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Translation and Interpretation Services

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jul 2026 at 16:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council is procuring translation and interpretation services through a framework. The requirement covers face-to-face, video and telephone interpretation, written translation, and British Sign Language (BSL). It is divided into two service areas: interpretation, including BSL, and written translation. The services are intended to support the Council’s public-facing and administrative activities. Suppliers specialising in language interpretation, BSL provision, written translation, or a combination of these services may be relevant. The procurement is for services rather than goods or construction works, and the framework is intended to provide access to providers for the Council’s requirements across its service operations.

The process has reached tender: the Council invited offers using an open procedure under the Open Framework Procedure. The enquiry deadline was 17 August 2026 at 16:00, and the tender submission deadline was 24 August 2026 at 16:00. The intended contract start date is 15 December 2026, with the framework running to 14 December 2034. The estimated value is £650,000 for Lot 1 and £650,000 for Lot 2; these are lot values and should not be added together. Each lot uses the same evaluation: price 45%, quality 35% and social value 20%. The framework will initially appoint up to three providers to each lot, with a further competitive opening planned towards the end of the first three years.

This opportunity suits language service providers able to deliver a mixture of interpreting and translation services at the required scale. Lot 1 is relevant to suppliers providing face-to-face, video and telephone interpretation, including British Sign Language. Lot 2 suits providers specialising in written translation. Businesses may bid for the service area that matches their capability, or for both where they can demonstrate the necessary range. The Council has identified both lots as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Providers should be prepared to demonstrate service quality and deliver social value, as these together account for 55% of the evaluation. The framework structure creates opportunities for multiple providers, but places are limited to three per lot and are not guaranteed for the full framework period.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Translation and Interpretation Services

Notice Description

The Borough Council of Bolton ("the Authority") is prepared to receive tenders for their Translation and Interpretation Services Framework. This Procurement is being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, using the Open Framework Procedure. The Framework period will be up to eight (8) years. It is intended for the contract to commence 15 December 2026, subject to the information, specification and tender package enclosed. The Authority require providers to provide face to face, video and telephone interpretation along with written translation and British Sign Language (BSL). Lot 1 - Interpretation including British Sign Language Lot 2 - Written Translation The open framework is intended to be a series of linked frameworks which will run for a total of 8 years across the scheme, with two lots and an initial 3 providers across each lot. A review of the framework will take place towards the end of the first three years when the framework will be reopened, providing for the award of a successive framework on substantially the same terms. The Authority retains the right to reopen the Framework within the first 3 years if deemed necessary. Each opening requires a competitive process to ensure the most economic providers are awarded a place on the Framework. As there is a maximum of 3 providers for each Lot, Suppliers who have already been awarded a place on the Framework are required to reapply and may not be included on the successive Framework. Suppliers are not guaranteed a place on the Framework for its full duration.

Lot Information

Interpretation including British Sign Language

See Invitation to Tender for details of the call off process.

Written Translation

See Invitation to Tender.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d3aa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070470-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Dec 2026 - 14 Dec 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BOLTON
Postcode
BL1 1RU
Postcode Area
Bolton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD36 Greater Manchester North West
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Local Authority
Bolton
Electoral Ward
Queens Park & Central
Westminster Constituency
Bolton North East

Further Information

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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