Solicitation #UB-26-SB-23 CART Services

The University of Baltimore is soliciting bids for a four-year indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide on-site and remote Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART), video captioning, and transcription services on an as-needed basis, with an additional option to extend the contract for up to four more years. The total contract value is capped at $199,999 over the entire period, with no guaranteed minimums, and funding is restricted unless amended. Services must be delivered at University premises or remotely, with performance evaluated based on technical merit, including experience in real-time captioning, responsiveness to emergency requests, and adherence to the Scope of Work outlined in the solicitation and its appendices. Contractors must submit detailed proposals through the Bid Locker portal, including a company profile, experience and reference form, pricing structure, and proof of insurance, all in PDF format, with no compressed files permitted. Pricing is fixed at $1,000 per hour for CART services and $500 per hour for transcription, with premium rates for evening and weekend work. The University will assess proposals using a trade-off approach, prioritizing technical capability over cost, and will only consider offers that fully comply with all requirements including accessibility standards, Maryland law, and the requirement to maintain a dedicated account manager as the primary point of contact. Contractors must meet strict compliance obligations, including adherence to the Maryland Living Wage Law, compliance with Minority Business Enterprise subcontracting goals, and the prohibition of hiring state employees whose duties relate to the contract. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability, business automobile liability, and workers’ compensation coverage with an insurer rated A- or higher in Best’s Insurance Guide, and the University must be named as an additional insured. All records must be retained for three years after final payment, and financial disclosure is required if the contract exceeds $200,000, triggering additional reporting under Maryland’s ethics and political contribution laws. Deliverables must materially conform to specifications—meaning they must be fully functional and meet intended performance standards—and acceptance is determined solely by the University upon receipt. Contractors are given five business days to correct any non-conforming deliverables. Subcontracting is permitted only with prior approval, and subcontractors must meet the same insurance and compliance standards as the prime contractor. Emergency response capability and adherence to all appendices, including a sample contract and solicitation terms, are mandatory for proposal acceptance. Proposals are due by June 18, 2026, and must be