Tender

NEPO528 Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of British Sign Language Interpreters

THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

17 Mar 2026 at 16:19

Summary of the contracting process

The Association of North East Councils Limited has issued a tender titled "NEPO528 Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of British Sign Language Interpreters," classified under services related to the community. Active as of 17 March 2026, this tender is aligned with the Light Touch Regime based on CELEX Regulation 34 via Schedule 3. It extends the validity of the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) originally due to expire in May 2026, now extended to continue until 31 August 2028 across the UK region. This procurement is at the tender stage and offers a total estimated value of £2,000,000 GBP, with suppliers able to bid for a maximum of 999 lots. Interested vendors should register and submit their tenders through the Open eTendering system by the end of the tender period on 31 August 2028.

This procurement offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in interpretation services for British Sign Language (BSL), catering for both face-to-face engagements and remote video link services. Companies experienced in 24/7 service provision, including speech-to-text and lip-speaking capabilities, will find this an appealing tender due to the varied lot offerings. With a selective procurement method via restricted procedures, businesses that can demonstrate strong economic and technical capabilities stand to benefit from engagement with the regional authority structure to enhance their service delivery footprint across the UK. Suppliers dedicated to innovative approaches in interpreting and who are familiar with dynamic systems will find suitable avenues for establishing or expanding their market presence.

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Notice Title

NEPO528 Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of British Sign Language Interpreters

Notice Description

The NEPO528 - British Sign Language DPS commenced on 24 May 2021 for a term of 60 months and was due to expire on 24 May 2026. The original Contract Notice for this DPS was published on 5 March 2021: 2021/S 000-004508. The purpose of this notice is to extend the period of validity of the DPS for a period of 27 months from 24 May 2026 to 31 August 2028. The value of the DPS remains unchanged and NEPO do not anticipate that the extension of the validity of the DPS requires variation to the published value. NEPO528 - British Sign Language has been established as a 'Dynamic Purchasing System' under a flexible approached based on the concept of Regulation 34 via Schedule 3, under the principles set out in Regulation 74-77 ('The Light Touch Regime'). The opportunity can be accessed via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System must register their expression of interest and submit a tender through the Open eTendering System. Suppliers wishing to access the DPS must first register on the e-Tendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org For guidance on how to create an account or submit your response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training to access the available Training Guides. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via open.support@nepo.org. PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30. NEPO does not give any guarantee and/or warrant the actual value of orders (if any) which will be placed with the successful suppliers by any Contracting Authority using the Dynamic Purchasing System pursuant to this process and accepts no liability thereof.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Face to Face and Video Link

This Lot incorporates all elements of Lot 2 - Face to Face and Lot 3 - Video Link. Providers must be able to supply against all requirements to be considered: * British Sign Language (face to face and video link) * Speech to Text Operator * Lip speaking (face to face and video link) Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.

Renewal: It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to future renewals.

Lot 2 - Face to Face

An Interpreter is physically present in order to allow parties to communicate via the following methods: * British Sign Language * Speech to Text Operator * Lip speaking Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.

Renewal: It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to future renewals.

Lot 3 - Video Link

An Interpreter is present via video link to allow parties to communicate via the following methods: * British Sign Language * Lip speaking Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.

Renewal: It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to renewal.

Lot 4 - Specialist Services

An Interpreter is present to allow parties to communicate via the following methods: * Deafblind Communication * International Sign Language * Deaf Relay Interpreting Services may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and Providers must ensure that they can comply with this requirement.

Renewal: It is anticipated that this DPS will be subject to renewal.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066cae
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024252-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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


CPV Codes

75200000 - Provision of services to the community

79540000 - Interpretation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
31 Aug 20283 years to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS 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
GATESHEAD
Postcode
NE8 3DF
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Gateshead
Electoral Ward
Bridges
Westminster Constituency
Gateshead Central and Whickham

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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