Request for Proposals: Spanish Translation
RFP: Spanish Translation of Content on Michigan Legal Help website
(www.michiganlegalhelp.org)
Responses Due: No later than 5:00pm EST, August 26, 2013
Dates of Engagement: September – December, 2013
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Michigan Poverty Law Program, through the Michigan Legal Help Program, is seeking an
English-to-Spanish translator (individual or firm) to translate the background text of the
Michigan Legal Help website and much of the legal information content on that website.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
MichiganLegalHelp.org is a website for people who are representing themselves in relatively
simple civil legal matters. The website contains legal information in several subject areas:
Family Law, Housing Law, Expungement, Protection from Abuse, Consumer, Public Benefits,
and Income Tax. The legal information comes in the form of articles, common questions,
automated interviews that complete legal forms using information typed in by litigants, and
step-by-step checklists instructing litigants what to do after they have filled out their forms.
The content is written at a 6th grade reading level and in plain language to enable
comprehension by a wide range of individuals needing to represent themselves. Maintaining
this writing style is crucial for the Spanish content.
We are striving to launch all of the Spanish language content on the content development
plan by the end of 2013. We hope to continue translating material after 2013 until the
Spanish version of the site has the same content as the English version. We are beginning
with the materials that we believe have the highest priority, as well as all of the generic text
and content on the site that is necessary for Spanish speakers to successfully navigate the
site. Translation tasks also include translation of two short video scripts and a User’s Guide.
Please see attached Spanish Language Content Development Plan and corresponding
content on www.michiganlegalhelp.org for more details.
RESPONSIBILITIES
•
Coordinate with Michigan Legal Help staff to agree on the most effective format for
providing the final translation.
•
Coordinate with Michigan Legal Help staff to ensure the use of proper business and sectorrelated terms in Spanish.
•
Translate the materials listed in the Spanish Language Content Development Plan from
English to Spanish.
DELIVERABLES
•
Final website text, legal information content, video scripts and User’s Guide text in Spanish;
approximately 140,000 words to be translated
QUALIFICATIONS
•
Excellent attention to detail and proper tone and reading level
•
Ability to understand the target audience and translate materials clearly and concisely
•
Good analytical skills
•
Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks
•
Prior experience with written translation
•
Familiarity with written translation on legal topics preferred
REQUIREMENTS
•
Fluency in Spanish and English
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP PROGRAM
The Michigan Legal Help (MLH) Program is managed by the Michigan Poverty Law Program,
and maintains a statewide interactive website at www.MichiganLegalHelp.org and a number
of affiliated local Self-Help Centers (SHCs). The MLH Program is a grant-funded non-profit
organization.
The MLH website and SHCs provide resources to individuals who are representing
themselves in simple civil legal matters. The resources provide individuals with information
and tools to represent themselves in civil legal matters, and with referrals to local legal aid
agencies, lawyer referral services, legal self-help centers and community resources if they
need more help.
The Michigan Legal Help website was publicly launched in August, 2012, and the first SHCs
were opened in the fall of 2012. Staff are currently working to create additional legal
information content and other resources for the website, and to open new brick-and-mortar
SHCs throughout the state. Since the launch, the site has had over 207,000 visits and
averages 6,000 visits per week at this time. There are five SHCs open now, and plans are
underway to open seven more this year.
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates may submit a proposal, summary of qualifications, references, and cover letter
to: trippa@lsscm.org no later than 5:00pm EST, August 26, 2013. In the subject line of
your email please write: MLHP Spanish Translation. Late and/or incomplete submissions will
not be considered. Questions and requests for clarification can be submitted in writing to
Angela Tripp at trippa@lsscm.org. This RFP does not guarantee or commit the Michigan
Legal Help Program to proceeding with the above described work.
Michigan Legal Help website Spanish Language Content Development plan - 2013
Articles – approximately 56,000 words
Introduction to Divorce with Children
Physical Custody, Legal Custody and Parenting Time
The “Best Interest of the Child” Factors
Mediation and Divorce
How to Serve Divorce Papers
Child Support in a Nutshell
Spousal Support (alimony) in a Nutshell
Real Estate and Divorce
Divorce Basics: Dividing Your Property and Debt
Friend of the Court Overview
Non-Marital Children Born During a Marriage
Finishing your Michigan Divorce with Minor Children
Testimony in Final Divorce Hearing - Divorce with or without minor children
Post-Judgment Issues - Enforcing or changing your Judgment of Divorce
Instructions for completing the Divorce with Minor Children Interview
Introduction to Divorce without Children
Finishing your Michigan Divorce without Minor Children
Instructions for Completing the Divorce without Minor Children Interview
Domestic Violence and Divorce
Overview of Domestic Violence
Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Orders
Being a Defendant in a Divorce Case
Overview of a Custody Case
How to Serve Custody Papers
Minors and Personal Protection Orders
Personal Protection Order Violations and Enforcement
Serving your Personal Protection Order (PPO)
Crossing State Lines with a Personal Protection Order
Getting An Installment Payment Plan
What You Can Expect From Debt Collectors Before Court
An Overview of Garnishment
Garnishment of Tax Refunds
Are You Uncollectible?
Co-mingling of Funds
Electronically Deposited Exempt Federal benefits
Garnishment Exemptions
Objecting to Garnishments
Going to Court to Defend a Debt Collection Case
Defenses in a Debt Collection Case
Setting Aside a Default or Default Judgment in Collection Cases
Toolkits intros – approx. 2,000 words (with some repetition)
I Need a Divorce and I Have Children
I Need a Divorce and I do not Have Children
My Spouse Filed for Divorce and We have Children
My Spouse Filed for Divorce and We have No Children
Domestic Violence and Divorce with Children
Domestic Violence and Divorce without Children
I Need a Custody Order (Not Divorce)
I am a Defendant in a Custody Case (Not Divorce)
I Need a Personal Protection Order - Domestic Relationship
There is a Judgment against me; I’d like to make an Installment Payment Plan
I’m being garnished for a debt (that’s not child support)
I’ve been sued in a debt collection case
Checklists – approx. 36,000 words total (with some repetition)
the four divorce checklists - generic only
Divorce Answer checklists
Custody checklists (Plaintiff and Defendant)
Domestic PPO Checklist
Filing an Answer Checklist
Installment Payment Plan Checklist
Objecting to Garnishment Checklist
Common Questions – approx. 26,660 words total (with some repetition)
all family CQs [16,471 words approx]
all domestic PPO CQs [4000 words approx]
Consumer CQs [6190 words]
Other – approx. 12,000 words
User’s Guide [approx. 2,000 words]
Welcome Video & Going to Court Video [videos approx 9973 words]
Background website text – approx. 7500 words
all titles, headers, breadcrumb, text on home page, text in footer, text of footer pages (except
PR materials and credits), contact us and survey pages, “stay connected” and “change county.”
lexicon – approx. 2,000 words