# City of Columbus #RFQ033851

24/7 telephone interpretation services for Columbus Public Health

**Posted:** October 09, 2026
**Respond By:** November 09, 2026
**Identifier:** RFQ033851
**NAICS:** 541930

Columbus Public Health (CPH), part of the City of Columbus, seeks an on-demand telephone interpretation provider for its staff and clients.
- **Government buyer:** City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health (CPH); service supports more than 47 clinics and programs.
- **Service requested:** Professional over-the-phone interpretation across a broad range of languages; no equipment purchase or lease is expected.
- **Capacity and availability:** On-demand service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, supporting at least 17,000 calls or 265,000 minutes annually. Connect callers speaking high-demand languages to an interpreter within 30 seconds; rare or lower-volume languages generally within two minutes.
- **Service quality and continuity:** Provide qualified interpreters, including medical interpretation capability; address emergency requests, dropped calls, sound quality, and continuity of service. Maintain secure, distraction-free calls and confidentiality, including HIPAA compliance. Respond to complaints within 24 hours or one business day and share findings within five business days.
- **Reporting and billing:** Provide monthly electronic invoices with detailed Excel utilization reports, an accessible live call log, and an annual call summary. Reports must include call timing, language, interpreter ID, connection time, rates, minutes, charges, caller/requestor and office/program details, and distinguish scheduled from on-demand calls.
- **Qualifications and languages:** Interpreters must meet the specifications’ proficiency and certification requirements. NBCMI, IMIA, and CCHI certifications are preferred. Required languages are listed in the specifications; previously used additional languages include Bassa, Dotyali, Kikuyu, Songhay, Tamil, Telugu, and Tigre. Vendors may propose for only some services.
- **Pricing:** Fixed unit prices are requested; there are no rate caps. The estimated annual funding is approximately $70,000–$150,000, based on usage.
- **Named OEMs/vendors:** No OEMs, service vendors, or resellers are named. NBCMI, IMIA, and CCHI are cited as certification organizations, not vendors.
- **Term:** One initial year with four optional one-year renewals, for a potential five-year term.

### Description

Columbus Public Health is seeking proposals from qualified agencies to provide professional telephone interpretation services for its staff and customers. Services must be available upon request 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be scheduled through Columbus Public Health staff. The initial contract period is 12 months, from April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2028, with an option to renew for four additional one-year periods through March 31, 2032. Required submissions include a proposal and a proposal signature page and affidavits.

[View original listing](https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/258013)