Official UK procurement notice
Framework Agreement for the Provision of Interpreting, Translation and Related Language and Communication Support Services
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNorfolk County Council (NCC), on behalf of and delegated by the INTRAN Partnership, have let a Multi-Provider Framework for the provision of high quality, value-for-money and innovative Interpreting, Translation and Related Language and Communication Support Services in the East of England and surrounding regions.
Norfolk County Council has assigned expert suppliers to the framework, for each lot, who can provide services from interpreters, translators and other language and communication professionals to successfully respond to booking requests made by our member organisations.
INTRAN is a public-facing multi-agency partnership that ensures people who are Deaf, and speakers of other languages or dialects than English with limited or no English proficiency, have equitable access to information and services through the provision of professional interpreting, translation, transcription and other language and communication support services.
Two applicants have been admitted to the Framework under Lots 1,2,3,4 and 5.
- How the procedure runs: Suppliers are invited to submit a Request to Participate (RTP) to join the INTRAN framework agreement. Suppliers that meet the minimum quality threshold of 70 and above at the RTP stage will be ranked, with the top 3 suppliers for Lots 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the top 4 suppliers for Lot 3 being taken through to the next stage, which is the Invitation to Tender stage. The Invitation to Tender stage will include an interview, demonstration and/or test call as relevant to the lot.
CPV: Interpretation services · Translation services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 11 suppliers · 3 bids on the busiest of 5 lots (0.3 per place) · 8 appointed
- Framework period
- 4 yrs from 1 Jul 2026
- Buyer regions
- UKF, UKH, UKJ
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- 5% of call-off value · The percentage does not include travel for lots 1 and 2.
Who may buy through it
The framework agreement is being let by Norfolk County Council as the contracting authority, and can be used by:
- Norfolk County Council and its agents
- Any successor body to the Council including any company formed by the Council to carry out its INTRAN functions
- Any organisation the Council outsources its INTRAN requirements to
- Any public body with which the Council enters into pooling arrangements for the provision of its INTRAN services and organisations they outsource.
- Any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor who may order services on behalf of other local authorities
Other bodies able to use it ( within the East of England and surrounding regions) are:-
NHS Bodies
Local Government Authorities
Housing Associations
Educational Institutions (Local Authority Schools, Academy Trusts)
Voluntary Sector Organisations
Charities
Other organisations serving the Public Interest
Published description of the framework
INTRAN will:-
inform all member organisations with a ranked list of suppliers, with that determined and based on the weighted Quality and Price scores achieved at the Invitation to Tender ("ITT") stage.
Members will be able to directly award in accordance with the tender award outcome, ensuring the first placed provider in each lot is afforded first opportunity to deliver against the specified requirements and delivery preferences. Where the first placed provider is unable to fulfil such requirements, the second placed provider in that lot will be given the opportunity to deliver and so on.
Member organisations will be encouraged to use this ranked system but are able to direct award or conduct a further competition if they so wish.
Direct Award (Catalogue): INTRAN will produce a catalogue which contains each winning providers prices and parts of their bid. Member organisations may use this catalogue to direct award as long as this is in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the Public Contract Regulations 2024.
Further Competition: In addition to the Direct Award procedures described, member organisations will have the right to conduct a Further Competition among all capable Suppliers admitted to the Framework within the relevant Lots. Competition may be initiated for general requirements or specific one-off circumstances and would usually be designed around a supporting of preferential needs or to validate supplier-client suitability.
Cost Criteria is to be determined at further competition with a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 40%
- Above threshold contracts awarded under INTRAN framework ref NCCF43274 · Suffolk County Council · 18 Sept 2026
Notices that name this framework as their framework in the official record. Many call-offs are never published, so this is a floor, not utilisation.
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lotLot #1Face to Face and Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting, Translation and Other Language and Communication Support ServicesAwardedPublished value£1,400,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Form C of the attached Request to Participate contains the financial assessment of providers and does not require audited accounts. Insurances ( public liability, employers liability and cyber insurance unless otherwise covered by public liability) do not require insurance to be in place before contract award but bidders are asked to confirm that if they are successful they will obtain the required insurance.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Management and Operational Structure 17%
Interpreters and Translators Pre-Recruitment/Deployment Checks 17%
Quality Monitoring 17%
Booking Systems 17%
Performance Management 12%
Value for Money Strategy 12%
Management Information 8%
In cases when more than 3 suppliers apply for this lot and reach equal scores, they will all be shortlisted.
Lot #2Face to Face and Remote English/Other Languages and Dialects InterpretingAwardedPublished value£3,600,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Form C of the attached Request to Participate contains the financial assessment of providers and does not require audited accounts. Insurances ( public liability, employers liability and cyber insurance unless otherwise covered by public liability) do not require insurance to be in place before contract award but bidders are asked to confirm that if they are successful they will obtain the required insurance.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Management and Operational Structure 17%
Interpreters and Translators Pre-Recruitment/Deployment Checks 17%
Quality Monitoring 17%
Booking Systems 17%
Performance Management 12%
Value for Money Strategy 12%
Management Information 8%
The top 3 suppliers will be taken through to the next stage which is the Invitation to Tender stage. In cases when more than 3 suppliers apply for this lot, and reach equal scores, they will all be shortlisted.
Lot #3Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand and related goods and servicesAwardedPublished value£3,000,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Form C of the attached Request to Participate contains the financial assessment of providers and does not require audited accounts. Insurances ( public liability, employers liability and cyber insurance unless otherwise covered by public liability) do not require insurance to be in place before contract award but bidders are asked to confirm that if they are successful they will obtain the required insurance.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Management and Operational Structure 17%
Interpreters and Translators Pre-Recruitment/Deployment Checks 17%
Quality Monitoring 17%
Booking Systems 17%
Performance Management 12%
Value for Money Strategy 12%
Management Information 8%
The top 4 suppliers for Lot 3 will be being taken through to the next stage which is the Invitation to Tender stage. In cases when more than 4 suppliers apply for this lot and reach equal scores, they will all be shortlisted.
Lot #4Video Relay Services for BSL usersAwardedPublished value£240,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Form C of the attached Request to Participate contains the financial assessment of providers and does not require audited accounts. Insurances ( public liability, employers liability and cyber insurance unless otherwise covered by public liability) do not require insurance to be in place before contract award but bidders are asked to confirm that if they are successful they will obtain the required insurance.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Management and Operational Structure 17%
Interpreters and Translators Pre-Recruitment/Deployment Checks 17%
Quality Monitoring 17%
Booking Systems 17%
Performance Management 12%
Value for Money Strategy 12%
Management Information 8%
The top 3 suppliers will be taken through to the next stage which is the Invitation to Tender stage. In cases when more than 3 suppliers apply for this lot, and reach equal scores, they will all be shortlisted.
Lot #5Translation Services and Other Communication Support ServicesAwardedPublished value£1,800,000
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Form C of the attached Request to Participate contains the financial assessment of providers and does not require audited accounts. Insurances ( public liability, employers liability and cyber insurance unless otherwise covered by public liability) do not require insurance to be in place before contract award but bidders are asked to confirm that if they are successful they will obtain the required insurance.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Management and Operational Structure 17%
Interpreters and Translators Pre-Recruitment/Deployment Checks 17%
Quality Monitoring 17%
Booking Systems 17%
Performance Management 12%
Value for Money Strategy 12%
Management Information 8%
The top 3 suppliers for Lot 5 will be taken through to the next stage which is the Invitation to Tender stage. In cases when more than 3 suppliers apply for this lot and reach equal scores, they will all be shortlisted.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
- Price carries 30 points on every lot: a 10% discount moves about 3 points.
- “Framework Agreement for the Provision of Interpreting, Translation and…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 11 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use the vehicle
- The framework agreement is being let by Norfolk County Council as the contracting authority, and can be used by: • Norfolk County Council and its agents • Any successor body to the Council including any company formed by the Council to carry out its INTRAN functions • Any organisation the Council outsources its INTRAN requirements to • Any public body with which the Council enters into pooling arrangements for the provision of its INTRAN services and organisations they outsource. • Any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor who may order services on behalf of other local authorities Other bodies able to use it ( within the East of England and surrounding regions) are:- NHS Bodies Local Government Authorities Housing Associations Educational Institutions (Local Authority Schools, Academy Trusts) Voluntary Sector Organisations Charities Other organisations serving the Public Interest
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 24 May 2025, 11:34 BST
- Last source update
- 3 Sept 2026, 10:32 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 9 Mar 2026
- Authority reference
NCCF43274- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-067437- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052592Find a Tender
- How it runs
Suppliers are invited to submit a Request to Participate (RTP) to join the INTRAN framework agreement.
Suppliers that meet the minimum quality threshold of 70 and above at the RTP stage will be ranked, with the top 3 suppliers for Lots 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the top 4 suppliers for Lot 3 being taken through to the next stage, which is the Invitation to Tender stage.
The Invitation to Tender stage will include an interview, demonstration and/or test call as relevant to the lot.
- Risks
Please note that both Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in May 2026.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 18 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Appointment period ends
- 18 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · 5% of call-off value · The percentage does not include travel for lots 1 and 2.
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council's eProcurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗.
Clarifications must be raised through the in-tend platform, and responses to clarification questions will be published on the in-tend platform. Clarifications will not be answered by email.
Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Regis… ↗ and in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Help ↗. You will be able to see the procurement project under the 'Tenders' section and when registered and logged in will be able to 'Express an Interest' to view the associated documentation. In order to view clarifications, you must be logged in.
If you have any problems using the system you can find information under the 'Help' section of the website at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Help ↗.
If you have any technical problems with accessing in-tend, you can contact the InTend support team by phoning +44 (0) 114 407 0065 or emailing [email protected].
Timeline
24 May 2025 → 3 Sept 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published24 May 2025, 11:34 BST
- Next notice expected380 days ago1 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published359 days ago22 Oct 2025, 12:17 BST
- Clarification questions by340 days ago10 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends332 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown18 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by220 days ago9 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent156 days ago14 May 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends143 days ago26 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts108 days ago1 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published43 days ago3 Sept 2026, 10:32 BST
Notice history
12 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 May 2025- Pipeline notice published24 May 2025, 11:34 BSTUK1
- Tender notice published22 Oct 2025, 12:17 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £10,000,00022 Oct 2025, 12:17 BSTwas £2,100,000
- Status changed to active22 Oct 2025, 12:17 BST
- Procurement method changed22 Oct 2025, 12:17 BST
- Tender notice published22 Oct 2025, 12:30 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £10,040,00022 Oct 2025, 12:30 BSTwas £10,000,000
- Tender notice published22 Oct 2025, 14:07 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published14 May 2026, 18:22 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete14 May 2026, 18:22 BST
- Contract signature expected27 May 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published3 Sept 2026, 10:32 BSTUK7
Published amendments (2)
Edited to include lot values
Maximum number of suppliers amended
Routine re-releases (6)
- 2025-10: 2 releases · 22 Oct 2025, 22 Oct 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 24 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecastContracts
Face to Face and Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting, Translation and Other Language and Communication Support Services · Clarion Interpreting LimitedSME, Topp Language Solutions LtdSME
- Signed
- 13 Aug 2026
- Value
- £1,600,000
- Period
- 13 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
Face to Face and Remote English/Other Languages and Dialects Interpreting · AA Global Language Services LimitedSME, DCVS Trading Ltd (t/a Herts Interpreting & Translation Service)SMEVCSE
- Signed
- 13 Aug 2026
- Value
- £4,500,000
- Period
- 13 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand and related goods and services. · Clarion Interpreting LimitedSME, Language Line Limited T/A Language Line Solutions
- Signed
- 13 Aug 2026
- Value
- £3,500,000
- Period
- 13 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
Video Relay Services for BSL users · SIGN SOLUTIONS (SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AGENCY) LTDSME, SIGNIFICAN'T (UK) LIMITEDSME
- Signed
- 13 Aug 2026
- Value
- £200,000
- Period
- 13 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
Translation Services and Other Communication Support Services · Language Line Limited T/A Language Line Solutions, Translate Plus LimitedSME
- Signed
- 13 Aug 2026
- Value
- £2,500,000
- Period
- 13 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2030
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Face to Face and Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting, Translation and Other Language and Communication Support Services | 3final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Face to Face and Remote English/Other Languages and Dialects Interpreting | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 1 | — |
| 3 · Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand and related goods and services | 2final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Video Relay Services for BSL users | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Translation Services and Other Communication Support Services | 3final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonDCVS TRADING LTDSMEVCSE · East of England · 2
- wonAA GLOBAL LANGUAGE SERVICES LIMITEDSME · Yorkshire and the Humber · 2
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
8 commercial parties on the notice- AA GLOBAL LANGUAGE SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CLARION INTERPRETING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- DCVS TRADING LTDFramework contractor
- LANGUAGE LINE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- SIGN SOLUTIONS (SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AGENCY) LTDFramework contractor
- SIGNIFICAN'T (UK) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- TOPP LANGUAGE SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- TRANSLATE PLUS LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (24)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Call-Off terms and conditions
- Signed contract
- Bidding documents and specifications Specification
- Signed contract
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
Show 2 more documents
- Bidding documents and specifications Framework terms and conditions
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Clarification responses will be issued via in-tend https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 6 more notices
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender