Sign Language Interpreter Services

Update - 2/13/2026 The RFP, Technical Proposal, and Instructional Presentation were updated 2/13/2026. The Mandatory Requirements on page 3 of the RFP have been updated. Please also see the following pages for additional updates: page 5 - Certified Language Interpreter, page 9 - Invoice Submission Requirements, and Attachment E. The due date to submit questions is extended to February 20, 2026. A Questions and Answers Summary will be posted to NYSED’s Procurement website no later than February 27, 2026. All questions submitted prior to 2/13/2026 will be answered and do not need to be resubmitted. The due date to submit bids is extended to no later than March 20, 2026. The RFP and associated documents are posted to NYSED's Procurement website. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) is seeking proposals for qualified Interpreters to provide sign language interpreter services for ACCES-VR customers, ACCES-VR staff, and for ACCES-VR administered functions (i.e., public meetings, training sessions, etc.). Interpreter Referral Agencies will provide sign language services to convert spoken language into American Sign Language (ASL) for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and/or for one (1) or more of ACCES-VR’s District Offices. This RFP is for both on-site and video remote interpreter (VRI) American Sign Language interpreting services. Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply for the Interpreter Referral Service/ VRI: Sign language interpreter referral services; Private and proprietary agencies providing sign language interpreting services; and Independent Living Centers whose services include providing sign language interpreting services. No individual sign language interpreter applicants will be accepted for this RFP. Subcontracting will be permitted. Subcontracting is defined as non-employee direct personal services and related incidental expenses, including travel. Subcontracted services must adhere to all ACCES-VR policies, procedures and guidelines, as does the contract vendor. The contract vendor will be held responsible for all subcontractor service delivery as if they directly provided the services. NYSED will award multiple contracts pursuant to this RFP. The contracts resulting from this RFP will be for a term anticipated to begin June 1, 2026, and end September 30, 2030. Interpreter Referral Agencies currently under contract with NYSED ACCES-VR to provide onsite and VRI sign language interpreting services who wish to continue to provide these services MUST apply to this RFP. All current interpreter service contracts with ACCES-VR expire on May 31, 2026. Mandatory Requirements: See Mandatory Requirements section of the RFP. The recorded Instructional Presentation that was posted 1/29/2026 on NYSED’s Procurement website to provide potential applicants with details of the application process and clarification on this RFP process has been revised. An Interpreted version of the Revised Instructional Presentation will be posted on or about February 18, 2026. Questions regarding the request must be submitted via online form no later than the close of business February 20, 2026. A Questions and Answers Summary will be posted to NYSED’s Procurement website no later than February 27, 2026. All questions submitted prior to 2/13/2026 will be answered and do not need to be resubmitted Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: American Sign Language, Inc Bilingual Professional Agency, Inc. Communication Services Inc. d/b/a Interpretek Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreting Services, Inc. Empire Interpreting Service, LLC Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley Inclusive Communication Services, Inc. LC Interpreting Services, LLC Mill Neck Services, Inc. dba Mill Neck Interpreter Service Natural Languages, LLC People Inc, dba Deaf Access Services Service Bridges, Inc. Sign Language Connection Sign Language Resources Inc SILAN Communications Unity House of Troy, Inc. Vancro Inc. WHOLE ME, Inc.