Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 210374
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Masterword Services, Inc.; Language Line Services, Inc.; GLOBO Language Solutions, LLC; Worldwide Interpreters, Inc.
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a renewal option with Masterword Services, Inc. in the amount of $700,000; Language Line Services, Inc., $700,000; GLOBO Language Solutions, LLC, $300,000; and Worldwide Interpreters, Inc., $300,000 for translation and interpretation services for Harris County for the period of April 5, 2024 - April 4, 2025 (210374), Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability.
end
Background and Discussion:
Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of the second renewal. As the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States, a major international city, Houston and its environs is home to more than 100 ethnic groups and cultures. There has been increasing requests from various Departments seeking the services of document translators, in-person and over the phone interpreters. Most the departments are dealing with a substantial amount of highly confidential information. To keep up services with the increasing population, it is crucial to have a county-wide translation and interpretation services that will be available for the departments in delivering their essential services by communicating clearly and reliably with the public and naturalized residents from other countries. Inaccurate translation or interpretation can cause a disconnect, whether on a legal document, an email, directive, or a policy brief. The interpreters and translators awarded are best able to provide the services with the needs of the county departments because they understand the confidentiality and security requirements and they know how to operate effectively in fast-paced environments with high expectations. The most commonly found ancestry in Houston area are: African, Cambodian, Chinese, Cuban, Dutch, English, Filipino, French, German Greek, Guatemalan, Honduran, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Jewish, Korean, Mexican, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Salvadoran, Scottish, Swedish, Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese, etc.
Expected Impact:
Translation and interpretation services for all the Departments.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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4/5/2022 |
242 |
Approval for Award |
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5/16/2023 |
250 |
Approval of First Renewal |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/26/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Matthew McGarrity, Senior Buyer; Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter