---
title: "Collaborate Framework for the Provision of Interpreting and Translation Services - update on Lot 1"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-64199643-2c06-49e2-a725-b0acda8a179e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-64199643-2c06-49e2-a725-b0acda8a179e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-64199643-2c06-49e2-a725-b0acda8a179e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-64199643-2c06-49e2-a725-b0acda8a179e.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE"
published: "2022-03-25"
---

# Collaborate Framework for the Provision of Interpreting and Translation Services - update on Lot 1

Buyer: THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-64199643-2c06-49e2-a725-b0acda8a179e

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## Summary

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is conducting a procurement process for the "Collaborate Framework for the Provision of Interpreting and Translation Services", specifically focusing on Lot 1 for Face to Face and Video Interpretation Services. The procurement is currently in the Award stage, with the contract awarded on 15 March 2022. The estimated framework value is £10,000,000, which includes provisions for unforeseen demand. The contract period spans from 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2026, with the bidding period having ended on 6 September 2021. The services will be provided primarily in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, under the categories of translation and interpretation services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in interpreting and translation services, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and those with voluntary and community sector enterprise (VCSE) statuses. Companies that can provide high-quality face-to-face and video interpretation services may find a suitable environment to grow their offerings, although there are no guarantees regarding usage or volume under this framework. Suppliers should be prepared to meet performance standards, as contractors who fail to deliver satisfactorily may face penalties, which underscores the importance of reliable service delivery in this competitive bidding environment.

## Notice

A contract notice was published, however unable to link it within this award notice. The contract notice details are as follows: Publication reference: 2021/S 000-019099 Publication date:6 August 2021 Corrigendum notice: Publication reference: 2021/S 000-028247 Publication date: 11 November 2021 Contract award notice - Lots 2 to 4 only Publication date: 4 February 2022 The estimated framework value of PS10,000,000 was a broad estimate only and includes additional quantum for unforeseen demand and to future proof for additional potential users. The estimate is not deemed to be a condition of contract nor a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No bids were received for Lot 5.1 Braille, Lot 5.2 Audio, Lot 5.3 Large Print, Lot 5.4 Easy Read, Lot 5.5 DAISY. This notice relates to the separate contract award notice for Lot 1 Face to Face and Video Interpretation Services as it was awarded at a later date. All bodies listed in Annex B of the specification document may avail of the Framework Agreement for their requirements. There is no guarantee or commitments to the usage, volume, or value of services required under the Framework Agreement or indeed that any subsequent call offs will be made by the agencies under Annex B. NI Public Bodies are not obliged to use the framework. The Framework Agreement is being let by Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) on behalf of Department for. Communities (DfC) and wider Northern Ireland Public sector. A list of potential organisations is included within Annex B of the tender documents. The successful contractor's performance on the contract will be regularly monitored in line with PGN 01/12. Contractors not delivering on contract requirements is a serious matter. It means the public purse is not getting what it is paying for. If a contractor fails to reach satisfactory levels of contract performance they will be given a specified time to improve. If, after the specified time, they still fail to reach satisfactory levels of contract performance, the matter will be escalated to senior management in CPD for further action. If this occurs and their performance still does not improve to satisfactory levels within the specified period, it may be regarded as an act of grave professional misconduct and they may be issued with a Certificate of Unsatisfactory Performance and the contract may be terminated. The issue of a Certificate of Unsatisfactory Performance will result in the contractor being excluded from all procurement competitions being undertaken by Centres of Procurement Expertise on behalf of bodies covered by the Northern Ireland Procurement Policy for a period of twelve months from the date of issue of the certificate.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/02ecc928-058a-4228-b213-57172d88ab3c |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Mar 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Sep 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Mar 2022 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2022 - 31 Jan 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £10,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,500,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT2 7EG |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast South and Mid Down |
| Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FLEX LANGUAGE SERVICES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services

## Release History

- 25 Mar 2022 at 07:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/02ecc928-058a-4228-b213-57172d88ab3c

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/02ecc928-058a-4228-b213-57172d88ab3c
  25th March 2022 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/

## Provenance

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