Language Services

The vendor required to provide language services for responsive and responsible, qualified Spanish and lesser-used languages (LUL) interpreters, transcriptionists and translators, and sign language interpreters for court users and litigants with limited-english proficiency (LEP) as well as users who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and blind.
- Sign language:
•    Possess a valid state legal sign language interpreting license in accordance with the licensure rules established by the state commission for the deaf and hard-of-hearing; provide copies of licenses.
•    Be proficient in simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation techniques.
•    Provide equal access and act as an interpreter between individuals who are hearing and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as required by the court.
•    Provide the following types of services: sign language interpretation, both in-person and via remote video, remote hookup, tactile and low vision.
•    Provide certified transcription and translation of video recordings when accepting a transcription and translation assignment from the court.
•    Certified deaf interpreter (CDI) to facilitate communication when the communication mode of a deaf consumer is so unique that communication cannot be adequately accessed by interpreters who are hearing.
- Spanish and lesser-used languages (LUL)
•    Be highly proficient in both english and non-English language(s)
•    Provide interpreting services for court events and authorized by the court that requires language assistance for a limited-english proficiency (LEP) litigant, witness, victim, or anyone entitled to such language assistance.
•    Possess the necessary interpreting skills and knowledge to accurately and completely interpret in the simultaneous mode, or consecutive mode, and sight translation mode.
•    Have the capability and capacity to provide remote video interpreting services:
o    Provide a remote video interpretation for virtual events or when in person interpretation is not feasible.
o    Remote video interpretation event when the location of the event does not warrant the use of an in-person interpreter.
o    All remote interpretations shall be conducted in a private location, such as an office, or home office where the interpreter will not be subject to interruptions.
o    The interpreter shall dress appropriately and in the same manner as if they were physically appearing in a courtroom.
o    All interpreters working remotely shall have access to high-speed internet, a smart device (computer and tablet) and a separate telephone and mobile phone line.
o    The best practice for remote video interpretation in most settings is to interpret in the simultaneous interpretation mode.
•    Have the capability and capacity to provide on-demand telephonic interpreting services
o    In the event that an interpreter is unavailable to appear in-person or by remote video due to language and time constraints, court interpretation and translation services (CITS) may utilize telephonic interpreting to provide the court convenient access to a phone bank of interpreters that provide interpretation services in multiple languages, so that lengthy delays can be avoided. 
o    On-demand interpreting to provide attorneys and court staff with convenient access to a phone bank of interpreters that provide interpretation services in multiple languages.
- Transcription and translation
•    Possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent (a professional degree in translation or B.A. In english or the foreign language is preferred); provide copies of diplomas and degrees.
•    Use express scribe software, as this is the software used by the court to identify time stamps for start and stop locations on a recording or other transcription software deemed acceptable in the future.
•    Use microsoft word and submit all work in .docx format or the latest microsoft word format.
•    Transcribing audio and video recordings conducted in a foreign language, american sign language (ASL), and english, as well as translating legal documents, transcripts, forms, brochures, and other types of instruments used in court.
•    Provide a faithful translation and transcription of every utterance given by the speaker and not omit or add to the versions they transcribe or translate, nor change the register, tone, or intent of versions.
•    Ensure all target language texts prepared by translator shall be direct, without resorting to the third person, describing, or commenting on the text, either marginally or in footnotes, beyond the need of a translator’s note referring to language issues.
•    Identify all utterances spoken or written in the target language so that the reader may see that the text is the product of the source text’s speaker and author and not the transcriber and translator.

Contract Period/Term: 
Mandatory/Non-Mandatory Pre-bid/Pre-Proposal Date: NA
Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 14, 2026