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Published 24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Translation and Interpretation Services

Official notice

Authority: Bolton Council (Local council)

Open framework scheme2 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£650,000total for 2 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 24 Aug 2026
Lots 2see the lot list below
Framework period 8 yrsends 14 Dec 2034 · starts 15 Dec 2026

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The Borough Council of Bolton ("the Authority") is prepared to receive tenders for their Translation and Interpretation Services Framework.

This Procurement is being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, using the Open Framework Procedure. The Framework period will be up to eight (8) years. It is intended for the contract to commence 15 December 2026, subject to the information, specification and tender package enclosed.

The Authority require providers to provide face to face, video and telephone interpretation along with written translation and British Sign Language (BSL).

Lot 1 - Interpretation including British Sign Language

Lot 2 - Written Translation

The open framework is intended to be a series of linked frameworks which will run for a total of 8 years across the scheme, with two lots and an initial 3 providers across each lot.

A review of the framework will take place towards the end of the first three years when the framework will be reopened, providing for the award of a successive framework on substantially the same terms. The Authority retains the right to reopen the Framework within the first 3 years if deemed necessary.

Each opening requires a competitive process to ensure the most economic providers are awarded a place on the Framework.

As there is a maximum of 3 providers for each Lot, Suppliers who have already been awarded a place on the Framework are required to reapply and may not be included on the successive Framework.

Suppliers are not guaranteed a place on the Framework for its full duration.

CPV: Interpretation services · Translation services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs
call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
Framework period
8 yrs from 15 Dec 2026
Scheme runs until
14 Dec 2034
Published description of the framework

The open framework is intended to be a series of linked frameworks which will run for a total of 8 years across the scheme, with two lots and an initial 3 providers across each lot.

A review of the framework will take place towards the end of the first three years when the framework will be reopened, providing for the award of a successive framework on substantially the same terms. The Authority retains the right to reopen the Framework within the first 3 years if deemed necessary.

Each opening requires a competitive process to ensure the most economic providers are awarded a place on the Framework.

As there is a maximum of 3 providers for each Lot, Suppliers who have already been awarded a place on the Framework are required to reapply and may not be included on the successive Framework.

Suppliers are not guaranteed a place on the Framework for its full duration.

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot

Every one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £650,000: 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 #1Interpretation including British Sign Language 8 yrsSMEVCSEceiling above

See Invitation to Tender for details of the call off process.

Contract period: 15 Dec 2026 – 14 Dec 2034 (8 yrs)
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Lot #2Written Translation 8 yrsSMEVCSEceiling above

See Invitation to Tender.

Contract period: 15 Dec 2026 – 14 Dec 2034 (8 yrs)
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored · same split on all 2 lots
Quality: 35%Price: 45%Social value: 20%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Price
  • Quality
  • Social Value
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 45 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4.5 points. Quality carries 35 of 100: the paper moves it further than the discount.
  • “Translation and Interpretation Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Open framework scheme
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
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST
Last source update
24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 19 Oct 2026
Authority reference
TC003
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-070470
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Interpretation servicesTranslation services
Delivery area
North West (UKD3)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d3aa Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Appointment period ends
24 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
Clarification deadline
17 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

24 Jul 2026 → 15 Dec 2026 · 5 dates
  1. Tender notice published90 days ago
    24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST
  2. Clarification questions by66 days ago
    17 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
  3. Admission / appointment period ends59 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    24 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by2 days ago
    19 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Today
    22 Oct 2026
  6. Contract startsin 54 days
    15 Dec 2026

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Tender notice published
    24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST
    UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PBJZ-9785-JTLD Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton, North West, BL1 1RUContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender