Remote and/or in-person ASL and/or LSQ interpretation & Sign language translation services

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is seeking proposals to establish three (3) standing offers (SO) for three (3) types of services on-demand or as-needed basis:

1. In-person ASL and/or LSQ interpretation services (for meetings held in the NCR only).
2. Virtual ASL and/or LSQ interpretation services (for meetings held anywhere in Canada).
3. English and/or in French sign language translation services

Suppliers MUST bid on the three (3) types of services.
It is anticipated that there will be three (3) standing Offers as a result of this Request For Standing Offer from the date of issuance, with the option to extend for up to four (4) additional one (1) year periods.
The initial estimated value for all standing offers is $30,000.00 taxes excluded. This is not a contractual guarantee. The estimated initial value represents the estimated maximum value of orders for the first year.

The three (3) responsive offers will be recommended for award of standing offers worth an estimated initial value of $10,000.00 each, taxes excluded:
1st supplier – $10,000.00
2nd supplier – $10,000.00
3rd supplier – $10,000.00
If only two (2) offers are responsive, CIHR will award 2 standing offers worth an estimated initial value of $20,000.00 each, taxes excluded.
If only one (1) offer is responsive, CIHR will award 1 standing offer worth an estimated initial value of $30,000.00, taxes excluded.

Offeror selection for Call-ups against this SO will be on a rotational basis to ensure a more or less equal distribution of work based on offeror capacity. Notwithstanding the preceding, CIHR reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine which offeror is appropriate for a particular requirement and may award work based on expertise and/or capacity.

The budget allocation for the option periods is anticipated to match the amount designated for the initial contract period.
The total estimated budget allocated for this requirement (including the optional periods) will not exceed $150,000.00, plus applicable taxes.
This is not a contractual guarantee. The estimated initial value represents the estimated maximum value of orders for the first year.

The selection will be based on lowest priced responsive bid (see article 4.2.1).
CIHR reserves the right to requalify a new vendor 6 to 12 months after the initial solicitation if fewer than two (2) vendors qualify under this solicitation.
CIHR may review responsive proposals prior to the expiration date of the offer if the number of offerors falls below two.