Official UK procurement notice
Language Services · UK public procurement notice
Authority: The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service (Central government)·Consortium: 3 public authorities
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Crown Commercial Service (the Authority) has established a comprehensive Framework Contract for Language Services, encompassing the following key components:
Translation Services
Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services
Telephone Interpreting
Spoken and Visual Video Interpreting Services
Spoken and Visual Face-to-Face Interpreting Services
The Framework Contract was structured into 5 Lots, with Lot 5 requiring overseas requirements to be met.
CPV: Foreign language translation software development services · Foreign language translation software package · Graphic design services · Interpretation services · Justice services · Music or sound editing software package · Proofreading services · Public-telephone services · Sound recordings · Telephone-answering services · Translation services · Typesetting services · +3 more
How this framework works
From the published notice- Bids received
- 37 bids received · 1 suppliers appointed
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £7,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1National Managed ServiceAwardedRenewalPublished value£101,000,000
This lot encompasses the provision of a comprehensive Managed Service across the United Kingdom.
Suppliers selected for Lot 1 must deliver a flexible solution, allowing the Buyer to call off one, some, or all services. The services, provided by Suppliers awarded to Lot 1, should cover advisory services, administrative support, and efficient business processes, tailored to meet the diverse language service requirements of the Buyer.
Spoken and Visual Translation, Transcription, Stenography, Recording and Support Services Spoken Telephone and Spoken and Visual Video Interpreting
Spoken and Visual Face to Face Interpreting Additional information: Lot 1 – National Managed Service = 21 places
Lot #2Translation and Supporting ServicesCancelledRenewalceiling above
The provision of Translation and Support Services throughout the United Kingdom.
Translation: The conversion of written documents into another language as text.
Support Services: Additional services which include documentation formatting and file recreation.
Please note that this Lot would not support any visual or tactile requirements such as Braille or In-vision BSL, refer to Lot 4 for these services. Additional information: Lot 2 – Translation and Supporting Services = 22 places
Lot #3Transcription, Stenography and Recording ServicesCancelledRenewalceiling above
This lot entails the provision of Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services throughout the United Kingdom.
These included:
Transcription Services: The conversion of recorded speech into a written format, delivered remotely or onsite.
Recording Services: In person or remote recording and logging servicing.
Stenography Services: The provision of Stenographers to take dictation
using either shorthand notation or a stenotype machine, then later
transcribe their notes into formal documents/records either remotely or
onsite Additional information: Lot 3 – Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 14 places
Lot #4Visual Interpreting ServicesCancelledRenewalPublished value£10,000,000
This Lot facilitated communication for the Deaf, Deafblind,
and others requiring support through the following services:
Interpreting Services: The provision of face to face and remote (VRS/VRI) interpreting services.
Translation Services: The provision of visual translation services, including BSL invision, braille and other visual/tactile translation services.
Transcription Services: The provision of subtitling and or captioning services. Additional information: Lot 4 – Visual Interpreting Services = 12 places
Lot #5Overseas and UK Interpreting ServicesCancelledRenewalPublished value£125,000,000
This Lot facilitated the provision of Spoken Face to Face Interpreting Services throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
Suppliers awarded to this Lot are expected to deliver tailored solutions covering advisory services, administrative support, and efficient business processes to ensure effective delivery of services within the UK and Overseas. Additional information: Lot 5 – Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 11 places
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 70
- Price: 30
- Suitability
Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an invitation to tender (ITT) registering for access.
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Language Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 10 Oct 2023, 15:59 BST
- Last source update
- 27 May 2025, 15:21 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 20 Sept 2024 – …
- Authority reference
RM6302- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-027809- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-040aceFind a Tender
Publisher note: The value provided in Section II.1.7 is only an estimate. We cannot guarantee to suppliers any business through this Commercial Agreement. As part of this contract award notice the following can be accessed at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e5ec2a2d-5b62-4a01-8ce7-49c3e58d5a93 1) Redacted Commercial Agreement 2) List of Successful Suppliers 3) Approved Customer list 4) Transparency Agenda On 02/04/2014, Government introduced its Government Security Classifications (GSC) scheme which replaced Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS). A key aspect is the reduction in the number of security classifications used. All bidders were required to make themselves aware of the changes as it may impact this requirement. This link provides information on the GSC at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications Cyber Essentials is a mandatory requirement for Central Government contracts which involve handling personal information or provide certain ICT products/services. Government is taking steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in its supply chain through the Cyber Essentials scheme. The scheme defines a set of controls which, when implemented, will provide organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet. To participate in this procurement, bidders were required to demonstrate they comply with the technical requirements prescribed by Cyber Essentials, for services under and in connection with this procurement.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 27 Sept 2024, 15:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission","written"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 20 Sept 2024, 15:01 BST
Timeline
11 Jul 2024 → 27 May 2025 · 5 dates- Next notice expected11 Jul 2024, 00:00 BST
- Bids opened20 Sept 2024, 15:01 BST
- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown27 Sept 2024, 15:00 BST
- Bids must remain valid until8 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
- Notice published27 May 2025, 15:21 BST
Notice history
8 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Aug 2024- Status changed to active21 Aug 2024, 14:11 BST
- Procurement method changed21 Aug 2024, 14:11 BST
- Deadline published: 20 Sept 2024, 15:00 BST21 Aug 2024, 14:11 BST
- Buyer details updated21 Aug 2024, 14:11 BST
- Deadline moved to 27 Sept 2024, 15:00 BST19 Sept 2024, 13:08 BST+7 days · was 20 Sept 2024, 15:00 BST
- Buyer details updated19 Sept 2024, 13:08 BST
- Buyer details updated6 May 2025, 11:43 BST
- Status changed to complete27 May 2025, 15:21 BST
Published amendments (2 · 0 deadline changes)
| When | What | Before | After | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Dateiv.2.2 | 20 Sept 2024 | 27 Sept 2024 | +7 d |
| — | Dateiv.2.7 | 20 Sept 2024 | 27 Sept 2024 | +7 d |
| — | TextAdditional information · II.2.14 | Lot 1 – National Managed Service = 8 places | Lot 1 – National Managed Service = 21 places | |
| — | TextAdditional information · II.2.14 | Lot 2 – Translation and Supporting Services = 6 places | Lot 2 – Translation and Supporting Services = 22 places | |
| — | TextAdditional information · II.2.14 | Lot 3 – Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 9 places | Lot 3 – Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 14 places | |
| — | TextAdditional information · II.2.14 | Lot 4 – Visual Interpreting Services = 6 places | Lot 4 – Visual Interpreting Services = 12 places | |
| — | TextAdditional information · II.2.14 | Lot 5 – Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 5 places | Lot 5 – Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 11 places | |
| — | TextInformation about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system · IV.1.3 | The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement: Framework agreement with several operators Lot 1 – National Managed Service = 8 places Lot 2 – Translation and Supporting Services = 6 places Lot 3 - Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 9 places Lot 4 - Visual Interpreting Services = 6 places Lot 5 - Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 5 places | The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement: Framework agreement with several operators Lot 1 – National Managed Service = 21 places Lot 2 – Translation and Supporting Services = 22 places Lot 3 – Transcription, Stenography and Recording Services = 14 places Lot 4 – Visual Interpreting Services = 12 places Lot 5 – Overseas and UK Interpreting Services = 11 places |
The procurement documents referenced at I.3 have been amended in accordance with this change and uploaded to the Contracts Finder Notice for this procurement: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b5fc164308414b23ba1723a668fed241_gl=1*1ljcgoc*_ga*NTM0MDU2NjA2LjE3MTkyMjMxNzE.*_ga_SK4BZ95L7T*MTc0NTQ5MzU0NS4zMDcuMS4xNzQ1NDkzNTY3LjAuMC4w
1 amendment published without a description.
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2024-08: 1 release · 21 Aug 2024
- 2023-10: 1 release · 10 Oct 2023
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast1 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
Contract 027809-2025-1
- Signed
- 7 May 2025
- Value
- £250,000,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · National Managed Service | 37bids · 37 electronic | 32 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Crown Commercial ServiceContracting authorityCentral purchasing bodyMinistry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisionsPublic Procurement
Framework contractors & participating bidders
1 commercial party on the notice- See Contracts Finder Notice for full supplier listFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria