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BLC0313 Language Services Framework: (PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT )

BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

08 May 2026 at 15:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Jun 2025 at 09:16

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

BlueLight Commercial Limited, a sub-central government public authority, is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process to replace the National Police Language Services Framework, set to commence in September 2027. The focus is on multi-language translation and interpreting services for police forces across England and Wales. This preliminary market engagement aims to gather insights from the Language Services marketplace through a questionnaire, with potential follow-up discussions. Interested organisations are invited to express interest via the e-tender portal by 29th May 2026. The new framework will feature alternative, innovative service delivery models, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective solutions.

This procurement project presents substantial growth opportunities, especially for businesses specialising in translation and interpretation services. With a total projected value of £144 million, it is tailored to include small and medium-sized enterprises as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises. Businesses capable of providing 24/7 services across various platforms — including face-to-face, telephone, video, and non-verbal communication techniques — are well-positioned to benefit from this initiative. The emphasis on value for money and flexibility presents an advantageous environment for innovative language service providers to showcase their capabilities and contribute to a critical national framework.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

BLC0313 Language Services Framework: (PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT )

Notice Description

BlueLight Commercial, on behalf of police forces in England and Wales, is seeking to engage with suppliers ahead of a planned procurement for the provision of multi-language translation and interpreting services operating 24/7 using various delivery formats including: face to face, telephone, video/remote, BSL (and other non-verbal communication techniques), transcription and written/document translation. BlueLight Commercial is looking for alternative and innovative service delivery models that will provide value for money, flexibility, and high-quality service provision to ensure individuals are not disadvantaged within the legal system/processes due to language barriers. This would replace the current National Policing Language Services Dynamic Purchasing Solution (DPS) which was developed specifically for the police and is due to expire in September 2027

Planning Information

In preparation for establishing the replacement National Police Language Services Framework in 2027, comments and feedback are being sought from organisations who currently operate within the Language Services marketplace. As part of this market engagement process, input will be obtained initially using a questionnaire. BlueLight Commercial reserves the right to then follow up with further discussions on any points of interest or clarification with individual organisations. The following documents are being made available, to provide information on how language services are delivered currently (see below for how to access them) • The current National Language Services DPS specification. • The current National Language Services DPS Terms and Conditions • The current PAIT ‘Table’ • A copy of the method statement details which were asked for when the DPS was originally tendered in 2020. • A link to the BlueLight Commercial website, where further information is contained on the current national framework. • The questionnaire for providing feedback into how the future delivery of language services should be considered.* * Please note that if the questionnaire is not available at the point that the Pre Market Engagement Notice is published, it will be added to the etender portal ASAP after launch Access to the documents involved in this market engagement process is to be made via our e-tender portal, InTend Access Link: https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/home It is free to register on the portal. Once registered and logged in, you will need to go to the "Portals" page and find BlueLight Commercial and select "Connect with Organisation" to access our area of the portal. Once connected go to the "Tenders" page and in the keyword search “BLC0313” to find the opportunity, select "View in Portal" and express an interest to access the documentation. Please note that Police Forces in England and Wales will be migrating to the Atamis etendering system towards the end of May 2026. Further details and a link to the Atamis system will be added to the InTend portal

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055245
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042727-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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
£120,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Nov 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2027 - 31 Aug 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL LIMITED
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
SW1P 3JS
Post Town
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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