RFP language and accessibility services

The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Department issued Request for Proposal #9290 (OregonBuys Bid # S-91400-00016847) on May 5, 2026, to procure comprehensive language and accessibility services designed to ensure equitable access to agency programs for Oregonians with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. OHCS seeks qualified vendors to provide translation of electronic and printed materials, interpretation in spoken languages and American Sign Language (ASL), transcription of audio content, subtitling and captioning for videos, Braille and large print transcription, and Communication Access Real Time Translation (CART) services. Proposers must meet minimum qualifications including professional certifications or equivalent credentials such as American Translator Association certification for translators, Oregon Court Interpreter Certification for interpreters, or Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification for ASL interpreters, and must demonstrate verifiable experience in inclusive language and communication services within public service contexts including housing, welfare, healthcare, courts, and education. Evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale: 70 points for the service proposal (35 for organizational profile and capacity, and 35 for service process and approach), 30 points for the price proposal, with work samples and references evaluated on a pass/fail basis; Oregon goods and services receive a 10 percent price preference. The pre-proposal conference was held May 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM PST via Zoom; questions and clarification requests were due by May 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM with responses issued by May 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM; proposals are due May 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST with public opening scheduled for June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM PST, and OHCS anticipated issuing a Notice of Intent to Award on or around June 26, 2026, with an award protest period ending July 10, 2026. The service proposal is limited to ten pages and must include an organizational profile, service process and approach, work samples (exactly two samples meeting all specifications with translations preferably in Spanish or simplified Chinese), and three professional references demonstrating capability to provide culturally responsive language and accessibility services.

The RFP does not identify any set-asides exclusively for disadvantaged enterprises; however, OHCS requires proposers to complete a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan documenting certification status under Oregon's Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) program, which recognizes minority-owned businesses (MBE), woman-owned businesses (WBE), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDV), disadvantaged businesses (DBE), and emerging small businesses (ESB). Proposers must demonstrate responsibility and capability through submission of a Responsibility Inquiry form addressing financial resources, performance history on similar contracts within the past five years, criminal or civil charges within the last three years, contract terminations for default, outstanding judgments or financial distress, bankruptcy filings within the last three years, current licensure and insurance, legal authorization to conduct business in Oregon, and possession of a current Pay Equity Certificate if employing 50 or more full-time workers and the contract value exceeds $500,000. The RFP documents do not identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor do they specify existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration. The contract term is anticipated to be two years with options to renew for up to ten years total in five two-year incremental periods, with an effective termination date of July 30, 2028, and possible extension to July 30, 2036. OHCS anticipates awarding one or more contracts from this solicitation; however, the maximum not-to-exceed compensation amount and specific budget range are not disclosed in the publicly available RFP documentation. Proposers must submit detailed pricing information including per-word rates for translation, per-minute and hourly rates for interpretation and CART services, minimum charges, turnaround times, and any applicable discounts for rush services.