, and various certifications. Critical dates include a written question deadline of December 17, 2025, bid submissions due January 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM via email, and a public bid opening via Microsoft Teams on January 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The initial contract term is 12 months with potential for two additional 12-month renewals, with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2026.

The procurement includes incentives for Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise participation, though these are not mandatory requirements. The annual contract budget is set at $25,000 per year, with bids exceeding this amount potentially deemed non-responsive and ineligible for award. Services will be provided during standard DIR working hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays), with overtime available at 1.5 times the standard rate and subject to pre-approval. Bidders must submit detailed cost sheets identifying hourly rates for qualified interpreters and per-headset costs for up to 75 working headsets per meeting. The contract includes no guaranteed minimum work volume, allowing DIR flexibility in service utilization. Successful contractors must provide both in-person and virtual interpretation capabilities across the specified California regions, with a focus on serving DIR offices and supporting communication in Mexican indigenous languages.