SY26 RFP ASL Interpreter

Biloxi Public School District
P.O. Box 168
Biloxi, MS 39533
Request for Proposal
To Provide School-Based American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter
Services In the Biloxi Public School District
To be funded by IDEA Part B and Preschool
Contact: Michelle Milton
Special Services Director
(228) 435-4600
Email: michelle.milton@biloxischools.net
Due Date:
May 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
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1.0 Introduction
The Biloxi Public School District (the "District") through the Office of Special Education as part of its
requirement to implement the provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") and
Mississippi Policies and Procedures State Board Policy 7219 Regarding Children with Disabilities is
soliciting written proposals from potential providers for district-wide school-based American Sign
Language (ASL) Interpreter.
2.0 Project Overview
The District seeks school-based ASL Interpreter services to provide communication access for students
who are deaf or hard of hearing, including interpretation of instructional content, classroom discussions,
school activities, and meetings as required by the student's individual education plans ("IEP") and
professional development as needed. Services must be aligned with IDEA, current Mississippi Policies
and Procedures Regarding Children with Disabilities, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and
are expected to have positive outcomes based on each student's related service school-based goals.
3.0 Scope of Work
A. Provide best practices in current school-based services, observations, trainings, and/or
evaluations;
B. Comply with the IDEA and Mississippi Policies and Procedures State Board Policy 7219 for
Children with Disabilities, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;
C. Utilize a process to maintain documentation of services provided and participate in progress
monitoring as required by the District and the IEP team;
D. Provide specialized training and support for administration, teachers, and parents when
requested;
E. Provide instructional content, modify curriculum, or assume the role of a teacher or a
paraprofessional;
F. Comply with District Policies and Procedures;
G. Provide services during the 2026-2027 school year and extended school year as necessary.
4.0 Specifications
4.1 Qualifications
Provide valid licenses in the State of Mississippi that allow you to provide the contracted
services. Provider must be located in the State of Mississippi or be located within 100 miles
of the District. If the provider does not meet the criteria above, provider must submit (2) two
school district references within those listed confines that have a prior working experience
with the provider.
Interpreters must hold appropriate certification such as RID (Registry of Interpreters for the
Deaf) certification or equivalent recognized credential and meet all Mississippi Department
of Education requirements for educational interpreters.
Provide a list of school district references.
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Pass background check and child abuse registry checks.
Provide certificate of general and professional liability insurances.
Provide assurance of worker's compensation insurance if applicable.
Provide assurance to indemnify and hold harmless the District from and against any claim,
loss, expense, or damage to any person or property arising out of approved agreement to
provide contracted services to the District.
Available to provide listed services for the 2026-2027 school year.
Provide resume of the provider.
The District reserves the right to evaluate provider performance based on service quality,
reliability, and collaboration with staff. Continued contracting may be contingent upon
satisfactory performance.
4.2 Focus of ASL Interpreting Services
Attend classes, guidance sessions, tutoring sessions, and other school activities with deaf
and hard-of-hearing student to interpret educational information and classroom discussions.
Facilitate effective communication between students, staff, and peers to support full
participation in the educational environment.
Answer general questions regarding the nature and problems associated with deafness and
hearing.
Attend meetings with school personnel and parents who are deaf or hard of hearing to
interpret educational information.
Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and professional ethical standards
for interpreters.
Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and consistency in assigned schedules and
duties.
Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, and related service providers to support
implementation of the student's IEP.
4.3 Professional Development and Administrative Support
Provide teacher orientation and training on the characteristics of the disability of the student
and their school-based plans according to the related service goals on the IEP.
Assist teachers in the implementation of each student's IEP as it relates to success in the
classroom involving educational school-based goals.
Assist teachers in the monitoring and data collection as it relates to each student's school-
based goals as stated on their IEP according to Results Driven Accountability and
educational benefit.
Meet regularly with Special Education Director to conduct on-going evaluation of service
provided under the provision of contract.
5.0 Management Responsibilities
The District will designate one representative who will act as the primary point of contact. The
representative will be responsible for conferring with any and all parties necessary to resolve
unanticipated issues or requirements that might occur during the course of the Request for Proposal
("RFP"). If you have any questions, please contact:
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Michelle Milton, Director of Special Education
Biloxi Public School District
P.O. Box 168
Biloxi, MS 39533
Phone: (228) 435-4600
Email: michelle.milton@biloxischools.net
6.0 Format and Procedures for Delivery of Proposal
The proposal shall consist of four parts (Attachments A, B, C, D). The proposal must also
include documentation of the qualifications listed on page 2.
Part I- Cover Page (Attachment A)
Part II - Basic Program Description (Attachment B)
Part III- Cost (Attachment C)
Part IV- Assurances and Signature Form (Attachment D)
Procedures for Delivery of Proposals
One (1) original and two (2) copies of the proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope
labeled "Proposal for Special Education Contracted Services SY26" and must be received
before May 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. to the following address:
Biloxi Public School District
Special Services Department
ATTN: Michelle Milton
160 St. Peters Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39530
Proposals received after the due date and time will NOT be considered. Incomplete proposals will not
be accepted and will not be returned for revisions. No faxed or emailed proposals will be accepted.
The proposal must be signed by an authorized official to bind the offeror to the proposal provisions.
7.0 Acceptance of Proposals
The District reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive minor irregularities in proposals. A
minor irregularity is a variation from the proposal that does not affect the proposal, or gives one
offeror an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by other offerors, or adversely impacts the interests of
the school district. The District reserves the right to accept multiple proposals for individual services.
Solicitations of additional proposals may be necessary during the school year to meet additional
needs of IDEA services.
8.0 Rejection of Proposals
Proposals may be rejected for reasons that include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. The proposal contains unauthorized amendments to requirements as outlined herein.
2. The proposal is conditional.
3. The proposal is incomplete or contains irregularities that make the proposal indefinite or ambiguous.
4. The proposal is not signed by an authorized representative of the applicant.
5. The proposal contains false or misleading statements or references.
6. The proposal price is clearly unreasonable.
7. The proposal is not responsive (i.e., does not conform in all material respects to the RFP).
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8. The supply or service item offered in the proposal is unacceptable by reason of its failure to meet
the requirements of the specifications or permissible alternates or other acceptability criteria set
forth in the RFP.
9.0 Disposition of Proposals
All proposals become the property of the District.
10.0 Conditions of Solicitation
The release of the RFP does not constitute an acceptance of any offer. The District reserves the right to
accept or reject any or all offers on the basis of the evaluation criteria contained within this document.
The offeror shall assure compliance with the following conditions of solicitation:
Any proposal submitted in response to the RFP shall be in writing.
The District will not be liable for any costs associated with the preparation of proposals or negotiations
of contract incurred by any party.
Discussions may be conducted with offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonable
and only for the purpose of clarification to assure full understanding of the solicitation requirements,
but proposals may be accepted without such discussion.
Any withdrawal or modification of a proposal received after the time and date set for receipt of
proposals at the place designated for receipt is late. No late proposal or late modification will be
considered unless receipt would have been timely but for the action or inaction of District personnel
directly serving the procurement activity.
The offeror represents that it has not retained a person to solicit or secure this agreement for a
commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee.
The offeror certifies that the prices submitted in response to the solicitation have been arrived at
independently and without (for the purpose of restricting competition) any consultation,
communication, or agreement with any other bidder or competitor relating to those prices, the intention
to submit a proposal, or the methods or factors used to calculate the price proposal.
11.0 Terms and Conditions
Certain terms and conditions are required. Therefore, the offeror shall assure agreement and compliance
with the following Terms and Conditions:
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
The offeror shall perform all services as an independent contractor and shall discharge all of its liabilities
as such. No act performed or representation made, whether oral or written, by the contractor with
respect to third parties shall be binding on District. Offeror indemnifies and holds harmless the District
from and against any claim, loss, expense, or damage to any person or property arising out of this
contract.
ACCESS TO RECORDS
The offeror will comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act with regard to all student
information. The offeror agrees to comply with provisions that provide authority for the United States
Inspector General, the U. S. Comptroller General, and the Mississippi State Auditor, or any of its duly
authorized representatives, at any time during the term of this agreement, shall have access to, and
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the right to audit/examine any pertinent documents, paper, and records, related to change and
performance under this agreement. Such records shall be kept for a period of five (5) years after final
payment under this agreement.
APPLICABLE LAW
The contract shall be governed by the provisions of the Mississippi Accountability and Transparency
Act (Miss. Code. Ann. of 27-104-151, et. seq.) and all other applicable laws of the State of Mississippi.
AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT
Offeror warrants (a) that it is a validly organized business with valid authority to enter into this
agreement; (b) that it is qualified to do business and in good standing in the State of Mississippi; (c)
that entry into and performance under this agreement is not restricted or prohibited by any loan,
security, financing, contractual, or other agreement of any kind, and (d) notwithstanding any other
provision of this agreement to the contrary, that there are no existing legal proceedings or prospective
legal proceedings, either voluntary or otherwise, which may adversely affect its ability to perform its
obligations under this agreement.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
The offeror understands that the District is an equal opportunity employer and therefore maintains a
policy which prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin,
physical handicap, disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
All such discrimination is unlawful and the offeror agrees during the term of the agreement that the
offeror will strictly adhere to this policy in its employment practices and provision of services. The
offeror shall comply with, and all activities under this agreement shall be subject to all applicable federal,
state, and local laws and regulations, as now existing and as may be amended or modified.
PERSONNEL
Offeror agrees that, at all times, the employees of offeror furnishing or performing any of the services
specified under this agreement shall do so in a professional manner and under a current professional
license required for the service(s) rendered. Offeror agrees to certify in writing to the district that all of
its employees, as well as subcontractors, who may come in contact with students during the term of the
contract with the district have had a criminal background check completed, as well as child abuse
registry check and none have been located on the child abuse registry and none have been found guilty
of any crime of violence, serious felony, or offense. These services will be conducted by the District
with the cost paid by the approved contractor.
CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION
The offeror certifies that the prices submitted in response to the solicitation have been arrived at
independently and without for the purpose of restricting competition-any consultation, communication,
or agreement with any other bidder or competition relating to those prices, the intention to submit a bid
or the methods or factors used to calculate the prices bid.
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligations of the District to proceed are conditioned
upon the appropriation of funds by the Mississippi State Department of Education and the receipt of
state and/or federal funds. If the funds anticipated for the continuing fulfillment of the agreement are,
at any time, not forthcoming or insufficient, either through the failure of the federal government to
provide funds or of the State of Mississippi to appropriate funds or the discontinuance or material
alteration of the program under which funds were provided or if funds are not otherwise available to the
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State, the District shall have the right upon ten (10) working days written notice to the offeror, to
terminate or modify the agreement without damage, penalty, cost of expenses to the district of any kind
whatsoever. The effective date of termination or modification shall be as specified in the notice of
termination or modification.
12.0 Criteria for Evaluation of Proposals
Each proposal will be evaluated using the selection criteria indicated below. Each area must be
addressed in the proposal in clearly defined language and/or procedures.
Maximum points for each criterion are as follows: MAXIMUM POINTS
Describe best practices in providing ASL interpreting services in school settings to support
student access to instruction and participation in the general education curriculum.;
40 pts.
Explain compliance with the IDEA and Mississippi Policies and Procedures State Board
7219 for Children with Disabilities in regard to Related Service Eligibility for students
eligible under IDEA;
10 pts.
Describe your process to maintain documentation of services provided and participate
in progress monitoring as required by the District and IEP team;
30 pts.
Provide specialized training and support for administration, teachers, and parents
aligned with the individual student's disability to promote progress in the educational
environment if requested to do so;
10 pts.
Explain how you will become familiar with and comply with District Policies and
Procedures.
10 pts.
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Proposal Cover Page - Part 1 Attachment A
Biloxi Public School District
Biloxi, Mississippi
Request for Proposal of
District-Wide ASL Interpreter Services
to be Funded By IDEA Part B and Preschool
TO: Provision of District-Wide ASL Interpreter Services in the Biloxi Public
School District
PROPOSAL OPENING DATE AND TIME:
May 15, 2026 at 1:00 pm
VENDOR INFORMATION
Part III- Cost (Attachment C)
Company Name ___________________________________________________
Company Mailing Address ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ______________________ Date_____________________
Note: Vendors should read all attached instructions in this Request for Proposal prior to
submitting proposals.
Vendor must return proposal in a sealed envelope clearly marked.
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Basic Program Description- Part II Attachment B
II. BASIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTION -
Include an overview of the proposed services which will allow the district to determine the quality of
services to be provided based on the Criteria for Evaluation of Proposals located on page 7. Additional
space and/or attachments may be used to describe your Basic Program Description. Be sure to answer
each area thoroughly.
Describe best practices in providing ASL interpreting services in school settings to support
student access to instruction and participation in the general education curriculum.;
40 pts.
Explain how you will maintain compliance with the Individual with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) and Mississippi Policies and Procedures State Board 7219 for Children with
Disabilities in regard to Related Service Eligibility for students eligible under IDEA;
10 pts.
Describe your process to maintain student data for the purpose of reporting progress
(Results Driven Accountability) for educational benefit every 4 12 weeks and 9 weeks
to parents according to the student's related service goals on their Individual Education
Program (IEP);
30 pts.
Describe how you will provide specialized training and support for administration, teachers,
and parents aligned with the individual student's disability and treatment plan as a related
service and to promote progress in the educational environment;
10 pts.
Explain how you are or will become familiar with and comply with District Policies and
Procedures;
10 pts.
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Cost - Part III Attachment C
Related Services Rate List (if applicable)
Provide a specific description of your pricing structure. The description must include all costs to the District.
(Cost must include travel, equipment, materials, etc.)
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE COST
Assistive Technology Evaluation
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Counseling/Psychology/Behavioral Therapy Services
Psychological Assessment Services
ASL Interpreter Services
Hearing Impairment Services
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