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Language Services Framework 2027

Bristol City Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

21 Oct 2026 at 15:38

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bristol City Council is establishing a framework for translation and interpreting services to support accessible and equal access to council services. The work is divided into six service areas: face-to-face interpretation, telephone interpretation, video interpretation, written translation, British Sign Language interpretation, and written or recorded British Sign Language translation. The framework is intended to provide the Council with access to qualified interpreters and suppliers, with consistent service standards and clear contractual arrangements. Delivery is specified across England, including the South West, South East, London, the Midlands, the East of England, the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The Council invited offers through an open procedure. The procurement is a framework agreement, with contracts awarded with or without a further competition; suppliers are ranked by their overall scores. It is divided into six lots, and a supplier may receive a place on all six if it meets the criteria, although no supplier may be awarded more than one place per lot. The enquiry deadline was 12 November 2026 at 12:00, and the submission deadline was 20 November 2026 at 12:00. The contract period is due to start on 1 February 2027 and run to 31 January 2029, with two 24-month extensions available. Each lot is valued at £2.3 million excluding VAT (£2.76 million including VAT). Evaluation is 60% price, 23% quality and 17% social value.

This opportunity suits translation and interpreting providers able to deliver one or more of the six distinct service types, from in-person, telephone and video interpreting to written translation and British Sign Language services, including recorded translation. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are expressly considered suitable. The Council is seeking a pool of qualified suppliers able to provide high-quality language support, meet defined service standards and respond efficiently to demand. A supplier can compete across all service areas, but the procurement limits awards to one supplier per lot; a successful supplier may nevertheless secure places across all six lots if it meets the requirements. Quality and social value together account for 40% of the evaluation, alongside price.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Language Services Framework 2027

Notice Description

Bristol City Council is looking to Procure and establish a new corporate Translation and Interpreting Services (TIS) framework to ensure continued access to high-quality language services at competitive prices, supporting the Council's responsibilities for accessibility and equality. The framework provides a trusted pool of qualified interpreters and suppliers, enabling: 1. Efficient access to appropriate language support without delays 2. Consistent service quality and defined standards 3. Clear contractual arrangements that support transparency and accountability

Lot Information

Lot 1 (Face-to-Face Interpretation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality face-to-face interpretation service as per the specified requirements.

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Lot 2 (Telephone Interpretation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality telephone interpretation service as per the specified requirements.

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Lot 3 (Video Interpretation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality video interpretation service as per the specified requirements

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Lot 4 (Written Translation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality written translation service as per the specified requirements.

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Lot 5 (British Sign Language Interpretation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality British Sign Language Interpretation service as per the specified requirements.

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Lot 6 (British Sign Language Recorded Translation)

To successfully deliver a high-quality British Sign Language (BSL) written/recorded translation service as per the specified requirements.

Options: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Renewal: 24 months with 2 extensions available

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078d29
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099618-2026
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
£2,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,300,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 2-3 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
Bristol City 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
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 5TR
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Hotwells and Harbourside
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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