Title
Head Start Birth to Five Program Interpreter Services Qualified Vendors List - RFQu-21-EDU-53 (Ordinance S-48344)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve a Qualified Vendors List (QVL) and enter into agreements with eligible contractors to provide interpreter services for the Head Start Birth to Five Program. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item for the life of the contracts. The aggregate value of all agreements will not exceed $250,000 over the life of the QVL.
Report
Summary
The Early Head Start Home-Based Program provides family-centered services for low-income families with very young children. The program is designed to promote the development of the children and enable parents to fulfill their role as their child's primary teacher and move toward self-sufficiency. Enrolled families participate in 90-minute weekly home visits, monthly parent education opportunities and biweekly socialization events. The primary language of many of the participants is a language other than English, requiring the use of interpreters. The interpreters play a vital role in supporting the Early Head Start staff and the parents to ensure maximum benefit from the program.
Services will be delivered face-to-face in the participant's home, virtually or over the phone. The home visits, socialization sites, and parent educational opportunities are located within the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five program boundaries, including the following school districts: Deer Valley; Washington; Isaac; Alhambra; Cartwright; Fowler; Pendergast; and Riverside.
The Qualified Vendor List is meant to identify highly qualified professionals with the certification, training and experience to provide the required interpreter services for Early Head Start Home-Based families.
Procurement Information
On Nov. 5, 2021, RFQu-21-EDU-53 for Head Start Birth to Five Program Interpreter Services was issued to solicit qualified professionals for interpreter services. The solicitation was conducted in accordance with City of Phoenix Administrative Regulations 3.10 to establish a QVL. One offer was received on Dec. 10, 2021. The offer was determined to be responsive and responsible to the solicitation requirements.
The Evaluation Committee evaluated the offer based on the evaluation criteria, responsiveness to all specifications, terms and conditions, and responsibility to provide the required services. The Evaluation Criteria was as follows:
- Method of Approach and Service Implementation – 300 possible points;
- Experience and Qualifications – 200 possible points;
- Number of Languages Offered – 200 possible points;
- Evaluation of Proficiency – 200 possible points; and
- Cost/Budget – 100 possible points.
The Evaluation Committee recommends the following offeror be added to the QVL:
- AZ Language Solutions, LLC
Contract Term
The contract term will begin on or about March 1, 2022, and will end on Feb. 28, 2027, with no option to extend.
Financial Impact
Expenditures are not to exceed $250,000 over the life of the QVL. Funding is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children, Youth and Families. No additional General Funds are required.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On April 12, 2021, the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council approved the request to release the Interpreter Services RFQu.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.