TERMS AND CONDITIONS
HOURLY RATES: All assignments have a 2 hour minimum fee
(a) My Direct Hire Rate: (hourly rate subject to change depending on nature of request ie. if contracting First Choice Interpreting Service (FCIS) to fill multiple requests or ‘staff’ Interpreters for an ongoing or one time assignment. This will also apply to requests which are technical in nature or require linguistic specialization or knowledge). *See STAFFING BASE RATE*
(b) Staffing Base Rate
Normal business hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m ET, Monday-Friday
Evening/Weekend Differential will be billed an additional $5/hr on top of the hourly rate
(c) Emergency Rate/Last Minute Requests:
(any job requested with less than 72 hours notice) *evening/weekend differential will apply*
(d) Holiday Rate:
All National and Federally recognized holidays will be billed at time and a half *see HOURLY RATES* (evening/weekend differential will apply)
MILEAGE/TRANSPORTATION: Included in hourly rate unless otherwise noted by (FCIS), in which case the standard Government mileage rate will be applied.
PAYMENT OPTIONS/TERMS: Checks, credit cards, and certain electronic payments are accepted at this time such as ACH direct deposit through our invoicing system, Cash App and Venmo. Credit card payments will be charged a processing fee of $7.00 per transaction. We ask that you indicate prior to receiving the invoice, which method you will be using to remit payment. * All final payments are due in full within 30 days of invoice receipt*
(a) Late payments: When an invoice is past due it will incur penalties. Late payments may be subject to additional fees, not to exceed 10% of the full invoice amount, or of $25 USD for each 30 day cycle in which the due amount has not been paid in full. For requests with an estimated final cost of $1,000.00 USD or higher, a deposit of half the total amount will be required to retain services.
(b) Overtime: When assignments go over the scheduled end time they will be billed an adjusted amount based on the quarter hour. Example: A request is made for an interpreter which is scheduled to end at 1:00 PM, but the assignment goes until 1:15 PM. The adjusted rate will be billed to the quarter hour, and every subsequent quarter block until the assignment is completed, rounded up to the nearest whole.
CANCELLATION POLICY: There is no charge when a request for service is cancelled two full business days before the start of the assignment (48 business hours). Any cancellations made thereafter will be billed in full. Client no-shows are covered under the cancellation policy umbrella.
TEAM INTERPRETING: An assignment requiring Sign Language Interpreters, which is scheduled to last longer than 1 hour, and/or may be more rigorous in nature, will be filled by a team of two or more Interpreters. This is done to preserve the integrity of the message, protect the health of the Interpreter(s), as well as provide equitable access to all attendees/participants. Assignments involving multiple sessions or multiple participants in need of interpreting services, may choose to request a team to be assigned to each session or to each participant. ie breakouts/concurrent sessions. In all cases, duration of request is not the singular factor which determines the number of Interpreters needed.
VIRTUAL INTERPRETING : Remote interpreting requests where participants are connected via a virtual platform will be billed at the standard hourly rate with a two hour minimum. Teaming needs will be assessed based on the complexity and needs of the request/assignment, regardless of duration. *see TEAM INTERPRETING*
(a) Tech Checks: When hosting virtual events, there is often a need to pre-conference to ensure stable internet connections, do run-throughs/rehearsals, or walk through with the production team to test the virtual platform. This is outside of typical interpreting duties, however, we understand the complicated logistics of incorporating language accessibility into your events. Interpreters, for any request, will be available at least 15 minutes prior at not extra charge. In the event that the host(s) would like to do any pre-conferencing exceeding 20 minutes in length, whether on the day of or on an agreed upon time and date, this will be billed at the hourly base rate foregoing the two hour minimum. This is to block out the interpreter’s time to be available for the pre-meet. Since tech checks often are not programmed at the time of the request, we cannot guarantee that all assigned interpreters will be available for tech checks. *see STAFFING BASE RATE*
(b) Recording & Re-use Rights: When hosting a virtual event in which the live interpreters will be recorded and archived for future viewings, embedded in the event, this needs to be stated in advance as part of the request. Since the interpreter’s interpretation will be accessible for the foreseeable future and they are unable to dictate when and where this video is shown, a ‘right to record’ fee will be billed at an amount no less than $75 per interpreter, based on complexity and duration of the event.
DEAF INTERPRETERS: The use of Deaf Interpreters (DIs) or Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) will be based on the needs of each interpreting request. C/DIs will be vetted and assessed, meeting the same criteria as Hearing Interpreters (HIs). Contingent on situational dynamics, as well as to meet the needs of native language users, C/DIs will be teamed/partnered with HIs for inclusive and linguistic accuracy. *see TEAM INTERPRETING*
TRANSLATION: This involves requests for any pre-recorded content in which C/DIs and/or HIs will be used. Base rates will apply to all interpreting work performed by the mentioned Interpreters. The time needed to accurately translate said content from the source language will be calculated at half the hourly base rate and added to the actual interpreting time. *see HOURLY RATES*
COORDINATION: When contracting FCIS, or a member of its team to coordinate interpreting services for an event, the entity will be billed according to the standard base rate times the amount of coordination hours. In most cases, the coordinator will be present during the requested interpreting times, and available to serve as a backup/support/additional member of the team. When the Interpreter Coordinator is also scheduled as a working interpreter, the entity will be billed the hourly rate plus half.
REFERRAL FEE: When not contracting FCIS for services but FCIS is referring interpreters to be hired by your Entity, FCIS will charge a fee of $45.
These terms and conditions are subject to change. To inquire of exact dollar amounts or
if you have any questions, please contact us.
(a) My Direct Hire Rate: (hourly rate subject to change depending on nature of request ie. if contracting First Choice Interpreting Service (FCIS) to fill multiple requests or ‘staff’ Interpreters for an ongoing or one time assignment. This will also apply to requests which are technical in nature or require linguistic specialization or knowledge). *See STAFFING BASE RATE*
(b) Staffing Base Rate
Normal business hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m ET, Monday-Friday
Evening/Weekend Differential will be billed an additional $5/hr on top of the hourly rate
(c) Emergency Rate/Last Minute Requests:
(any job requested with less than 72 hours notice) *evening/weekend differential will apply*
(d) Holiday Rate:
All National and Federally recognized holidays will be billed at time and a half *see HOURLY RATES* (evening/weekend differential will apply)
MILEAGE/TRANSPORTATION: Included in hourly rate unless otherwise noted by (FCIS), in which case the standard Government mileage rate will be applied.
PAYMENT OPTIONS/TERMS: Checks, credit cards, and certain electronic payments are accepted at this time such as ACH direct deposit through our invoicing system, Cash App and Venmo. Credit card payments will be charged a processing fee of $7.00 per transaction. We ask that you indicate prior to receiving the invoice, which method you will be using to remit payment. * All final payments are due in full within 30 days of invoice receipt*
(a) Late payments: When an invoice is past due it will incur penalties. Late payments may be subject to additional fees, not to exceed 10% of the full invoice amount, or of $25 USD for each 30 day cycle in which the due amount has not been paid in full. For requests with an estimated final cost of $1,000.00 USD or higher, a deposit of half the total amount will be required to retain services.
(b) Overtime: When assignments go over the scheduled end time they will be billed an adjusted amount based on the quarter hour. Example: A request is made for an interpreter which is scheduled to end at 1:00 PM, but the assignment goes until 1:15 PM. The adjusted rate will be billed to the quarter hour, and every subsequent quarter block until the assignment is completed, rounded up to the nearest whole.
CANCELLATION POLICY: There is no charge when a request for service is cancelled two full business days before the start of the assignment (48 business hours). Any cancellations made thereafter will be billed in full. Client no-shows are covered under the cancellation policy umbrella.
TEAM INTERPRETING: An assignment requiring Sign Language Interpreters, which is scheduled to last longer than 1 hour, and/or may be more rigorous in nature, will be filled by a team of two or more Interpreters. This is done to preserve the integrity of the message, protect the health of the Interpreter(s), as well as provide equitable access to all attendees/participants. Assignments involving multiple sessions or multiple participants in need of interpreting services, may choose to request a team to be assigned to each session or to each participant. ie breakouts/concurrent sessions. In all cases, duration of request is not the singular factor which determines the number of Interpreters needed.
VIRTUAL INTERPRETING : Remote interpreting requests where participants are connected via a virtual platform will be billed at the standard hourly rate with a two hour minimum. Teaming needs will be assessed based on the complexity and needs of the request/assignment, regardless of duration. *see TEAM INTERPRETING*
(a) Tech Checks: When hosting virtual events, there is often a need to pre-conference to ensure stable internet connections, do run-throughs/rehearsals, or walk through with the production team to test the virtual platform. This is outside of typical interpreting duties, however, we understand the complicated logistics of incorporating language accessibility into your events. Interpreters, for any request, will be available at least 15 minutes prior at not extra charge. In the event that the host(s) would like to do any pre-conferencing exceeding 20 minutes in length, whether on the day of or on an agreed upon time and date, this will be billed at the hourly base rate foregoing the two hour minimum. This is to block out the interpreter’s time to be available for the pre-meet. Since tech checks often are not programmed at the time of the request, we cannot guarantee that all assigned interpreters will be available for tech checks. *see STAFFING BASE RATE*
(b) Recording & Re-use Rights: When hosting a virtual event in which the live interpreters will be recorded and archived for future viewings, embedded in the event, this needs to be stated in advance as part of the request. Since the interpreter’s interpretation will be accessible for the foreseeable future and they are unable to dictate when and where this video is shown, a ‘right to record’ fee will be billed at an amount no less than $75 per interpreter, based on complexity and duration of the event.
DEAF INTERPRETERS: The use of Deaf Interpreters (DIs) or Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) will be based on the needs of each interpreting request. C/DIs will be vetted and assessed, meeting the same criteria as Hearing Interpreters (HIs). Contingent on situational dynamics, as well as to meet the needs of native language users, C/DIs will be teamed/partnered with HIs for inclusive and linguistic accuracy. *see TEAM INTERPRETING*
TRANSLATION: This involves requests for any pre-recorded content in which C/DIs and/or HIs will be used. Base rates will apply to all interpreting work performed by the mentioned Interpreters. The time needed to accurately translate said content from the source language will be calculated at half the hourly base rate and added to the actual interpreting time. *see HOURLY RATES*
COORDINATION: When contracting FCIS, or a member of its team to coordinate interpreting services for an event, the entity will be billed according to the standard base rate times the amount of coordination hours. In most cases, the coordinator will be present during the requested interpreting times, and available to serve as a backup/support/additional member of the team. When the Interpreter Coordinator is also scheduled as a working interpreter, the entity will be billed the hourly rate plus half.
REFERRAL FEE: When not contracting FCIS for services but FCIS is referring interpreters to be hired by your Entity, FCIS will charge a fee of $45.
These terms and conditions are subject to change. To inquire of exact dollar amounts or
if you have any questions, please contact us.