Framework Agreement for the Provision of Interpreting, Translation and Related Language and Communication Support Services
A Tender Notice
by NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Framework (Services)
- Duration
- 4 year
- Value
- £-£10M
- Sector
- BUSINESS
- Published
- 22 Oct 2025
- Delivery
- 01 Jul 2026 to 30 Jun 2030
- Deadline
- n/a
Concepts
Location
East Midlands England:
1 buyer
- Norfolk County Council Norwich
Description
Norfolk County Council (NCC), on behalf of and delegated by the INTRAN Partnership, wish to 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 wishes to assign 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. There will be a maximum of two applicants admitted to the Framework under Lots 1,2,4 and 5 and a maximum of three applicants for Lot 3. 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. One of these changes could happen without the other. 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.
Lot Division
| 1 | Face to Face and Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting, Translation and Other Language and Communication Support Services Lot 1: Face to Face and Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting, Translation and Other Language and Communication Support Services This lot will support people who are deaf, deafened and deafblind, and will be delivered by Deaf expert providers under the following service criteria: • Face-to-Face, Video Remote English/British Sign Language Interpreting Services and other Language and Communication Support Services. • Face-to-Face priority must be given to locally based interpreters, with Video delivered through client specific platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Attend Anywhere, etc., or, with client agreement, via supplier dedicated booking portal. Award Criteria
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| 2 | Face to Face and Remote English/Other Languages and Dialects Interpreting Lot 2: Face to Face and Remote English/Other Languages and Dialects Interpreting This lot will support people whose first language is not English and use a spoken language other than English to communicate, and will be delivered by Face-to-Face Interpreting expert providers under the following service criteria: • Face-to-Face (in person), Video Remote English/Other Languages/Dialects Interpreting Services. • Face-to-Face priority must be given to locally based interpreters, with Video delivered through client specific platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Attend Anywhere, etc., or, with client agreement, via supplier dedicated booking portal. Award Criteria
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| 3 | Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand and related goods and services Lot 3: Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand and related goods and services. This lot will support people whose first language is not English and use a language other than English to communicate, including BSL, and will be delivered by expert providers under the following service criteria: • Telephone, audio and video Interpreting services (English/BSL/Other languages and Dialects than English) on demand. Languages that are rare and harder to source may be available to book on appointment. Related goods and services provided will include: • Access to high quality rolling stands as well as tabletop stands to support video interpreting services to be used by high-usage organisations and departments. Around 100 devices may be required at the start of the contract, and demand is likely to grow over time. • Administration of INTRAN ID codes and generation of new budget accounts and new codes. Video Relay Interpreting (VRS) may be offered as an additional service but is not mandatory. Award Criteria
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| 4 | Video Relay Services for BSL users Lot 4: Video Relay Services for BSL users This lot will support users of British Sign Language and be delivered by Deaf expert providers, under the following service criteria: o Video Relay BSL Interpreting Services (VRS), enabling Deaf people to make a call to an INTRAN member organisation registered to offer these services, supported by an on-demand video BSL interpreter. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) may be offered as an additional service but is not mandatory. Award Criteria
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| 5 | Translation Services and Other Communication Support Services This lot will support INTRAN member organisations (the Buyers) and the communities and people they serve, accessing non-visual translation and communication support services, as follows: o Translation including Human Translation, Machine Translation Post-Editing and Machine Translation. Services provided will be delivered to respond to member organisations' needs, whether through the sole use of human experts and/or of reliable AI solutions with or without human translator oversight, as required by the member organisation (the Buyer). Reliance on human translators remains critical to INTRAN member organisations, to ensure accuracy, completeness and safety. INTRAN members will have their own policies and risk assessments in place with regards to AI translation acceptance and utilisation. o Other related communication support services. Award Criteria
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CPV Codes
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Other Information
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-052592
- FTS 067437-2025