Western Oregon Service Unit Interpreter Service
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 Indian Health Service (IHS), Portland Area Office, is soliciting American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Services for the Western Oregon Service Unit (Chemawa Indian Health Center) in Salem, Oregon. This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is a Firm Fixed-Price contract, specifically set aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) under the Buy Indian Act. The requirement is for qualified ASL interpreter services, primarily in-person with Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) backup, to support effective communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients during scheduled clinical encounters. Quotations are due July 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide qualified ASL interpreter services for scheduled clinical encounters at the Chemawa Indian Health Center. Key requirements include:
- Primarily in-person interpretation, with VRI backup when in-person is unavailable.
- Adherence to HIPAA and privacy regulations.
- Maintenance of required interpreter qualifications and medical interpreting capability.
- Support for a 72-hour advance-notice model with a 90% in-person fulfillment standard.
- Services during normal clinic operating hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.). This is a non-personal services requirement.
Contract Details
- Solicitation Type: Request for Quotation (RFQ)
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Commercial Services
- Set-Aside: Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) under the Buy Indian Act. Only Indian Economic Enterprises that are also small businesses will be considered.
- NAICS Code: 541930 - Translation and Interpretation Services (Size Standard: $22.5M)
- Period of Performance: One 12-month base period (July 15, 2026 - July 14, 2027) and four 12-month option periods.
- Place of Performance: Chemawa Indian Health Center, 3750 Chemawa Road NE, Salem, OR 97305.
Submission Requirements
Offerors must submit:
- A completed price quote (Attachment 1 - Schedule of Items) with hourly unit prices for the base and all option periods.
- A technical quotation addressing the Performance Work Statement, interpreter qualifications, scheduling approach, 72-hour/90% fulfillment, VRI contingency, privacy controls, quality control, invoicing, and continuity of service.
- A technical submission detailing recent and relevant past performance (ASL, medical/healthcare interpretation, Government/healthcare facility support, VRI, scheduling, subcontractor management), including at least three references.
- Confirmation of active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Evidence of required interpreter qualifications, certifications, licensure, insurance, and privacy procedures.
- A completed IHS Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (Attachment 3).
- Clearly identified separate pricing for VRI/alternative services, cancellation fees, after-hours/weekend/holiday coverage, or pre-approved travel.
Evaluation Factors
Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quotation represents the best value to the Government, considering price and non-price factors. The Government may award to other than the lowest-priced offeror. Factors are:
- Factor 1: Technical Capability and Staffing/Team Approach (More important than Factor 2). Evaluates ability to perform PWS, interpreter qualifications, medical interpreting, scheduling, 72-hour/90% in-person fulfillment, VRI coordination, privacy, QC, and subcontractor management.
- Factor 2: Past Performance (Recency and relevance of comparable services).
- Factor 3: Price (Factors 1 & 2 combined are approximately equal to Factor 3. Price becomes more important as non-price factors become more equal). Evaluates total evaluated price (base + options for in-person services), fairness, reasonableness, and realism.
Key Dates & Contact
- Quotation Due Date: July 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
- Questions Due: Four business days prior to the closing date.
- Submit Quotations/Questions To: jacob.blalock@ihs.gov and PORAOAcquisition@ihs.gov.
- Email Subject Line: 75H71326Q00056 - WOSU ASL Interpreter Service Quote.
- Primary Contact: Jacob Blalock.