Sign Language Interpreting Services

Katy Independent School District is requesting proposals for sign language interpreting services under RFP #2518YT, with proposals due July 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. central time via OpenGov or sealed mail to the Purchasing Department. Interpreters must hold current Board of Educational Interpreters (BEI) or Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification and maintain continuing education requirements.

Katy ISD seeks both certified and pre-certified interpreters to serve deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind students across the West 10 RDSPD/Deaf Education Cooperative, which includes Katy ISD, Bellville ISD, Brazos ISD, Hempstead ISD, Sealy ISD, and Royal ISD. Services span standard school business hours and outside hours, with specialized offerings including Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), certified deaf interpreters, multilingual interpretation, and emergency services. The district makes no guarantee of minimum quantities or service usage.

The initial contract term runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with options to renew annually for up to four additional years, potentially extending through August 31, 2031. Pricing must be submitted on an hourly basis for each service category: certified ASL interpreters, pre-certified interpreters, general interpreting services, CART services, specialty interpreters, and travel fees.

Evaluation criteria weight purchase price at 30%, reputation and quality at 25%, alignment with district needs at 15%, long-term cost considerations at 10%, compliance with RFP terms and conditions at 10%, past relationship with similarly sized districts at 5%, and other relevant factors at 5%. Vendors must submit IRS Form W-9, Certificate of Interested Parties Form 1295, Vendor Certifications addendum, Pre-Employment/Pre-Service Affidavit, proof of professional certifications, and five professional references. All vendors must maintain appropriate liability and workers' compensation insurance and comply with Texas Education Code Chapter 22 regarding criminal history review for covered employees. Questions are due June 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.