SD25-00003 In-person American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Services

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are seeking qualified vendors to provide in-person American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Services for California State Prison, Los Angeles County, at off-site medical facilities throughout the state. This Invitation for Bid (IFB) #SD25-00003 requires contractors to supply ASL interpreters with specific certifications from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and demonstrate at least three years of professional interpreting experience. The contract will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, with services available 24/7, including holidays. Bidders must provide interpreters capable of translating between spoken English and ASL, with two interpreters required for assignments exceeding two hours to prevent repetitive stress injuries. The bid submission deadline is August 19, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with a public bid opening on August 20, 2025, at 10:00 am, and a proposed award date of September 2, 2025. Evaluation will focus on the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, with pricing determined through a comprehensive rate sheet that accounts for regular and expedited appointments within and beyond a 30-mile radius.

The procurement includes a mandatory 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement, with potential incentives for exceeding this goal. Small businesses and DVBE-certified organizations are encouraged to participate, and contractors must maintain their Small Business Enterprise (SB) or DVBE certification throughout the contract period. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation, including references, business licenses, and state-required certifications, and must be active and in good standing with the California Secretary of State. While the maximum contract amount is currently to be determined (TBD), the solicitation includes an estimated monthly hour allocation for bid evaluation purposes. The contract will require hourly rate billing, beginning when the interpreter signs in at the medical facility and ending upon service completion. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements is mandatory, and the contract emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality, professional interpretation services for off-site healthcare encounters.