Tender

Provision of Professional Interpreting and Translation Services

KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

25 Jan 2026 at 12:27

Planning

08 Aug 2025 at 14:32

Summary of the contracting process

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently in the tender phase for a contract focused on the "Provision of Professional Interpreting and Translation Services," with a notable deadline for expressions of interest on 6th February 2026 and the award period concluding on 1st April 2026. The Trust, situated in London, is leveraging a Competitive Flexible Procedure as outlined in the Procurement Act 2023. The services are intended to be utilised across multiple sites including King’s College Hospital and other associated healthcare facilities. This procurement falls under the services category, specifically targeting interpretation and translation support across a diverse linguistic patient base, and seeks to integrate advanced technology solutions for service delivery. The contract value stands at £1,440,000 gross with potential extensions post-2028.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in language services, particularly those with expertise in digital and AI-assisted communication technologies. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are well-positioned to compete, given the emphasis on innovative service models and the ability to deliver across multiple NHS locations. The Trust's commitment to equitable access and high service standards, including performance tracking against key metrics, offers a vibrant platform for businesses that can demonstrate technical proficiency and social value, as reflected in the tender's weightage on quality and price criteria.

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Notice Title

Provision of Professional Interpreting and Translation Services

Notice Description

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (the "Contracting Authority"), acting through its wholly owned subsidiary King's Facilities Management (KFM), invites suitably qualified and experienced providers to participate in a Competitive Flexible Procedure for the Provision of Interpretation and Translation Services across all King's sites, including King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill), Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, Beckenham Beacon, Queen Mary's Sidcup, and associated community locations. The Trust serves a highly diverse population, representing over 120 languages, and seeks to procure a comprehensive, responsive, and technology-enabled language support service to ensure equitable access to healthcare. The service will include: Face-to-face, telephone, video, and AI-assisted interpretation (including British Sign Language and non-spoken communication support). Translation services for clinical and non-clinical documents in multiple formats, with appropriate human verification of AI-assisted outputs. Real-time digital booking and reporting systems, capable of integration with NHS systems and compliant with NHS Information Governance and the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. Performance monitoring against defined KPIs, including minimum 95-98% fill rates, rapid response to urgent requests, and at least 90% patient satisfaction. The service aims to deliver cost-effective, high-quality, and inclusive communication support aligned with the Trust's equality, diversity, and digital transformation objectives. Providers will be expected to demonstrate innovation, use of AI and automation responsibly, and capacity to deliver across a multi-site NHS environment. This opportunity will follow a multi-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Stage 1 and 2 will involve assessment of Supplier Information Questionnaires (SIQs) and tender submission. Upon evaluation, shortlisted suppliers will be invited to demonstration, negotiation and BAFO - Stage 3.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Extendable by 1 year

Renewal: 1 year optional extension

Planning Information

This engagement will focus on engagement with prospective suppliers on high-quality Translation and Interpretation Service to support the communication needs of patients across King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this process, a Request for Information (RFI) will be issued in August 2025 to the market to gain insight into current industry trends, innovative service delivery models, and potential efficiencies. The RFI will enable the Trust to better understand supplier capabilities and market direction, helping to shape a well-informed tender specification. The ultimate objective is to ensure the successful implementation of a service model underpinned by the appropriate tools, systems, and expertise to provide consistent, reliable, and compliant translation and interpretation support. The selected supplier will be expected to meet NHS standards while facilitating equitable access to healthcare services for all patients, regardless of language or communication needs.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05846e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006414-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible 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
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Jan 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2029-07-02

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Additional Buyers

KCH INTERVENTIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LLP

KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Contact Name
David Kayondo, Sunday Okhria
Contact Email
david.kayondo@nhs.net, s.okhiria1@nhs.net
Contact Phone
0204 566 8234, 02045340573

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE5 9NY
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
TLI London, TLI45 Lambeth

Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction
Westminster Constituency
Dulwich and West Norwood

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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