---
title: "Language Services Lot 1: Primary Spoken Interpreting"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE"
published: "2026-02-13"
---

# Language Services Lot 1: Primary Spoken Interpreting

Buyer: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab

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## Summary

The Ministry of Justice has successfully awarded a contract for language services centred around primary spoken interpreting, with a contract value of £208,700,000. This extensive undertaking covers face-to-face, telephone, and video interpreting services across various regions in the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The process followed an open procurement method, concluding at the award stage on 17th December 2025, with the formal notice published on 16th January 2026. The contracted period extends from 5th October 2026 to 4th October 2030, with potential extensions up to 2033. Located in London, the Ministry of Justice serves as the buyer, engaging thebigword Group Holdings Limited based in Leeds as the supplier under this contract.

This contract presents a substantial growth opportunity for large-scale businesses specialising in interpretation services. Given the vast regional coverage and service categories, companies with expertise in multilingual and cross-cultural communication could leverage this contract to expand their reach and influence across the UK. The open procurement method aligns with broader inclusion, allowing businesses with robust capabilities and infrastructure in interpreting services to position themselves competitively in future procurement opportunities within the interpretation industry. While the contract does not specifically target SMEs or VCSEs, it opens a significant avenue for larger enterprises looking to diversify and strengthen their presence in public service sectors.

## Notice

The provision of spoken language interpreting including face to face, telephone and video interpreting services. The interpreter in all cases must convert the spoken language from one language to another enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other. Additional information: This contract has 3 years optional extensions with a final end date of 2033.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cc82d2cf-2db7-4ba1-bb83-f2527d0a23de |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 28 Nov 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 4 Oct 2026 - 4 Oct 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £208,700,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £208,700,000 |
| 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 | MINISTRY OF JUSTICE |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1H 9AJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland, TLN Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THEBIGWORD GROUP HOLDINGS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79540000 - Interpretation services

## Release History

- 13 Feb 2026 at 16:07 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cc82d2cf-2db7-4ba1-bb83-f2527d0a23de
- 16 Jan 2026 at 16:10 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cc82d2cf-2db7-4ba1-bb83-f2527d0a23de

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cc82d2cf-2db7-4ba1-bb83-f2527d0a23de
  13th February 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/10d593fa-b86f-4230-8497-aa4f7113a5d4
  n/a

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ea7b158e-c4d2-4cb3-b7d7-546f709394ab.json.