Tender

Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

26 Sep 2025 at 14:51

Planning

14 Mar 2025 at 12:54

Summary of the contracting process

Southend-on-Sea City Council is actively seeking a single service provider to deliver comprehensive Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services. The services required include face-to-face, telephone, and video interpreting, as well as British Sign Language interpreting and translation services. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage with an open procedure. The deadline for submission of tenders is set for 31st October 2025 at 12 noon. The contract, with an estimated gross value of £1,700,000, is planned to commence on 1st April 2026 and will initially run until 31st March 2029, with a possible extension for an additional three years. The services will be delivered in the region of UKH31, covering Southend-on-Sea in Essex, supporting diverse communication needs across various community and government interactions.

This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for enterprises specialising in language services, including SMEs and VCSEs. Providers with expertise in delivering quality and efficient interpretation services are well-suited, given the council's emphasis on quality (80% weight) and competitive pricing (20% weight) in the award criteria. The successful bidder will play a vital role in enhancing the council's communication with diverse and special needs groups, thereby increasing accessibility and inclusivity of public services. Engaging with this tender could help position a business as a leading service provider in public sector interpretation and translation services, broadening their market presence and expanding their service offerings.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services

Notice Description

Southend-on-Sea City Council is looking for a single service provider to deliver a seamless, end-to-end Interpretation, Translation and Transcription service. The services sought under this contract are written translations and interpretation (including BSL) specifically: * Face-to-face interpreting * Telephone interpreting (pre-booked and on-demand) * Video interpreting (pre-booked and on-demand) * Written translations (audio transcripts including subtitles, proof-reading, certification, and notary) * British Sign Language Interpreting * British Sign Language Translation It is anticipated that the contract term will be from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029, with the option to extend for a period of up to 3 years (subject to contract review and budget availability). The deadline for submission of tenders is 12 noon on Friday 31st October 2025. The tender documentation can be found here: https://procurement.southend.gov.uk/ The contracting authority is Southend-on-Sea City Council and any Successor Body meaning one or more entities which assumes any of the Council's functions (as applicable) as a result of Local Government Reform (LGR). Such successor body or bodies may be, without limitation, a local authority, a combined county authority, a strategic authority or any other status determined pursuant to the Devolution and LGR Legislation

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: For a period of up to 3 years (subject to contract review and budget availability).

Planning Information

A survey will be issued to those to express an interest to be part of the market engagement for the Interpretation and Translation services. This will be issued via email using Microsoft Forms.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ed49
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060267-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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

79530000 - Translation services

79540000 - Interpretation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,700,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
5 May 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-09-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementops@southend.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHEND ON SEA
Postcode
SS2 6FA
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Delivery Location
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea

Local Authority
Southend-on-Sea
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Southend East and Rochford

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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