Written Translation Service IFB #C16-29917

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #C16-29917) for Written Translation Services, seeking a contractor to provide translation of written materials from English into multiple languages, including Armenian, Spanish, Tagalog, and potentially Cambodian, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. The translation services will cover various document types such as publications, forms, letters, fact sheets, reports, and brochures, to be completed on an as-needed basis. Bidders must submit per-word pricing for each language, with expedited 5-day turnaround services priced at 1.5 times the standard rate. The bid submission deadline is May 12, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., with bid opening the same day, and an anticipated award date of May 23, 2016. Contractors must provide proof of current insurance with liability coverage of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 aggregate, and demonstrate that their translators have passed evaluation of translation skills. The evaluation will likely consider pricing, language capabilities, turnaround time, and compliance with specified requirements.

The procurement includes significant small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) participation incentives, with a 25% goal for certified Small Business participation and a 3% goal for DVBE participation. Bidders can receive additional incentive calculations by including DVBE participation, with incentive levels ranging from 1% to 5% based on committed DVBE involvement. The contract will run from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2019, with an anticipated total budget of approximately $45,000 for the three-year period. To qualify for incentives, bidders must be either a certified DVBE themselves or commit to using DVBE subcontractors that perform a "commercially useful function" as defined by Military and Veterans Code. All DVBE firms must be certified through the Department of General Services Office of Small Business and DVBE Services, and the maximum allowable preference is capped at $50,000 for a single bid, with combined preferences not exceeding $100,000.