Language Access in the California Courts

The Judicial Council of California (“Judicial Council”) is the policymaking body of the California court system, which includes 58 superior courts, the courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court. Under the authority of the state’s Constitution and with the leadership of the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, the Judicial Council is responsible for ensuring the fair, impartial, and consistent administration of justice. The Judicial Council promulgates rules and procedures for court administration, develops and implements policies for the judicial branch, and makes recommendations annually to the Governor and the Legislature. Judicial Council staff assist the Judicial Council with implementing policies and supporting court operations.

Within the Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children, and the Courts, the Language Access Services Program (LASP) works to develop policies and provide services to ensure equal access to justice for court users who are limited English proficient (LEP) or deaf/hard of hearing. LASP is comprised of the Court Interpreters Program (CIP) unit and the Language Access Implementation (LAI) unit. CIP works on court interpreter issues, and LAI works on making the courts more language accessible via resources such as signage, technology, and translated forms and web content.

This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeks the services of a Contractor with relevant experience to assist the Language Access Services Program with several projects that support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Language Access in the California Courts (Language Access Plan or LAP), including new products for the council’s online Language Access Resources for Courts site and Judicial Resources Network (JRN) intranet site (which hosts language access and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) webpages for judicial officers and court staff).

Questions regarding this RFP must be directed to solicitations@jud.ca.gov (link sends email) and must be received no later than 1:00 PM, Pacific Time, May 5, 2025.

Proposals must be received no later than 1:00 PM, Pacific Time, May 19, 2025.

Further details regarding the solicitation are set forth in RFP No. CFCC-2024-25-LP and related documents provided below.

• RFP No. CFCC-2024-25-LP New
• Attachment 1- Administrative Rules Governing RFPs New
• Attachment 2 - Judicial Council Standard Terms and Conditions New
• Attachment 3 - Proposer's Acceptance of Terms and Conditions New
• Attachment 4 - General Certifications Form New
• Attachment 5 - Bidder Declaration New
• Attachment 6 - DVBE Declaration New
• Attachment 7 - Unruh and FEHA Certification New
• Attachment 8 - Darfur Certification New
• Attachment 9 - Iran Certification New
• Attachment 10 - Cost Worksheet New
• Attachment 11 - Reference Form New

The Judicial Council, as a public entity, prohibits direct contact with any Council personnel during the solicitation process in order to maintain fairness and equality to all proposers.
Proposers are specifically directed NOT to contact any judicial branch entity personnel or consultants for meetings, conferences, or discussions that are related to the solicitation at any time between release of the solicitation and any award and execution of a contract.
Unauthorized contact with any judicial branch entity personnel or consultants may be cause for rejection of the Proposer’s proposal.