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Interpreting, Translation and Transcription

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

31 Jul 2026 at 08:56

Award Notice
Tender

08 Aug 2025 at 13:40

Tender Notice
Planning

16 Dec 2024 at 15:14

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government established a multi-supplier framework for interpreting, translation and transcription services across the Scottish public sector. It covers four service areas: face-to-face interpreting in a wide range of spoken languages and dialects; telephone and video interpreting, including scheduled video assignments; accurate translation and transcription of documents, tapes and other electronic media, including English-to-English work; and British and international sign-language interpreting, both face to face and by video remote interpreting. The framework is intended for Scottish Ministers and their agencies, public bodies, councils, social landlords, health boards, education institutions and other eligible Scottish public authorities, as well as registered Scottish charities and voluntary organisations. Delivery is across Scotland.

This procurement has been awarded following an open procedure and the framework contracts were signed on 13 July 2026. Lot 1, face-to-face interpreting, was awarded to Global Connections (Scotland) Ltd and Global Language Services Ltd for £9,000,000. Lot 2, telephone and video interpreting, was awarded to DA Languages Limited and Language Line Limited for £4,000,000. Lot 3, translation and transcription, was awarded to DA Languages Limited and Global Connections (Scotland) Ltd for £3,000,000. Lot 4, British and international sign-language services, was awarded to Sign Solutions for £4,000,000. Each contract is active and runs for 1,440 days, with a possible four-year renewal. Evaluation was 60% quality and 40% price. The framework’s estimated value was £20,000,000, with a possible maximum of £30,000,000.

This opportunity demonstrates recurring Scottish public-sector demand for language access and communication services, delivered through a framework with several suppliers rather than a single provider. Relevant competitors would need dependable coverage across spoken languages and dialects, with the operational ability to provide face-to-face, telephone and scheduled or remote video interpreting. Translation and transcription providers would need to handle highly accurate work across documents, recordings and other electronic media, including English-to-English requirements. Sign-language specialists would need both British and international capability, covering face-to-face and video remote interpreting. Suppliers should be able to support public-sector assignments across Scotland, manage electronic ordering and payment processes, and meet professional indemnity insurance of at least £1,000,000 per incident and public liability insurance of at least £1,000,000 per incident. The awarded suppliers were all SMEs, indicating that specialist smaller businesses can compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Interpreting, Translation and Transcription

Notice Description

Scottish Ministers are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Interpreting, Translation and Transcription Services for Framework Public Bodies throughout the Scottish Public Sector. The Framework is a multi-lot/multi-supplier agreement and has 4 lots covering the provision of: Lot 1 - Face to Face Interpreting Services Lot 2 - Telephone and Video Conferencing Interpreting Services Lot 3 - Translation and Transcription Services Lot 4 - Sign Language Services - British and International Under Lot 1 - Face to Face Interpreting Services, the Contractor will provide a comprehensive face to face interpreting service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages as requested by Framework Public Bodies Under Lot 2 - Telephone and Video Conferencing Interpreting Services, the Contractor will provide a telephone and video interpreting service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages. This will include a scheduled video interpreting service for Framework Public Body assignments booked in advance. This can be either via the Framework Public Body video portal or via the Contractor video portal. Under Lot 3 - Translation and Transcription Services, the Contractor will provide a translation and transcription service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages as requested by Framework Public Bodies. The Contractor will also be required to provide an English-to-English service. The service required includes a highly accurate translation and transcription of style documentation, tapes and other forms of electronic media. Under Lot 4 - Sign Language Services - British and International, the Contractor is required to provide both a comprehensive face to face sign language interpreting service and a Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) sign language service to fulfil the current and evolving needs of the Framework Public Bodies.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Face to Face Interpreting Services

Under Lot 1 - Face to Face Interpreting Services, the Contractor will provide a comprehensive face to face interpreting service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages as requested by Framework Public Bodies

Renewal: The Framework will be in place for a 4 year period, after this the Framework may be subject to renewal.

Lot 2 - Telephone and Video Conferencing Interpreting Services

Under Lot 2 - Telephone and Video Conferencing Interpreting Services, the Contractor will provide a telephone and video interpreting service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages. This will include a scheduled video interpreting service for Framework Public Body assignments booked in advance. This can be either via the Framework Public Body video portal or via the Contractor video portal.

Renewal: The Framework will be in place for a 4 year period, after this the Framework may be subject to renewal.

Lot 4 - Sign Language Services - British and International

Under Lot 4 - Sign Language Services - British and International, the Contractor is required to provide both a comprehensive face to face sign language interpreting service and a Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) sign language service to fulfil the current and evolving needs of the Framework Public Bodies.

Renewal: The Framework will be in place for a 4 year period, after this the Framework may be subject to renewal.

Lot 3 - Translation and Transcription Services

Under Lot 3 - Translation and Transcription Services, the Contractor will provide a translation and transcription service from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or other languages as requested by Framework Public Bodies. The Contractor will also be required to provide an English-to-English service. The service required includes a highly accurate translation and transcription of style documentation, tapes and other forms of electronic media.

Renewal: The Framework will be in place for a 4 year period, after this the Framework may be subject to renewal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04c86a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072462-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79530000 - Translation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£16,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
14 Apr 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
within 4 years.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Government
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH6 6QQ
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Leith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
5
Supplier Names

Global Connections (Scotland) Ltd

Global Language Services Ltd

DA Languages Limited

Language Line Limited

Sign Solutions

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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