Language interpretation and IT services now available through U.S. Communities contracts

America’s major urban areas attract immigrants from across the globe and new translation challenges, as well. According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, anywhere from 126 to 192 languages other than English are spoken in homes throughout the country’s major metropolitan areas. To manage the country’s growing language diversity, the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance recently launched a new multi-year contract for interpretation and translation services with Language Select.  Language Select provides language services in four main areas:

Telephone Interpreting: Language Select’s service offers on-demand access to over 200 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Video Interpreting: Professionals can translate more than 20 VRI (video remote interpreting) languages including American Sign Language. Interpreters are available via iPad or PC, and scheduling sessions can be done in advance using a touch-screen system.

On-site Interpreting: Services will be performed by court- certified, medical-certified or standard interpreters. Language Select staff will address requirements and send qualified interpreters to provide expert service. All interpreters are well versed in language nuances and cultural sensitivity, and commit to strict confidentiality, a high code of ethics, objectivity and accuracy.

Written Translation: Translation can be delivered at a flat, fixed cost or per-word rate, depending on the parameters of the project. Language Select’s translators are HIPAA certified and abide by strict confidentiality agreements as well as best industry standards.

The contract was awarded through a competitive solicitation process conducted by the City of Chicago, Ill., which served as the lead public agency.

For more information, please visit www.uscommunities.org.

In other U.S. Communities news …

U.S. Communities has awarded a comprehensive contract for technology services and solutions to four companies: Unicom Government, Inc., Carahsoft, DLT Solutions and Insight Public Sector.

The supplier partners will provide services and solutions as detailed below:

Technology Services, Solutions and Related Products with UNICOM Government: UNICOM Government has designed and delivered a full range of IT infrastructure solutions including server virtualization, unified communications, document management, physical security and asset management.

Carahsoft: Carahsoft Technology Corp. is an IT solutions provider delivering best-of-breed hardware, software and support solutions to state and local government agencies since 2004. Services include Google Apps for Work (including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc.) and Chromebooks for Education.

Amazon Services with DLT Solutions: DLT provides expert knowledge and advice on Amazon Web Services (AWS) solutions, managed services and support, and fast and cost-effective means to procure reliable, cloud-ready AWS solutions. Offerings will assist with high-performance computing, networking, storage and content delivery, database needs and disaster recovery, among other services.

Technology Products, Equipment, Services and Solutions with Insight Public Sector: Insight simplifies IT procurement by providing technologies, implementation skills and management expertise. Insight can help with hardware and software from the world’s leading manufacturers, access to dependable, cost-effective solutions for IT procurement, planning, building and operating software, hardware and network infrastructures, and comprehensive lifecycle and IT management services. Among the partners available through the Insight Public Sector contract are: Apple, HP, Veritas, Cisco, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Panasonic, Microsoft and Symantec.

The multi-year contract was awarded through a competitive solicitation process conducted by lead public agency Fairfax County, Va.

The new technology suppliers will be available to answer questions at an interactive event and reception scheduled at the Tech Innovation Summit at the NACo Annual Conference in July in Los Angeles County.