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Language Services

Improve equitable communication through language solutions.

Page updated on November 4, 2024

Economic Services Administration (ESA) – Create a seamless experience accessing public benefits and workload processes through a language translation solution.

The Economic Services Administration (ESA) transforms lives by empowering individuals and families to thrive. We serve many clients who live on the margin. Although most are not receiving a cash grant, they may be relying on food assistance, work-related support services, assistance with child support or medical coverage. A family crisis or change in the economy, even a small one, can force these families into situations requiring assistance, whether it’s the full support of a cash grant, help with child support or temporary assistance to avoid losing housing.

Vision

Improve the ease of access for those with limited English proficiency by creating a seamless expedited process through a language translation solution for written communication.

Key Challenge

When our eligibility system letters require translation, the eligibility worker must manually print the letter and scan it back into an electronic version for submittal to a translation service. Once the service translates the letter, the eligibility worker must manually print it and mail it to the customer.

Primary Customer/Users

  • DSHS employees – for CSD: roughly 2,000 active users
  • Customers seeking benefits

Desired Outcomes

  • Written Translations: Real-time ability to translate incoming client documents
  • Real-time ability to translate outgoing agency correspondence (letters) and send written requests to our customers through an approved translation service
  • Verbal Interpreter Service: Real-time ability to interpret 2-way interaction between customer and staff using modern technology, not relying on 3-way interpreter service

Security Requirements

  • A Security Design Review will be initiated before acceptance

Required Technology (Compatibility)

  • Real-time translation with no delays
  • ACES Online Complex (letter creation)
  • Real time on-demand interpreter service for all designated ESA languages (minimum of 8). There are no known anticipated changes to language needs in the future.
  • Cambodian
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Laotian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese
  • Somali
  • Maintenance & Operations (M&O) costs must be identified
  • Integration with eJAS, Barcode and ACES Online (letter creation). Letters include various types: eligibility, notices, general correspondence. Most letters have standardized templates with free-form text blocks for staff to fill relevant text in.
  • Compatibility with the state’s fixed wireless access (FWA) system

System Competency Assessment for Accuracy, Efficacy and EDI-compliant outcomes

  • Labor impact analysis and potential bargaining need – Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) (interpreters United)
  • Details on System Compliance will be shared with the successful vendor. Review this page for more information.

Proposed or Preferred Capabilities

  • Open source is preferred
  • API integration is preferred
  • Cloud based solutions are preferred
  • Software as a solution is preferred
  • Low code/No Code is preferred
  • Integration with Avaya—the current telephone vendor. DSHS is not currently aware if the Avaya system can be used with third-party translation services.
  • Currently, ESA contracts with multiple vendors to perform written translation and on-demand in-person and over-the-phone interactions.
  • Both State RAMP and FedRAMP authorized solutions are eligible and preferred

Create meaningful impact for Washington residents and communities

The Business Integrity Challenge will identify one winner for each of the four solution categories who will each receive a contract of up to $250,000.
XX Days to Register