IFB# 25-157 - Video Remote Interpreting Services

The California Civil Rights Department is seeking qualified vendors to provide Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services under Invitation for Bid IFB# 25-157, with a solicitation posted on June 29, 2026, and responses due by July 13, 2026. The contract, classified under NAICS code 541930, is a Small Business set-aside with a 5% price preference for certified Small Businesses and a 25% small business subcontractor participation requirement for non-small business bidders. The primary purpose is to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency have full access to CRD proceedings including intake and investigative interviews, confidential mediations, educational webinars, public hearings, council meetings, and legal depositions, in compliance with state and federal accessibility mandates. Interpreters must be proficient in key California languages such as Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, ASL, and others as needed, with a minimum of two years' experience and verbatim interpretation standards. Court-certified interpreters will be required for litigation-related depositions, especially for high-demand languages. The contract’s performance period extends from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029, with services to be rendered Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., excluding state holidays, within California. VRI services must be delivered via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Webex, with telephonic interpretation available as a backup. Contractors are obligated to provide all necessary personnel, equipment, and infrastructure, including access to an online scheduling and reporting system for tracking service requests by language and date. The award will be granted on the basis of the lowest responsible bid, with tie-breakers resolved by coin toss, and a DVBE incentive of up to 5% may be applied to net bid prices during evaluation if DVBE participation meets thresholds. Payment terms require invoices to be submitted electronically monthly in arrears to accounting@calcivilrights.ca.gov, with payment due within 45 calendar days of service acceptance. Invoices must include contract number, service dates, work description, and cost breakdowns, and are subject to a 10% withholding on direct services for deliverables with subtasks. Contractors must comply with rigorous confidentiality protocols for CRD data, adhere to all health