Official UK procurement notice
Translation and Support Services
Authority: Development Bank of Wales (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionFollowing on from the Publication of a UK 5 and UK 6 notice the Development Bank of Wales has entered into a contract with suppliers for translation and support services.
The Development Bank of Wales (DBW) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Welsh Government. We therefore have a duty to comply with the Welsh language standards, meaning that Welsh is treated no less favourably than English. All of our English language content requires translation. Services include:
Translation: The conversion of written documents into another language as text via human, computer assisted and machine translation solutions. Support Services: Additional services which include documentation formatting and file recreation. The Suppliers shall provide comprehensive Translation and Support services to enable DBW to translate and create supporting materials in Welsh. The Suppliers shall be able to facilitate a broad spectrum of requirements, for each the Suppliers shall utilise experienced individuals who can apply their skills appropriately to the specific requirements of DBW. This will include, but not be limited to: Advisory and instruction documents Correspondence, information leaflets Press releases and briefing documents Corporate publications including our annual report, documents and briefing papers Marketing collateral, subtitles and captions Technical, scientific, legal, financial or any other specialist category ProofreadingThe Suppliers shall ensure that all Visual Translations and Transcriptions shall be completed by accredited Individuals. The Suppliers must fulfil 98% of all translation within the accepted turnaround target set by the buyer. The Suppliers is permitted to use Machine Translation (MT) with the explicit permission from DBW. The Suppliers must ensure that these services are only utilised when clear efficiencies and cost savings can be demonstrated, or at the express request of DBW. Consideration should include:
Type of Content Language Pairing Buyer's accuracy requirements Volume of content Turnaround Times Any use of a technological solution shall be implemented securely, ensuring that all software complies with the security standards, Data Security. The Suppliers must also ensure that all data is maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Act 2016.The Suppliers agrees to retain any template documents, Translation Memories, or Language Databases and will not charge for duplicate translations during the contract period. The template/Translation Memory will remain the property of the DBW and will be returned at the conclusion of the contract. Any documents and/or data stored within the Supplier's database related to the Services provided will remain the property of DBW. The service may be required at any location within Wales, including instances where Translation must be conducted at DBWs premises for security reasons. In such cases, travel costs will be reimbursed according to DBWs travel policy. The supplier shall ensure that it has a robust quality management process for all translation projects. This process must include checks to ensure that all translations are accurate and consistent with the original source material, and where necessary corrections of any errors in the translated content, such as spelling or grammar errors, formatting, punctuation, or syntax should be made at no additional cost. The Suppliers shall also ensure it has sufficient resources and capabilities to provide proofing services. This service shall be undertaken by an independent, but equally qualified translator, to undertake a final check for any errors to ensure the highest level of quality and accuracy. The Suppliers must ensure that all translators translate only into their native language. In cases where this is not possible, translations must be thoroughly revised by a native English speaker with the necessary subject matter expertise, at no additional cost to DBW. This process ensures the quality and accuracy of the translated content. The Suppliers should have dedicated project management personnel who will provide oversight of DBWs translation project(s), provide updates on the project(s) and serve as a conduit for answering any queries or requests from DBW.
Translation:
The range of Translator qualifications for this service include, but are not limited to, the below.
The Suppliers must be able to provide all of the below upon request within the pricing submitted.
Honours degree in the relevant language and/or a degree in Communications or Translation.
Membership and/or professional training with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru / Society of Welsh Translators. Mandatory Service Requirements. The Suppliers must deliver an end-to-end service with a seamless process for the end user, utilising its own Individuals, contracted Individuals, and, if necessary, Sub Contractors. The Suppliers Subcontractors value and saving benefits into the service delivery for Buyers and more efficient and innovative ways of working must be shared with the Buyer, with any added value or savings passed onto the Buyer. The Suppliers must maintain a strong focus on continuous improvement by regularly seeking feedback on their service and using this feedback to develop strategies that drive and improve future service delivery. The Suppliers may explore the use of robotic process automation or artificial intelligence (AI) in delivering Services to the Buyer on a case-by-case basis, where it demonstrates additional benefits. If considering any AI solution, the Suppliers must align with the following, including other relevant or updated guidance for the Public Sector throughout the duration of this agreement or Call Off:
Data Ethics Framework Understanding Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Safety Generative AI Framework for HMG Code of conduct:
As an integral aspect of Framework delivery, Suppliers are required to establish a Code of Conduct that all Individuals engaged in the provision of Services under the Framework must agree to and comply with. Individuals registered with a Regulatory Organization may alternatively adhere to the respective Code of Conduct of that organisation. The Code of Conduct mandates that Individuals:
Maintain strict confidentiality, refraining from seeking personal gain through information disclosed during their work.
Accept assignments only within their competency, ensuring delivery to the standard required by the Buyer.
Refrain from Individuals assigned by the Supplier to complete an assignment from passing on or subcontracting assignments to other Individuals, regardless of their ability to fulfil the requirements.
Act impartially and professionally in all actions related to the provision of Language Services under this Framework Contract.
Avoid discrimination for or against parties based on grounds such as race, colour, ethnic origin, age, nationality, religion, sex, sexuality, disability, or political allegiance.
Disclose any information, including criminal records, that may render them unsuitable for a particular case.
Immediately disclose any conflict of interest arising from the end user being known to the Individual, allowing the Buyer to determine whether to proceed with the booking.
Disclose any business, financial, family, or other interest, personal or otherwise, relevant to the matter at hand.
Reject payment for information about the Authority/Buyer or details of the Buyer's assignments or information shared as part of the assignment.
Avoid engaging in behaviour likely to discredit the Authority/Buyer, including impairment through drugs or alcohol, sexual misconduct, violence, intimidation, or abusive behaviour. Report any areas of concern, poor practice, or potential safeguarding issues to the Supplier, who will bring these to the attention of DBW.
Adhere to the Ethical Standards of their Professional Bodies, where membership is held.
The Suppliers are required to implement a process for the annual renewal of agreement to the Code of Conduct. Additionally, a fair and transparent procedure must be in place for Individuals accused of breaching the Supplier's Code of Conduct, including:
A fair and transparent investigation.
A proportional outcome in case of a confirmed breach.
If necessary, the removal of the individual from being utilised within the Framework In the event of a breach involving an Individual who is a member of a Regulatory Body, the Supplier shall collaborate with the Body to achieve a resolution. Compliance In the event that an Individual's quality, ability, or integrity is compromised, DBW retain the right to instruct the Supplier to cease deploying that individual on any Call-Off Contract under the Framework. Decisions in each case will be made on a case-by-case basis and supported with appropriate evidence. The Supplier will not charge for any cancellations of Translation, Transcription or Support Services unless evidence can be provided that the assignment has already been started. If this can be evidenced by the Supplier then they can charge the full value of the assignment
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 24 Sept 2031, 23:59 BST.
CPV: 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 2 suppliers · 7 bids received (3.5 per place) · 3 appointed (full)
- Framework period
- 2 yrs · up to 6 yrs from 1 Dec 2025, Bespoke services for financial sector - limited market
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- NA
Who may buy through it
Na
Published description of the framework
Commercial sheet to be completed list of services identified
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£180,000
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to tender documentation
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to tender documentation
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 sub-criteria (2)
- Technical: 60%
- Commercial: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical: Please refer to tender documentation
- Commercial
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to tender documentation
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to tender documentation
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Translation and Support Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 2 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
- Open 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 this agreement
- Na
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 24 Sept 2031
- First published
- 24 Sept 2025, 15:10 BST
- Last source update
- 15 Apr 2026, 14:08 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 24 Nov 2025
- Authority reference
DBW00189.00- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-060663- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a142Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
30 days from invoice
- Risks
NA
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 20 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · NA
Timeline
24 Sept 2025 → 15 Apr 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published394 days ago24 Sept 2025, 15:10 BST
- Next notice expected392 days ago25 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published388 days ago29 Sept 2025, 16:37 BST
- Clarification questions by368 days ago20 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends347 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown10 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by332 days ago24 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts326 days ago1 Dec 2025
- Assessment summaries sent288 days ago8 Jan 2026
- Standstill ends267 days ago28 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Latest notice published191 days ago15 Apr 2026, 14:08 BST
Notice history
8 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Sept 2025- Planned procurement notice published24 Sept 2025, 15:10 BSTUK3
- Tender notice published29 Sept 2025, 16:37 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active29 Sept 2025, 16:37 BST
- Deadline moved to 10 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT29 Sept 2025, 16:37 BST+4 days · was 6 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Contract award notice published19 Jan 2026, 12:09 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete19 Jan 2026, 12:09 GMT
- Contract signature expected30 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published15 Apr 2026, 14:08 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-09: 1 release · 24 Sept 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atebol, Bla Translation Ltd, Catrin Williams Translation Service2 Feb 2026 – 26 Jan 2028 · up to 26 Jan 2032Extensions: 4 years in 12-month increments | £240,000 | 15 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
Translation and Support services · Atebol, Bla Translation Ltd, Catrin Williams Translation Service
- Signed
- 13 Jan 2026
- Value
- £240,000
- Period
- 2 Feb 2026 – 26 Jan 2028 · up to 26 Jan 2032 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 4 year extension in 12 month increments
No agreed KPIs: NA
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7final-stage tenders | 7 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
3 commercial parties on the notice- AtebolFramework contractor
- Bla Translation LtdFramework contractor
- Catrin Williams Translation ServiceFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Technical specifications Please refer to tender documentation
- Bidding documents and specifications All documentation can be found within the esourcing platform
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender