Request for Proposals (RFP) received April 27, 2023, for S80-T32585 – Approve an ordinance awarding a contract to Language Line Services, Inc. dba LanguageLine Solutions in the maximum contract amount of $1,421,200.00 for language interpretation services for the Houston Emergency Center (HEC).
Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Houston Emergency Center and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a five (5) year contract, with two (2) one-year options to renew to Language Line Services, Inc. dba LanguageLine Solutions in the maximum contract amount of $1,421,200.00 for foreign language interpretation services for the Houston Emergency Center. The Director may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving 30 days written notice to Contractor, with a copy of the notice to the Chief Procurement Officer.
The scope of work requires the contractor to provide 24-hour a day, seven (7) days per week, 365 days per year interpretation services for callers to the emergency 911 services that speak various languages such as:
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
- Mandarin and/or Cantonese
- Korean
- Arabic
- Germany
- French
The contractor also provides a web portal that is used by the City to access information related to the contract and billing. In addition, the contractor maintains the utmost courtesy when conversing with an emergency caller and the City of Houston call taker.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) was advertised in accordance with the requirements of the State of Texas bid laws. As a result, proposals were received from: Language Line Services, Inc. dba LanguageLine Solutions, CyraCom International, Worldwide Interpreters, Translation & Interpretation Services and GLOBO. The evaluation committee consisted of members from Houston Office of Emergency Management.
The proposals were evaluated based upon the following criteria:
- Responsiveness
- Technical Competence
- Price Proposal
After a detailed evaluation, Language Line Services, Inc. dba LanguageLine Solutions received the highest overall score. The Houston Office of Emergency Management is confident that Language Line Services, Inc. dba LanguageLine Solutions is well qualified to perform the required services as outlined in the RFP.
M/WBE Participation:
Zero-Percentage Goal document approved by the Office of Business Opportunity.
Pay or Play Program:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's 'Pay or Play' ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case the contractors will provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.
Hire Houston First:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's "Hire Houston First" (HHF) Ordinance that promotes economic opportunity for Houston businesses and supports job creation. In this case the firm is not a designated company, therefore, the HHF preference was not applied to the contract award.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2024 Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required, as stated in the Financial Policies.
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Jedediah Greenfield, Department Approval Authority
Chief Procurement Officer,
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division
Estimated Spending Authority:
|
Department
|
FY 2024
|
Out Years
|
Total
|
|
Houston Emergency Center
|
$277,200.00
|
$1,144,000.00
|
$1,421,200.00
|