RFP Interpretation and Translation Services

The City of Fort Worth, Texas Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals under RFP 27-0001 for interpretation and translation services for City departments on an as-needed basis, with proposals due December 3, 2026. A 30% small business participation goal carries up to 20 of 100 evaluation points. Small businesses count toward that goal only if they hold certification from a City Manager-approved organization and are located in Tarrant, Wise, Johnson, Parker, or Denton County. Bidders that submit an incomplete Small Business Utilization Form, or fail to provide valid certifications for every listed small business, may receive zero points for that criterion.

The contract is an annual agreement covering on-site spoken-language interpretation, sign language interpretation, video remote interpreting, written translation, transcription, captioning, and CART in 21 languages. Services must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a toll-free telephone interpretation line. Required locations include Municipal Court, City Hall, libraries, and community centers. Routine on-site interpretation is due within 48 hours of request, routine written translations of 20 or fewer pages within five business days, and expedited translations within one day. Court interpreters must meet Texas Judicial Branch Certification Commission requirements, and the contractor must hold credentials from organizations such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the American Translators Association. The contractor must protect confidential information, prohibit uploads to artificial intelligence systems without written authorization, comply with HIPAA and ADA, provide emergency services during disasters and public safety events, and submit monthly performance reports. Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit, statutory workers' compensation, and professional liability of $1 million per claim and aggregate.

Proposals will be evaluated on a best-value basis across cost (up to 20 points), bidder experience and qualifications (up to 25 points), delivery and response time (up to 10 points), technological capability and security (up to 25 points), and small business participation (up to 20 points). The initial term is one year, with automatic renewal for up to four additional one-year periods unless either party gives 90 days' written notice of non-renewal. Proposals must be firm-priced in U.S. dollars, exclude taxes, and carry net 30 payment terms. Bidders must indicate willingness to extend contract terms and pricing to other governmental entities participating in cooperative purchasing. Submission is through the Euna Portal at fortworthtexas.bonfirehub.com. Bidders that list no deviations on the deviations form will be deemed to accept the draft Vendor Services Agreement and RFP in full.