Sign Language Interpreter Screening Redesign

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is seeking a contractor to comprehensively redesign its Sign Language Interpreter Screening Program through a procurement opportunity located in Suffolk County. The project requires a vendor with native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language who can develop a Deaf-centric, intersectional approach to identifying entry-level interpreter characteristics. Specific deliverables include redesigning screening materials, rubrics, metrics, analytic tools, and user guides for evaluating interpreters. The project will be conducted in five distinct phases: Research (6 months), Analysis/Report/Rubric (6 months), Design (1 year), Implementation (6 months), and Documentation (6 months). A virtual bidder's conference is scheduled for February 26, 2025, with proposal responses due March 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The evaluation matrix uses a 100-point scoring system that emphasizes experience with linguistic and interpreting research in diverse Deaf communities (20 points), background in interpreter assessment (20 points), project schedule feasibility (15 points), relevant experience (15 points), price proposal (20 points), and prompt pay discount (10 points).

The procurement falls under the Small Business Purchasing Program, which provides preference to eligible small businesses with their principal place of business in Massachusetts. Contractors must comply with Supplier Diversity Program requirements, which mandate at least 1% of contract value be spent with certified diverse business partners. The total procurement value is $150,000 for the initial contract term, which runs from April 14, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with potential three one-year renewal options that could extend the contract through June 30, 2030. Eligible organizations must demonstrate extensive experience in interpreter testing and research with diverse Deaf communities, with a focus on creating screening materials that are more reflective of current community needs. While MCDHH will handle implementation aspects, the selected vendor will be responsible for the comprehensive redesign components. The procurement encourages participation from minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disability-owned businesses, with additional points potentially awarded for prompt payment discounts and diverse business certifications.