Planning

Interpretation and Translation Services (BC)

NHS BLACK COUNTRY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Aug 2025 at 09:42

Summary of the contracting process

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU, on behalf of NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), is in the planning stage of a procurement process to engage a supplier for Interpretation and Translation Services. This initiative is part of the Competitive Flexible Process under The Procurement Act 2023 and focuses on the provision of integrated language and communication services in the Black Country region. Interested suppliers are invited to a virtual market engagement event on 16th September 2025 at 13:00 to 14:30 via MS Teams. This is followed by optional 30-minute sessions on 17th and 22nd September 2025 for further individual discussions. Suppliers must complete an online questionnaire by 17:00 on 12th September 2025 to participate in the engagement event and seek further clarification.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in language services, including British Sign Language, written and spoken translation, and neurodiverse and learning disabilities advocacy. Companies with innovative digital solutions and capabilities to improve English proficiency and communication in primary care settings will be well-suited to participate. The estimated contract value is £1,120,000 GBP. Engaging with this tender could enable such businesses to expand their footprint in the healthcare sector, collaborating closely with NHS Black Country ICB to address and fulfil the evolving needs of the regional healthcare landscape. Participation encourages suppliers to showcase their expertise, influencing the procurement approach tailored to meet the demands of the Black Country's healthcare services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Interpretation and Translation Services (BC)

Notice Description

***THIS NOTICE IS FOR A MARKET ENGAGEMENT EVENT ONLY*** <br/><br/>NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU on behalf of NHS Black Country ICB (BC) (referred to as the Commissioner), intend to conduct a Competitive Flexible Process under The Procurement Act 2023 to seek a suitably experienced and qualified supplier to provide Interpretation and Translation Services. The procurement route will be finalised following the market engagement. Suppliers are invited to attend a virtual market engagement event where the Commissioner will discuss their requirements and seek feedback from the market.<br/><br/>The aim of the service is to provide an integrated language and communication service for patients accessing primary care services commissioned by NHS Black Country ICB.<br/><br/>Further details can be found in II.2.4.1.<br/><br/>The virtual market engagement event will be held on 16th September 2025 at 13:00 to 14:30, via MS Teams, with a 30-minute 1:1 session being offered on 17th September 2025 between 09:00 and 17:00 and 22nd September 2025 between 09:00 and 17:00. Attendance to the market engagement event on 16th September 2025 is mandatory should you require a follow up 30-minute 1:1 session to ensure fairness across all suppliers.<br/><br/>You are invited to complete a questionnaire and confirm your attendance to the market engagement event, and confirm if you would like a follow up 30-minute 1:1 session, by accessing Atamis (Health Family) (https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome), search for project "C380665 - Interpretation and Translation Service (BC) - Market Engagement" and complete the online questionnaire by 17:00 12th September 2025.<br/><br/>You will be able to locate and access the MS Teams invitation within the documents area, along with further information regarding the service.<br/><br/>An invitation will be issued for the allocated 30-minute time slot. Sessions will be scheduled on a first come first served basis.

Lot Information

Lot 1

***THIS NOTICE IS FOR A MARKET ENGAGEMENT EVENT ONLY***

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU on behalf of NHS Black Country ICB (BC) (referred to as the Commissioner), intend to conduct a Competitive Flexible Process under The Procurement Act 2023 to seek a suitably experienced and qualified supplier to provide Interpretation and Translation Services. The procurement route will be finalised following the market engagement. Suppliers are invited to attend a virtual market engagement event where the Commissioner will discuss their requirements and seek feedback from the market.

The procurement is intended to be published as a Lotted procurement, as per the below Lots:
1) British Sign Language (BSL)
2) Written and Spoken, including digital solutions
3) Neurodiverse and Learning Disabilities Advocacy

The aims of the service is to provide an integrated language and communication service for patients accessing primary care services commissioned by NHS Black Country ICB.

The service aims are to:
* Deliver a place-based language and communication system that actively promotes collaborative working to improve English language proficiency and puts the outcomes of our population at the heart
* Meet existing demand for primary care interpreting services and manage future growth in demand of interpreting services
* Utilise a range of language and communication modes capitalising on the latest technological and digital developments.
* Enable primary care staff to have access to timely, high quality, language and communication services for patients accessing primary care services.
* Improve levels of patient confidence and activation to overcome language and communication barriers.
* Provision of signposting to establish referrals into local English language (ESOL) providers or equivalent across the ICB footprint. Work in partnership with stakeholders to improve access to opportunities to improve independence, confidence and patient activation.
* Be proactive in identifying unwanted variation in access to language and communication services across the ICB footprint.

The purpose and outcome of this market engagement is to:
* Develop the Commissioners requirements and approach to the procurement;
* Identify suitably experienced and qualified suppliers that may be able to provide an Interpretation and Translation service in all four places within the Black Country ICS; and
* Engage with interested parties to explore the current capacity and capability of the market to meet the requirements.

The virtual market engagement event will be held on 16th September 2025 at 13:00 to 14:30, via MS Teams, with a 30-minute 1:1 session being offered on 17th September 2025 between 09:00 and 17:00 and 22nd September 2025 between 09:00 and 17:00. Attendance to the market engagement event on 16th September 2025 is mandatory should you require a follow up 30-minute 1:1 session to ensure fairness across all suppliers.

You are invited to complete a questionnaire and confirm your attendance to the market engagement event, and confirm if you would like a follow up 30-minute 1:1 session, by accessing Atamis (Health Family) (https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome), search for project "C380665 - Interpretation and Translation Service (BC) - Market Engagement" and complete the online questionnaire by 17:00 12th September 2025.

You will be able to locate and access the MS Teams invitation within the documents area, along with further information regarding the service.

An invitation will be issued for the allocated 30-minute time slot. Sessions will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. Additional information: You are invited to complete a questionnaire and confirm your attendance to the market engagement event, and confirm if you would like a follow up 30-minute 1:1 session, by accessing Atamis (Health Family) (https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome), search for project "C380665 - Interpretation and Translation Service (BC) - Market Engagement" and complete the online questionnaire by 17:00 12th September 2025.

This is a Procurement Act 2023 Notice. Any award of contract for this requirement is subject to the Procurement Act 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 do not apply. In addition, neither the placement of this notice nor any subsequent notice shall bind the Commissioner to the award of any contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058c9f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050771-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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
£1,120,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Aug 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
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
NHS BLACK COUNTRY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Kimberley Walker
Contact Email
kimberley.walker13@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WOLVERHAMPTON
Postcode
WV1 1SH
Post Town
Wolverhampton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG39 Wolverhampton
Delivery Location
TLG3 West Midlands

Local Authority
Wolverhampton
Electoral Ward
St Peters
Westminster Constituency
Wolverhampton West

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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