Language Access Services

Background
Montgomery County, located approximately 20 miles west of Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners. The County government is a large and diverse organization dedicated to providing quality services efficiently and cost-effectively. With over 865,000 residents, it is the third most populous county in Pennsylvania. The County offers various services including human services, education through a community college, child welfare services, mental health services, and more.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to establish contracts for language access services to support the County's mission.

Work Details
The contractor will provide a range of language access services on an as-needed basis for various Montgomery County departments, available 24/7 throughout the year. Services include:
- Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) in over 200 languages;
- Video Remote Interpretation (VRI);
- Remote Video Conferencing (RVC);
- Simultaneous Live Interpretation;
- In-Person Interpretation;
- Document Translation and Transcription;
- Specialized services for the Visually and Hearing-Impaired.

Specific requirements include:
- OPI must be accessible via toll-free numbers and applications with a maximum answer time of 5 seconds and connection time of 30 seconds for commonly used languages.
- VRI must support platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
- RVC should integrate interpretation into scheduled virtual meetings.
- Simultaneous Live Interpretation is required for public events.
- In-Person Interpretation must comply with COVID-19 protocols.
- Document Translation includes vital documents and outreach materials in multiple languages.

Period of Performance
The contract will be effective for two years from the date of execution, with options to renew for up to three additional years at the County's discretion.

Place of Performance
Services will be performed within Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Bidder Requirements
Contractors must adhere to specific qualifications including providing qualified interpreters who comply with ethical standards. They must ensure confidentiality and have established quality assurance practices. Contractors are required to have training plans for staff and certifications from relevant accrediting associations. Additionally, they must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity.