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Published 24 May 2024, 16:19 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Interpretation & Translation Services (SBS10519)

Official notice

Authority: NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS & healthcare)

Framework agreement7 lotsServicesOpen procedure
Framework ceiling (notional)£73,000,000total for 7 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 13 Mar 2025
Lots 7see the lot list below

What is being bought7 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

NHS Shared Business Services act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework.

NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Interpretation & Translation Services for Healthcare to be used by NHS SBS Approved Organisations.

Our Approved Organisation list can be found on:

www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-a… ↗

The Framework will be structured using the following Lots

  1. Lot 1 Face to Face (spoken language)
  2. Lot 2 British Sign Language (BSL) (F2F, Video and Document)
  3. Lot 3 Telephone Interpreting
  4. Lot 4 Document Translation and ancillary services
  5. Lot 5 Video Interpretation
  6. Lot 6 One Stop Shop

We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on these elements in the tender.

CPV: Interpretation services · Translation services

Lots and requirements (7)Procurement structure

7 lots · no lot values published
Lot #1Face to Face (spoken language)

This Lot covers the provision of Face to Face Interpretation Services. Suppliers will supply spoken word interpreters, across a range of languages for varied public sector language requirements. This could include interpreters with language specialisms including legal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, IT, media, trauma, children, education, mental health, transportation, engineering, procurement, marketing, housing, benefits, immigration, defence, security, technical and government (central and local).

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #2British Sign Language (BSL)

This Lot covers the provision of BSL Interpretation and Translation Services and ancillary services. Suppliers will supply interpreters or translators able to provide non-verbal communication to the deaf and deaf-blind community for varied public sector requirements.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #3Telephone Interpreting

This Lot covers the provision of Telephone Interpretation, Suppliers will provide telephone based spoken word services across a range of common and rare languages for varied public sector customers

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #4Document Translation and Ancillary Services

This Lot cover the provision of Document Translation services including transcription and ancillary services, such as website localisation services, transcription services and more. Suppliers will provide document translation services across a range of languages across all forms of written texts and performed by qualified translators, Machine translated, or a mixture of both with post translation editing. Documents can be varied and may include manuals, handbooks, marketing brochures, flyers, leaflets and letters, website material, guidance or information documents. File formats may include MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and text, RTF, PDF, Quark, Photoshop and Illustrator plus many more

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #5Video Interpretation

This Lot covers the provision of Video Interpretation Services, both 'On-Demand' and 'Pre-Booked' services with the ability to use commonly used video conferencing software or bespoke portals from suppliers

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #6One Stop Shop (Managed Service)

The One Stop Shop is a comprehensive, managed service that includes all aspects of Interpretation and Translation (spoken, BSL, telephone, video, and document translation)..

This framework has 6 lots which are, Lot 1 Face to Face (spoken language) Lot 2 British Sign Language (BSL) (F2F, Video and Document) Lot 3 Telephone Interpreting Lot 4 Document Translation and ancillary services Lot 5 Video Interpretation and Lot 6 Managed Service.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Up to 24 month extensionVariant bids: not allowed
Lot #7One Stop ShopPlanned

One Stop Shop Interpretation and Translation Service. One Stop Shop offers customers access to all of the services defined under Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 through one Supplier. It is anticipated that delivery of a One Stop shop will enable effective and efficient management of all bookings, service availability, timesheeting, invoicing and management information. Additional information: Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029

Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.

Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.

Delivery: UK

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Lot distribution rule: The Lot structure is indicative at this stage and will be confirmed in any resultant Contract Notice/Tender Notice.Tenders may be submitted for all lots
What this means for your bid
  • “Interpretation & Translation Services (SBS10519)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
24 May 2024, 16:19 BST
Last source update
16 Jan 2025, 16:18 GMT
Award evaluation window
13 Mar 2025 – …
Authority reference
SBS10519
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-001556
Classification (CPV)
Interpretation servicesTranslation services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-046b81 Find a Tender

Publisher note: The value provided in 2.6 is only an estimate. NHS SBS cannot guarantee to successful Suppliers any business through this Framework Agreement. Spend and volumes may vary throughout the life of the Framework Agreement from the anticipated levels given in this notice.

How it was run

Official notice
Appointment period ends
13 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
Submission channel
{"written"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
180 days from the deadline
Bids opened
13 Mar 2025, 13:00 GMT

Timeline

8 Nov 2024 → 13 Mar 2025 · 4 dates
  1. Next notice expected
    8 Nov 2024
  2. Notice published
    16 Jan 2025, 16:18 GMT
  3. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    13 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
  4. Bids opened
    13 Mar 2025, 13:00 GMT

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Jan 2025
  1. Status changed to active
    16 Jan 2025, 16:18 GMT
  2. Procurement method changed
    16 Jan 2025, 16:18 GMT
  3. Deadline published: 13 Mar 2025, 12:00 GMT
    16 Jan 2025, 16:18 GMT

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

NHS Shared Business Services

Contracting authorityNHS & healthcarePublic Sector Framework Provider https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/nhs-sbs-about-usHealth GB-COH: 05280446 Three Cherry Tree Lane, Hemel Hempstead, UK, HP2 7AHContact name, email Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • High Court of England and WalesReview body London

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria