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Language Services

The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

27 May 2025 at 15:21

Award Notice
TenderUpdate

06 May 2025 at 11:43

Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

19 Sep 2024 at 13:08

Tender Notice
Tender

21 Aug 2024 at 14:11

Tender Notice
Planning

10 Oct 2023 at 15:59

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process spearheaded by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, acting through the Crown Commercial Service, involves a significant contract titled "Language Services" valued at £250 million. This procurement represents a comprehensive framework for interpretation services across the United Kingdom and overseas, arranged into five distinct lots. The procurement is in the award phase as of May 2025, addressing the main procurement category of services, specifically focusing on interpretation services as classified under CPV 79540000. The contract runs as a framework agreement, initiated through an open procedure, ensuring broad competition and transparency. The contract covers comprehensive language service components such as translation, transcription, and various interpreting services, requiring a Cyber Essentials certification due to central government involvement in handling personal information.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses capable of providing high-quality language services at competitive prices. Companies proficient in translation, interpreting, transcription, and professional support services are well-positioned to participate. The procurement process attracts a diverse range of businesses, including small to medium enterprises (SMEs), as evidenced by a high number of SME bids in related lots. Successful suppliers are expected to demonstrate flexibility and aptitude in delivering tailored services that meet diverse government and public sector requirements, thereby allowing businesses to expand their service offerings and strengthen their portfolio through government contracts. Thus, firms with robust capabilities in language services, compliance with Cyber Essentials, and the flexibility to operate on a national or international scale are ideal candidates for this contract opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Language Services

Notice Description

The Crown Commercial Service (the Authority) has established a comprehensive Framework Contract for Language Services, encompassing the following key components: Translation Services Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services Telephone Interpreting Spoken and Visual Video Interpreting Services Spoken and Visual Face-to-Face Interpreting Services The Framework Contract was structured into 5 Lots, with Lot 5 requiring overseas requirements to be met.

Lot Information

National Managed Service

This lot encompasses the provision of a comprehensive Managed Service across the United Kingdom. Suppliers selected for Lot 1 must deliver a flexible solution, allowing the Buyer to call off one, some, or all services. The services, provided by Suppliers awarded to Lot 1, should cover advisory services, administrative support, and efficient business processes, tailored to meet the diverse language service requirements of the Buyer. Spoken and Visual Translation, Transcription, Stenography, Recording and Support Services Spoken Telephone and Spoken and Visual Video Interpreting Spoken and Visual Face to Face Interpreting Additional information: Lot 1 - National Managed Service = 21 places

Renewal: The initial duration of the Framework is 3 years, with an option to extend for a further period of twelve (12) months. CCS reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations

Translation and Supporting Services

The provision of Translation and Support Services throughout the United Kingdom. Translation: The conversion of written documents into another language as text. Support Services: Additional services which include documentation formatting and file recreation. Please note that this Lot would not support any visual or tactile requirements such as Braille or In-vision BSL, refer to Lot 4 for these services. Additional information: Lot 2 - Translation and Supporting Services = 22 places

Renewal: The initial duration of the Framework is 3 years, with an option to extend for a further period of twelve (12) months. CCS reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations

Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services

This lot entails the provision of Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services throughout the United Kingdom. These included: Transcription Services: The conversion of recorded speech into a written format, delivered remotely or onsite. Recording Services: In person or remote recording and logging servicing. Stenography Services: The provision of Stenographers to take dictation using either shorthand notation or a stenotype machine, then later transcribe their notes into formal documents/records either remotely or onsite Additional information: Lot 3 - Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 14 places

Renewal: The initial duration of the Framework is 3 years, with an option to extend for a further period of twelve (12) months. CCS reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations

Visual Interpreting Services

This Lot facilitated communication for the Deaf, Deafblind, and others requiring support through the following services: Interpreting Services: The provision of face to face and remote (VRS/VRI) interpreting services. Translation Services: The provision of visual translation services, including BSL invision, braille and other visual/tactile translation services. Transcription Services: The provision of subtitling and or captioning services. Additional information: Lot 4 - Visual Interpreting Services = 12 places

Renewal: The initial duration of the Framework is 3 years, with an option to extend for us to extend for a further period of twelve (12) months. CCS reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations

Overseas and UK Interpreting Services

This Lot facilitated the provision of Spoken Face to Face Interpreting Services throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas. Suppliers awarded to this Lot are expected to deliver tailored solutions covering advisory services, administrative support, and efficient business processes to ensure effective delivery of services within the UK and Overseas. Additional information: Lot 5 - Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 11 places

Renewal: The initial duration of the Framework is 3 years, with an option to extend for a further period of twelve (12) months. CCS reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-040ace
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027809-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

48 - Software package and information systems

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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

CPV Codes

32232000 - Video-conferencing equipment

32353000 - Sound recordings

48521000 - Music or sound editing software package

48740000 - Foreign language translation software package

64211000 - Public-telephone services

72212740 - Foreign language translation software development services

75230000 - Justice services

79510000 - Telephone-answering services

79530000 - Translation services

79540000 - Interpretation services

79551000 - Typing services

79552000 - Word-processing services

79821100 - Proofreading services

79822300 - Typesetting services

79822500 - Graphic design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£250,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£250,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£250,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 May 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
20 Sep 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
11 Jul 2024Expired
Award Date
7 May 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
Additional Buyers

Crown Commercial Service

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 9PP
Postcode Area
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
City Centre North
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

See Contracts Finder Notice for full supplier list

Further Information

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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