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Language Services Lot 1: Primary Spoken Interpreting

Ministry of Justice

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

13 Feb 2026 at 16:07

Award Notice
Award

16 Jan 2026 at 16:10

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice has successfully awarded a contract for language services centred around primary spoken interpreting, with a contract value of £208,700,000. This extensive undertaking covers face-to-face, telephone, and video interpreting services across various regions in the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The process followed an open procurement method, concluding at the award stage on 17th December 2025, with the formal notice published on 16th January 2026. The contracted period extends from 5th October 2026 to 4th October 2030, with potential extensions up to 2033. Located in London, the Ministry of Justice serves as the buyer, engaging thebigword Group Holdings Limited based in Leeds as the supplier under this contract.

This contract presents a substantial growth opportunity for large-scale businesses specialising in interpretation services. Given the vast regional coverage and service categories, companies with expertise in multilingual and cross-cultural communication could leverage this contract to expand their reach and influence across the UK. The open procurement method aligns with broader inclusion, allowing businesses with robust capabilities and infrastructure in interpreting services to position themselves competitively in future procurement opportunities within the interpretation industry. While the contract does not specifically target SMEs or VCSEs, it opens a significant avenue for larger enterprises looking to diversify and strengthen their presence in public service sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Language Services Lot 1: Primary Spoken Interpreting

Notice Description

The provision of spoken language interpreting including face to face, telephone and video interpreting services. The interpreter in all cases must convert the spoken language from one language to another enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other. Additional information: This contract has 3 years optional extensions with a final end date of 2033.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cc82d2cf-2db7-4ba1-bb83-f2527d0a23de
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£208,700,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£208,700,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Nov 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Dec 20258 months ago
Contract Period
5 Oct 2026 - 4 Oct 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Justice
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland, TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

thebigword Group Holdings Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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