Sign Language Interpreting

The Kansas Department of Administration's Office of Procurement and Contracts is requesting proposals on behalf of the Kansas Department for Children and Families and the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for sign language interpreting services, with proposals due July 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST. All interpreters must be certified or registered with KCDHH under Kansas statutes, with acceptable certifications including KQAS, RID, NIC, and BEI at specified levels (Level 5, Level 4, and advanced designations such as CSC, OIC, CDI, IC, TC, and CLIP); alternatively, interpreters may hold Provisional Registration if teamed with a KCDHH-registered interpreter, or possess an EIPA score of 3.5 or higher with Community-level credentials. This certification requirement is the primary capability filter.

The scope covers on-site, virtual, and remote sign language interpretation services across multiple regions defined in Attachment B. Contractors must be registered with KCDHH and ensure all interpreters or subcontractors comply with the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct. The contract is structured as an indefinite quantity, as-needed agreement with no guaranteed minimum volume; DCF does not guarantee any usage. Pricing must remain firm for the entire five-year contract period on an hourly basis, with compensation for services actually provided. Liquidated damages of fifty dollars per hour may be assessed for no-shows or unqualified interpreter assignments.

The contract term runs five years from award through September 30, 2031, with multiple contracts awarded by service type and region. Preferred qualifications include a minimum of three years in business and profitability, existing contracts with Kansas or other states of comparable size, and prior multi-state implementation experience. Questions are due by close of business July 2, 2026. Bidders must submit separate sealed technical and cost proposals via email, along with Tax Clearance Certificate, Immigration Reform and Control certification, Boycott of Israel form, and Sexual Harassment form. The State of Kansas offers preference programs for Certified Businesses and Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. Payment terms are net 30 days following invoice.