Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 230425
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Universe Technical Translation, Inc.; Language Line Services, Inc.; MasterWord Services, Inc
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 37%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): See attached
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal is not 0% and is listed above
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of a renewal option with Universe Technical Translation, Inc., at a cost of $447,280; Language Line Services, Inc., $516,001; and MasterWord Services, Inc, $586,276 for medical interpretation and translation services for Public Health Services for the period of June 25, 2026 - June 24, 2027 (230425), MWBE Contracted Goal: 37%.
end
Background and Discussion:
Public Health Services is seeking approval to exercise the second renewal option with for medical interpretation and translation services for the period of June 25, 2026, through June 24, 2027, at a cost of $1,549,557. These services support communication between staff and patients with limited English proficiency and help ensure patients understand medical information, instructions, and services provided through Public Health Services programs. This federally procured contract also allows Public Health Services to use grant funds for eligible interpretation and translation costs. Renewing the contract will ensure continued access to these services and support compliance with language access requirements.
Expected Impact:
Renewing this contract will allow Public Health Services to continue providing interpretation and translation services needed to support patient care across programs. It will help patients better understand the care they receive and improve access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency. The renewal also supports continued use of available grant funds for eligible interpretation and translation costs.
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: O: Increase access to quality health care, including preventive and behavioral health.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): O3: Increase utilization of health-related public benefits.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
01/30/2024 |
300 |
Request for approval of a Project scheduled for Advertisement |
|
06/25/2024 |
292 |
Project Award |
|
05/08/2025 |
296 |
Contract Renewal # 1 |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Medical Interpretation and Translation Services |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Existing Budget |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
$1,549,557 |
$ |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
|
CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
|
CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 6/11/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 6/25/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Dr. Ericka Brown, Director of Community Health and Wellness Division,
Public Health Services; Margaret Obot, Sr. Sourcing Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter