Official UK procurement notice
Translation and Interpretation Services
Authority: Bolton Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe 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 lotEvery 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 Languageceiling above
See Invitation to Tender for details of the call off process.
Lot #2Written Translationceiling above
See Invitation to Tender.
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 (3)
- Price
- Quality
- Social Value
- 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)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d3aaFind 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
Timeline
24 Jul 2026 → 15 Dec 2026 · 5 dates- Tender notice published90 days ago24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BST
- Clarification questions by66 days ago17 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends59 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown24 Aug 2026, 16:00 BST
- Award decision expected by2 days ago19 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today22 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 54 days15 Dec 2026
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published24 Jul 2026, 16:28 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Link to advert.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender