Request for Proposal (RFP)
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters
AGENCY BACKGROUND
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) is a non-profit, statewide organization working to end sexual violence, and advocate for the rights and needs of all sexual assault victims. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center is a project of PCAR, whose mission is to provide leadership in preventing and responding to sexual violence through collaborating, sharing, and creating resources, and promoting research.
NSAC 2022
Respect Together is the founder and one of the rotating hosts of the National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC). Respect Together has hosted NSAC in 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2022. This year we are hosting NSAC 2023 Washington DC here: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dcawhhh-washington-hilton/ The conference dates are August 14-16, 2024.
Our Audience
Our audience is comprised of sexual assault advocates and educators, survivors, activists, law enforcement, health professionals, government officials and others. Workshops are centered on intervention and prevention of sexual assault across populations and community settings.
Objective
We are seeking a team of ASL interpreters that are versed in our mission to end sexual violence. We seek interpreter services that are trauma-informed and approach the work from a language justice perspective. Preferred interpreters would have experience translating topics dealing with various aspects of the prevention and/or intervention of sexual assault, as well as experience interpreting at virtual conferences.
Scope of Work
To be determined. We are working on the timing of the conference, how many workshops we will hold and many other details now, but we ask interested parties to submit a proposal if interested in working with us.
In your proposal, please share you experience--including experience interpreting sexual assault prevention and intervention (or related) content, virtual platform interpreting experience, hourly rate, and availability August 14-16, 2024.
Commitment to DEI
PCAR is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). One of our strategic goals is to become an antiracist organization. Included in this commitment is an interest in supporting and developing partnerships with minority-owned businesses or businesses that demonstrate measurable outcomes related to their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We define diversity broadly to encompass the full spectrum of humanity, taking into account demographics such as race/ethnicity; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) status; gender identity; and disabilities, among others.
Equity is promoting justice, impartiality and fairness within the procedures, processes, and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. Addressing equity issues requires an understanding of the underlying or root causes of outcome disparities within our society.
Inclusion is the degree to which diverse individuals are able to participate fully in the decision-making processes within an organization or group.
As such, please respond to the following questions:
- Describe your existing programs and procedures designed to encourage and foster diversity, equity and inclusion.
- If your firm is a Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned, woman-owned, or LGBTQ-owned business, please indicate so and provide information on your firm's certification and certifying agency.
- Please provide the percentage of your firm's total employees by race and gender.
- Please describe if/how your firm will use BIPOC-owned, woman-owned, or LGBTQ-owned business in the proposed relationship. Please be as specific as possible.
Selection Process: Consultants will be considered based on a variety of factors including:
- Demonstration of consultant’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Prior relevant projects or experience with firms of similar size and complexity.
- Knowledge and expertise of individuals that will work the projects.
- A proven track record of providing quality work on time.
- Ability to provide work within the scope on budget; and
- Response of references.
For further reference please see our organizational statement on our commitment to racial justice: https://pcar.org/sites/default/files/pages-pdf/commitment_to_racial_justicefinal508_updated.pdf.
Responses Due: December 31, 2023
Send questions and proposals to: Karla Vierthaler, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2101 N. Front Street, Harrisburg PA, 17110 or kvierthaler@nsvrc-respecttogether.org
Please note: Respect Together is also seeking ASL interpreters for NSAC. Applicants are welcome to respond to one of both RFPs for interpreters.