ASL Sign Language Interpretation, CART Services, and Travel
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA26Q0122 for ASL Sign Language Interpretation, CART Services, and Travel. This opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside and seeks to provide essential communication access for USDA REE Mission Area employees, applicants, and visitors nationwide. Quotations are due by February 2, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive interpreting and communication access services, including:
- ASL/English Interpreting: Full-time, on-call, and by-request services covering various modes such as transliteration, oral, tactile, low vision, deaf, trilingual, and video interpretation.
- Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) Services.
- TypeWell Transcription Services.
- Travel: For difficult-to-fill, remote in-person requests. Services are required nationwide, encompassing both in-person and remote delivery in diverse rural and urban locations across the United States. The contractor is responsible for all coordination from request to fulfillment.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ)
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Product Service Code (PSC): R608 - Translation And Interpreting Services (including Sign Language)
- NAICS Code: 541930 - Translation and Interpretation Services (Small Business Size Standard: $22.5 Million)
- Period of Performance: A base period of twelve months (February 27, 2026, to February 26, 2027) with four additional one-year option periods.
- Estimated Volume: Approximately 200 hours of sign language interpreting services annually, with potential for higher volume.
Performance Requirements & Qualifications
Interpreters must be qualified and vetted, meeting specific criteria for certified and non-certified professionals. CART providers must be NCRA certified, and TypeWell transcribers require at least three years of experience. Key performance standards include:
- 98% online portal availability during business hours.
- 98% request fulfillment for requests made 10 days in advance.
- Timely arrival for assignments (interpreters 30 mins prior, captioners 1 hour prior).
- High standards for interpreting skills (98%), customer preference fulfillment (95%), and professionalism (98%).
- Contractor must provide an online scheduling portal, a dedicated vendor point of contact, and administrative support.
Submission & Evaluation
- Quotations Due: February 2, 2026 (by close of business).
- Evaluation Method: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Technical acceptability requires meeting all solicitation requirements and having an acceptable past performance rating.
- Required Submissions: Completed SF18, a contractor quote pricing document (Attachment 2), and the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1).
- Eligibility: Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact James Porter at james.porter@usda.gov.