Sign Language Interpreter Services

The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is seeking certified American Sign Language interpreters to provide communication access services for various academic and institutional events. The Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-003 calls for interpreters to support classes, orientations, faculty meetings, support groups, workshops, study abroad programs, and seminars. Qualified interpreters must hold current certification from either the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), with extensive experience in higher education settings. In-person service providers must reside in the greater Houston metropolitan area, while virtual providers must be located within the United States. The evaluation criteria include purchase prices (30 points), required certifications (25 points), service quality (15 points), service alignment with UHCL needs (10 points), prior higher education experience (10 points), and total long-term cost (10 points). Key dates include an inquiry deadline of December 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT, with proposal submissions due on December 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM CT. The anticipated contract award is scheduled for the week of February 2, 2026, with a contract start date of March 1, 2026, for an initial three-year term with options to renew for two additional one-year periods.

The procurement includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Goal of 26%, requiring respondents to submit a completed HUB Subcontracting Plan with monthly Progress Assessment Reports. Interpreters must carry Comprehensive General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and Workers' Compensation coverage with $500,000 Employers Liability Coverage. Service fees encompass hourly rates for in-person and virtual interpreting during standard hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Friday), with additional rates for after-hours, emergency, weekend, and holiday services. Travel and administration fees are capped at one hour per day per interpreter at the standard hourly rate. Invoicing requires submission within 30 days of service completion, with the University processing payment 30 calendar days after invoice receipt. Proposals must be submitted in sealed packages containing two individually sealed envelopes with hard and USB copies. Respondents must complete multiple certifications, including compliance with antitrust laws, Texas bidder status, and various state and federal regulations. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive service requirements and multi-year contract structure suggest a significant procurement opportunity for qualified sign language interpretation service providers.