RFP Template For Foreign Language Interpretation and Translation Services
What should government Request for Proposals (RFP) include for Language Interpreter Services in 2023? Traditional RFP content are largely the same as they were ten or even twenty years ago, yet not only do we communicate differently today, the demand for services far outpaces practical availability. Technology is a huge part of our every day lives and RFP’s should be updated to include new options for translation and interpreter services.
Federal regulations require live human services if the person requests it. One could argue that’s out of date as well, but that’s the current situation. Does everyone want a live human solution? When someone ends up in the Emergency Room at 3 a.m. and it’s life or death, is there time to wait for the Swahili interpreter? When a teacher needs to speak with a non-English speaking parent, is the student better served with an immediate or same day conversation vs scheduled at some future date after coordinating for interpreter services? What if modern technology could provide an instant solution? Patients and students have better outcomes with improved communication at the time of need.
Technology solutions for translations and interpretations must meet business and regulated privacy needs. For example, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. HIPAA can impact more than just medical institutions; for example, student and employee medical emergencies, where the data must be protected. Google has been repeatedly sued over privacy issues and in response created Google Workspace for Education so that schools could use some of the Google services; Google Translate, commonly found on school web sites, is not part of that.
Accuracy of automated translations and interpretation is important. We’re a global community with local dialects. For example, USA, Great Britain, and Australia have nuances to their versions of English; even within the US there are differences. Mexico, Guatemala and Spain have Spanish variations. Additionally, the meaning of words can change based on context; is a foot a body part or unit of measurement? When assessing accuracy, it’s critical to get some information about how context and dialects impact the language results.
Modern 2023 RFQ Template For Translations & Interpretation
Entity Name recognizes that technology may equal or surpass human Translations & Interpretation in speed, cost, and or accuracy. As these technologies are newly emerging, and specifications for delivery method may vary, Entity Name will consider all solutions that address Translations & Interpretations needs.
Accuracy requirements – Does your technology differentiate between different dialects, for example, Spanish versions? Does your technology differentiate between different context, for example, medical vs mathematical as in construction? How does your technology differentiate from other technology solutions for higher accuracy?
Does your technology differentiate from live interpreter solutions for higher accuracy? How?
Security requirements- What certifications do you have? Describe how you protect data.
Privacy requirements- What certifications do you have? Describe any specifics.
How do you protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
Data requirements- What data does your solution store? What is the retention policy? Preference will be given to solutions that do not store data even temporarily.
What unique characteristics/capabilities set you apart from other technologies supporting Translation and Interpretation?
| ITEMS FOR POINTS TO COMPARE BID OFFERS– ANSWER Y/N |
| Compliance: FERPA, COPPA, ADA, PII |
| Accuracy for the “primary languages” listed |
| speech to speech |
| speech to text |
| text to text |
| text to speech |
| Hybrid Automated & Live Interpretation |
| Security web microphone invulnerable to speech translation hacking |
| Simultaneous human interpretation on-site/online without traditional equipment |
| Converts voices of interpreters into multi-language television subtitles in real-time |
| Creates instant on-site and online multi-language captions |
| Offers contextual control (for example, school board presentation vs classroom) |
| One to many- Speaker presents in first language and users choose their preferred language for simultaneous translation |
| Supports different dialects |
| Speaker presents in first language, users read/speak their preferred language, and speaker hears/reads responses In English |
Resources:
- Google privacy https://policies.google.com/?hl=en-US
- Google Workspace for Education privacy policy
- https://policies.google.com/?hl=en-U
ESG Safe is a distributor of exceptional B2B and B2G products and services. For SaaS Foreign Language Interpreter and Translation solutions that checks all the boxes you need for automated language translation and interpretation solutions. With nothing to download or install, staff can communicate immediately, anywhere.