University of Wisconsin-Madison

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AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES

SCOPE: Contract for Sign Language interpreting is required whenever people must communicate with hearing individuals who are not fluent in American Sign Language.  The University, in particular, the McBurney Disability Resource Center has frequent needs for skilled Sign Language interpreting services for class lectures and meetings between staff, students, and other educational service providers, some of whom are Deaf and/or fluent in Sign Language and some of whom are not.  The contract will be used primarily for American Sign Language, but is not limited to it; as there are other methods of signed communications.

A Contractor's service will be chosen based on individual situational need from available vendors in a multi-vendor contract. The contractor(s) who are qualified to interpret in the identified situation, are on the approved contract listing and are judged to be in the best interest of the State will be selected, with consideration given to low overall cost of use.

10-5169

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES

Non-UW-Madison users contact: Vendor Representative

October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, with automatic renewal extensions to September 30, 2012, unless amended, cancelled or rebid.

E-mail, Fax, Internet, Phone

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E-mail, Fax, Internet, Phone

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E-mail, Fax, Internet

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“V” F.O.B. SERVICE/MAINTENANCE

E-mail, Fax, Internet, Phone

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1.         INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION TYPES AND DEFINITIONS:

• NIC (National Interpreter Certification): Individuals who achieve the NIC level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have also scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview and performance portions of the test.

• NIC Advanced: Individuals who achieved the NIC Advanced level have passed the NIC knowledge exam; scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview portion; and scored within the high range on the performance portion of the test.

• NIC Master: Individuals who achieved the NIC Master level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have scored within the high range of a professional interpreter on both the interview and performance portions of the test.  Passing the test at the NIC level indicates that the interpreter has demonstrated skills in interpreting that meet a standard professional performance level and should be able to perform the varied functions of interpreting on a daily basis with competence and skill. It also shows that an individual has passed a test with both interpreting and transliterating elements, as opposed to one or the other.

• CI (Certificate of Interpretation):  Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in interpretation and have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English for both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign tasks. The interpreter’s ability to transliterate is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CI are recommended for a broad range of interpretation assignments.

• CT (Certificate of Transliteration): Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in transliteration and have demonstrated the ability to transliterate between English-based sign language and spoken English for both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign tasks. The transliterator’s ability to interpret is not considered in this certification. Holders of the CT are recommended for a broad range of transliteration assignments.

• CDI-P (Certified Deaf Interpreter-Provisional): Holders of this provisional certification are interpreters who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and who have demonstrated a minimum of one year experience working as an interpreter; completion of at least eight hours of training on the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct; and eight hours of training in general interpretation as it relates to the interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.

• CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter): Holders of this certification are interpreters who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and who have completed at least eight hours of training on the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct; eight hours of training on the role and function of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing; and have passed a comprehensive combination of written and performance tests. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.

• CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certificate): Holders of this full certificate have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English, and to transliterate between spoken English and an English-based sign language. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments.

• MCSC (Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate): The MCSC examination was designed with the intent of testing for a higher standard of performance than the CSC. Holders of this certificate were required to hold the CSC prior to taking this exam. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of interpreting and transliterating assignments.

• RSC (Reverse Skills Certificate):  Holders of this full certificate have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and English-based sign language or transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. Holders of this certificate are deaf or hard-of-hearing and interpretation/transliteration is rendered in ASL, spoken English and a signed code for English or written English. Holders of the RSC are recommended for a broad range of interpreting assignments where the use of an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing would be beneficial.

• OTC (Oral Transliteration Certificate):  Holders of this generalist certificate have demonstrated, using silent oral techniques and natural gestures, the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. They have also demonstrated the ability to understand and repeat the message and intent of the speech and mouth movements of the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing.

• OIC:C (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Comprehensive):  Holders of this generalist certificate demonstrated both the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and the ability to understand and repeat the message and intent of the speech and mouth movements of the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing.

• OIC:S/V (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Spoken to Visible):  Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. This individual received scores on the OIC:C examination which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification.

• OIC:V/S (Oral Interpreting Certificate: Visible to Spoken):  Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to understand the speech and silent mouth movements of a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and to repeat the message for a hearing person. This individual received scores on the OIC:C examination which prevented the awarding of full OIC:C certification.

• IC/TC (Interpretation Certificate/Transliteration Certificate):  Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate between English and a signed code for English and the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification.

• IC (Interpretation Certificate): Holder of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification or partial IC/TC certification.

• TC (Transliteration Certificate): Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated the ability to transliterate between spoken English and a signed code for English. This individual received scores on the CSC examination which prevented the awarding of full CSC certification or IC/TC certification.

• CLIP (Conditional Legal Interpreting Permit):  Holders of this conditional permit completed an RID-recognized training program designed for interpreters and transliterators who work in legal settings. Generalist certification (CI and CT, or CSC) was required prior to enrollment in the training program. Holders of this conditional permit are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting.

• CLIP-R (Conditional Legal Interpreting Permit-Relay):  Holders of this conditional permit have completed an RID-recognized training program designed for interpreters and transliterators who work in legal settings, and who are also deaf or hard-of-hearing. Generalist certification for interpreters/transliterators who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (RSC, CDI-P or CDI) is required prior to enrollment in the training program. This permit is valid until one year after a legal written and performance test for deaf interpreters becomes available nationally. CLIP-R holders will be required to take and pass the new legal certification examination to maintain certification in the specialized area of interpreting in legal settings. Holders of this conditional permit are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting.

• SC:L (Specialist Certificate: Legal):  Holders of this specialist certificate have demonstrated specialized knowledge of legal settings and greater familiarity with language used in the legal system. Generalist certification, documented training and legal interpreting experience are required prior to sitting for this exam. Holders of the SC:L are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the legal setting.

• Prov. SC:L (Provisional Specialist Certificate: Legal):  Holders of this provisional certificate hold generalist certification and have completed RID approved legal training. Holders of this certificate are recommended for assignments in the legal setting.

• SC:PA (Specialist Certificate: Performing Arts):  Holders of this certificate were required to hold RID generalist certification (CSC) prior to sitting for this examination and have demonstrated specialized knowledge in performing arts interpretation. Holders of this certificate are recommended for a broad range of assignments in the performing arts setting.

• Ed: K-12 (Educational Certificate: K-12):  Holders of this certificate have demonstrated the ability to expressively interpret classroom content and discourse and the ability to receptively interpret student or teen sign language. It is not limited to any one sign language or system. This certificate is issued to interpreters who work with students and teenagers who use predominately American Sign Language (ASL), Manually-Coded English (MCE) and Pigdin Sign English (PSE). Holders also demonstrate proficiency in the voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice interpreting skills of interpreters who work in the elementary and secondary school classroom setting.

• National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Certified Assessment Levels IV-V:

Level IV: (Advanced): Holders of this certificate possess excellent voice-to-sign skills and above average sign-to-voice skills or vice versa. This individual has demonstrated above average skill in any given area. Performance is consistent and accurate. Fluency is smooth, with little deleted, and the viewer has no question to the candidate’s competency. With this certificate, an individual should be able to interpret in most situations.

Level V (Master): Holders of this certificate possess superior voice-to-sign skills and excellent sign-to-voice skills. This individual has demonstrated excellent to outstanding ability in any given area. There are minimum flaws in their performance, and they have demonstrated interpreting skills necessary in almost all situations.

2.        Quality Standards:
All Contractor staff must adhere to the RID Interpreter Code of Professional Conduct.

Interpreters must be attired appropriately for the environment they are working in. Interpreters must arrive on time as scheduled.

Contractor staff must adhere to all applicable confidentiality rules and regulations. The Contractor shall not release personal information regarding any person authorized for services.

When assigning employees to service on this contract, Contractor(s) will assign staff that are qualified and competent to perform the functions of the assignments, in accordance with the specifications and provisions of this contract.  The State reserves the right to request resumes or demonstration of skill, as well as proof of certification for any service provider.

Contractor(s) are responsible for all employee supervision, benefits and required employer’s insurance for its employees.

There shall be no charge for the services of an intern or apprentice on this contract, but for the certified Mentor only.  The presence of an intern or apprentice does not substitute for any requirement for a second certified interpreter.  The provision of an intern and a mentor paired for an engagement must be approved by the University prior to the assignment.

The Contractor and the University must mutually agree on the conditions necessary for the provision of a team of interpreters versus an individual on a case-by-case basis. The Contractor cannot send a team of interpreters without permission and the University will not unreasonably withhold permission when conditions warrant the use of a team instead of an individual interpreter.

3.        Performance Support Standards:
A Contractor's service will be chosen based on individual situational need.  The Contractor who is qualified to interpret in the identified situation, is on the approved contract listing and is judged to be in the best interest of the State will be selected.

The Contractor shall not invoice for the cancellation of scheduled services if the University provides notification of cancellation at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled engagement.   Indicate other cancellation notice requirements on the Itemized Bid List.

The University reserves the right to request reassignment or substitution from use on this contract of any interpreting provider that does not meet the standards of performance of the assignment, or who is otherwise unacceptable to the user.  The University likewise reserves the right of approval of any substitution or subsequent assignment.

The University reserves the right to reassign an interpreter to a different assignment: (a) in the event the original engagement for which the interpreter was scheduled cancels, AND (b) the University has a different assignment for the same time period.  In such instance, the Contractor may bill for only ONE engagement.
Travel time shall be purchased at the Contractor's quoted travel hourly rate.

For Contractors with an office within 10 miles of the center of University campus,  the University will pay no more than 30 minutes each way for travel time. The University will not routinely provide parking. Travel time may not exceed the Standard interpreting services rate.

For Contractors outside Dane County, the bidder should submit a fixed amount of time each way for travel time. Parking will be provided at no additional cost to the Contractor. The maximum amount allowed for travel is a total of two hours for 0-60 miles of travel from the Contractor’s office and the center of the University campus, and three hours for 61-100 miles. Travel time may not exceed the Standard interpreting services rate.

Revision History