Long Term Interpreter Agency - IRB

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is seeking a long-term contract for interpreter services to support consecutive interpretation during proceedings, prehearing conferences, test correction services for interpreter candidates, and quality assurance audits of contracted interpreters. The contract is initially for one year, commencing around July 1, 2027, with an irrevocable option for Canada to extend it for up to three additional one-year periods under the same terms and conditions, exercisable only through formal written notice issued at least five calendar days prior to expiration. Bidders must propose a firm, all-inclusive hourly rate in Canadian funds for each language they can provide, with pricing evaluated alongside technical merit on a 70/30 weighting, where technical merit is determined by the number of qualified interpreters available per language, scored up to a maximum of 50 points based on resource capacity. Proposals must include complete documentation via an electronic submission to the designated point of contact, structured into three sections: technical, financial, and offer declaration forms, and must comply with mandatory criteria including a minimum technical score of 10 points, solicitation compliance, and adherence to the requirement that all interpreters be Canadian citizens or permanent residents with a valid Government of Canada Reliability Status security screening. The contract imposes strict security, confidentiality, and privacy obligations; contractors and their personnel must safeguard personal information, store sensitive materials in locked containers, protect digital data with regularly changed passwords, and maintain strict confidentiality regarding all case-related information. Contractors are fully liable for any damage caused by themselves, employees, or subcontractors, while Canada retains cumulative rights and remedies under the contract. Payment is made monthly upon submission of compliant invoices containing detailed time sheets, release documents, and precise expenditure breakdowns, with undisputed amounts paid within 30 days. Contractors not resident in Canada are subject to a 15% withholding tax unless they provide a valid Canada Revenue Agency waiver. All work must be performed within Canada and may occur either in-person at specified locations or remotely. Additional requirements include maintaining complete financial records, notifying the Contracting Authority of funding at 75% utilization, four months prior to contract expiry, or when funds are deemed inadequate, and ensuring all subcontractors comply with security and declaration obligations. The contract is governed by laws in Ontario, includes an indemnity clause with no implied limitations unless explicitly stated, and requires alternative dispute resolution as a prerequisite to litigation. Offers must affirm compliance with Canada’s Ineligibility and Suspension Policy, international sanctions prohibitions, and a Code