This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 16:05

Summary of the contracting process

The participating organisations are University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest CIC. They are procuring a professionally managed face-to-face foreign-language interpretation service for patients, carers and healthcare professionals when English is not the patient’s first or preferred language. The service is intended to replace existing arrangements and support safe communication, equitable access to healthcare and a positive patient experience. The work is healthcare interpretation, classified under CPV 79540000 (interpretation services), delivered for the participating healthcare organisations in Plymouth and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. This is a service opportunity rather than a goods supply or construction contract.

The procurement has reached tender: the participating organisations invited offers through an open procedure above the threshold. The deadline for submitting tenders is 26 October 2026 at 12:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 11 December 2026 to 10 December 2029. Its estimated value is £300,000. The tender covers one service requirement, with face-to-face foreign-language interpretation as its subject. The buyer has stated that tender participation is managed through the Atamis e-sourcing portal. The published requirement prioritises consistent service delivery, interpreter quality and responsiveness, so suppliers should examine the tender documents for the detailed service specification and requirements before deciding whether to bid.

This opportunity suits specialist language-service providers able to deliver professionally managed face-to-face interpretation in healthcare settings. Strong candidates will need reliable systems for arranging interpreters, maintaining service continuity and responding promptly to requests from patients, carers and healthcare professionals. The requirement favours providers that can demonstrate interpreter quality, dependable operational management and an understanding of patient safety, equal access and positive patient experience. It may also suit smaller and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations. Suppliers with experience supporting NHS or other healthcare communication, broad foreign-language coverage, appropriate quality assurance and sufficient interpreter capacity across the participating organisations are likely to be well placed to compete.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Face to Face Translation Services Contract

Notice Description

This procurement is being undertaken jointly by: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Devon Partnership NHS Trust Livewell Southwest CIC Collectively referred to throughout this specification as the Participating Organisations. The Participating Organisations require the provision of a professionally managed Face to Face Foreign Language Interpretation Service to support communication between patients, carers and healthcare professionals where English is not the patient's first or preferred language. The purpose of this procurement is to establish replacement arrangements for existing contracts and to secure a high quality, efficient and reliable interpretation service that supports patient safety, equitable access to healthcare services and a positive patient experience. Consistency in service delivery, interpreter quality and responsiveness are key priorities for the Participating Organisations. Additional information: To express interest and participate in the tender, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. Should Tenderers have any queries, or having problems using the portal, they should contact Helpdesk at: Phone: 0800 9956035 E-mail: support-health@atamis.co.uk

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-c784039f-3789-433a-a7ec-7b17a9920029
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cba3aabd-e8a3-4334-acea-cc8f7fae6a1e
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79540000 - Interpretation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
26 Oct 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Dec 2026 - 10 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PLYMOUTH
Postcode
PL6 8DH
Postcode Area
Plymouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
Moor View
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Moor View

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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