RFA - Interpreter Services for BHA Stakeholder Meetings

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH), specifically the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for interpreter services to support various stakeholder meetings. The procurement seeks vendors to provide Visual Communication Services, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART) for meetings that may be conducted virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format. These services will support critical meetings such as the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, Cultural and Linguistic Competency Sub-committee, Commission on Behavioral Health Care Treatment and Access, and annual Behavioral Health Stakeholder Meetings. Mandatory requirements for applicants include professional certification, specifically from the National Association of the Deaf-Registry of Interpreters (NAD-RID), a minimum of two years of experience in interpretation, and submission of three professional references. The contract, numbered BPM051377 / BHA25-007, will be a two-year agreement with one optional extension year, commencing July 1, 2025. Proposals are due by June 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time and must be submitted through the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) system.

The RFA is open to social organizations and government agencies, with nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Interpreters must demonstrate expertise in behavioral health terminology and be capable of providing services that reduce participation barriers for deaf and hard of hearing community members, with a particular focus on expanding service availability in rural areas. The Maryland Department of Health intends to make up to two awards, with a total budget of $60,000 ($10,000 per year, per vendor). The contract will utilize a firm fixed price model, with quarterly invoicing. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears designed to be inclusive and accessible to qualified providers. The solicitation emphasizes the importance of professional certification, communication skills, and subject matter understanding in behavioral health contexts. Potential vendors should carefully review the full RFA document to ensure complete compliance with all specified requirements and qualifications.