The Operational Services Division manages a statewide contract for IT Accessibility Services, ITS82 that can used by eligible entities to get expert assistance in creating or remediating online systems and services, documents, multimedia, and communications. It is the successor contract to ITS61DESIGNATEDITD. Categories remain the same, except assistive technology scripting is now included in Category B and there is now a Category for hardware accessibility.
Purpose
ITS82 can be used for:
- Testing websites and applications for accessibility
- Assessing and fixing accessibility problems with websites, applications, and documents
- Training in accessibility requirements and techniques
- Meeting accessibility requirements for audio and video
- Meeting accessibility requirements for hardware, including kiosks
As a statewide contract, ITS82 can be used by state and local government entities across the Commonwealth - from state agencies to municipal offices and public libraries, schools, colleges, and universities - as well as other states and territories.
ITS82 is comprised of six categories of services that were chosen based on input from Commonwealth IT staff. Vendors have been selected for each category based on their expertise in that area. When using ITS82, only vendors included in the relevant category can be used.
Category A: Accessibility Audit Services
This category is for third-party testing of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), including applications, websites, and web and mobile applications, to identify potential barriers for users with sensory, physical, learning and other disabilities. This is the category to use if you need a formal audit for contractual purposes. See Category B for other testing and assessment services.
Category B: Accessibility Consulting Services
Vendors in this category offer a variety of professional services specific to IT accessibility, such as strategy and planning, development and QA testing, application and website design, remediation, help desk services, assistive technology scripting services, etc.
- Planning and strategy: Services in support of accessibility planning efforts, such as conducting assessments of accessibility policies and procedures, developing enterprise or agency accessibility improvement strategies, advising on integrating accessibility requirements and best practices in development projects, etc.
- Development/QA testing: Testing services during development of ICT, such as suggesting testing tools, producing test scripts, performing tests, conducting AT user testing, tracking accessibility defects, producing test results reports, etc., as well as assessments of operational systems. Testing services provided under Category B do not meet the standards required for third-party audits as defined in the RFR for Category A or Category F. Please use those categories for auditing needs.
- Web/application design, development, and remediation: Technical services to ensure accessible ICT, such as advising on the strengths and limitations of solutions sets, analyzing external accessibility reports, identifying accessibility problem solutions, producing or editing mark-up or code, etc.
- Assistive technology scripting services: Custom scripting for assistive technology (AT) software to optimize the usability of software programs, websites, or web applications for AT users. Assistive Technology Scripting Services include analysis, script development, and installation support involved in the creation of scripts or plug-ins to customize the use of AT software, to address accessibility deficiencies of websites or installed software or to accommodate other specific needs. This includes, but is not limited to, screen readers, magnification, and speech recognition.
ITS82 Category B Accessibility Consulting Services on COMMBUYS
Category C: Document Remediation Services
The vendors in this category provide accessibility testing and remediation of digital document content, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files, or Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Some vendors also provide services for other file types, such as eBooks.
Category D: Accessibility Training Services
Vendors in this category provide services to train technical, management, and general staff in accessibility requirements and techniques. Training options include in-person and remote sessions (webinars, distance learning, etc.) and services to create and provide custom courses for specific needs. “Vendor Attachments” on COMMBUYS include course offering spreadsheets, course catalogs, and custom training service descriptions and rates.
- Predefined Courses: Courses that can be purchased by seat or class as listed on Course Offering spreadsheets. The spreadsheets include course title, course duration, delivery method, maximum class size, target population, course objectives, cost per course, and course cancellation policy.
- Custom Training Services: Services such as curriculum development, customization of predefined courses, development of course materials, development of electronic on-demand courses, and classroom delivery of custom courses.
ITS82 Category D Accessibility Training Services on COMMBUYS
Category E: Multimedia Transcription, Captioning, and Description Services
Vendors in this category offer production of transcripts, closed or open captions, video description, and related services for audio and/or video content in a variety of commonly used formats.
- Transcription and Captioning Services: Vendors have listed their Transcription and Captioning Services offerings on the Transcription and Captioning Offering spreadsheet. The spreadsheet includes turn-around time, price per playing-time minute of supplied media, accuracy percentage guarantee, formats supported for media and deliverables, number of formats included in the deliverables, the cost to supply additional format(s), and the languages they can transcribe.
- Video Description Services: Services for providing descriptions of key visual information presented in provided video content, including but not limited to production of text descriptions, with or without timing, and audio tracks to replace or supplement existing audio.
- ASL Video Production: Services for providing prerecorded American Sign Language (ASL) videos. Content may or may not include audio tracks and picture-in-picture (“PIP”) formatting. Live ASL interpreting is not included here or elsewhere on ITS82; entities eligible to use the MCD06 contract or its successors may find ASL interpreter services there.
ITS82 Category E Multimedia Transcription, Captioning, and Description Services on COMMBUYS
Category F: IT Hardware Accessibility Audit Services
Third-party testing of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hardware, including but not limited to self-service kiosks, copiers and other office equipment, take home medical devices (of an IT nature), electronic displays, monitors, and access control systems, to identify potential barriers for users with sensory, physical, learning and other disabilities.
ITS82 Category F Assistive Technology Scripting Services on COMMBUYS
Using the Contract
COMMBUYS records for each category include template Request for Quotes (RFQ) and Statement of Work (SOW) specific for this contract.