Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the noncompetitive contract with Purple Communications for in person American Sign Language interpretation services at a cost not to exceed $40,000. In the adopted 2018 operating budget the Department of Civil Rights budgeted $122,000 for interpreter services in conjunction with the Language Access Plan.
Title
Authorizing a noncompetitive contract with Purple Communications for in person American Sign Language interpretation services.
Body
Preamble
In order to comply with Title II and IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and executive order 13166, the City of Madison is required to provide comprehensive language services to ensure that all residents have access to city services. In February of 2018 the Common Council approved the Language Access Plan created by the Department of Civil Rights as a response to this obligation. In order to provide these services in compliance with City contracting requirements, it is necessary for the Department of Civil Rights to enter into a contract with an appropriate interpretation agency.
WHEREAS Purple is the most reputable local ASL interpretation organization, and has been utilized in the past to provide in person interpretation for the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City is required to utilize State of Wisconsin Certified Interpreters for the provision of ASL services; and,
WHEREAS, Purple can provide Certified Deaf Interpretation in addition to ASL; and,
WHEREAS, the need for this contract is due to the immediate interpretation needs within the City while the Department of Civil Rights works on the details of needs assessment, coordination and RFP processes as part of the implementation of the Language Access Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Civil Rights desires to contract with Purple Communications beginning upon signature of the contract by the mayor through December 31, 2019; and,
WHEREAS, under sec. 4.26(4)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances, if the aggregate amount of the fee for services exceeds $25,000 and the contract was not subject to acompetitive bidding process, the contract shall meet one of the other requirements of sec. 4.26(4)(a) and be approved by the Common Council; and,
WHEREAS, for the reasons stated in the attached Noncompetitive Selection Request Form, the proposed contract with Purple Communications meets the exception to the bidding process in section 4.26(4)(a)7, which states “A particular consultant has provided services to the City on a similar or continuing project in the recent past, and it would be economical to the City on the basis of time and money to retain the same consultant.”,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign contract document(s) as needed with Purple Communications for these purposes not to exceed $40,000.