Scope
Reference
W192454
Description
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (the "Contracting Authority"), acting through its wholly owned subsidiary King's Facilities Management (KFM), invites suitably qualified and experienced providers to participate in a Competitive Flexible Procedure for the Provision of Interpretation and Translation Services across all King's sites, including King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill), Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, Beckenham Beacon, Queen Mary's Sidcup, and associated community locations.
The Trust serves a highly diverse population, representing over 120 languages, and seeks to procure a comprehensive, responsive, and technology-enabled language support service to ensure equitable access to healthcare. The service will include:
Face-to-face, telephone, video, and AI-assisted interpretation (including British Sign Language and non-spoken communication support).
Translation services for clinical and non-clinical documents in multiple formats, with appropriate human verification of AI-assisted outputs.
Real-time digital booking and reporting systems, capable of integration with NHS systems and compliant with NHS Information Governance and the Data Security and Protection Toolkit.
Performance monitoring against defined KPIs, including minimum 95-98% fill rates, rapid response to urgent requests, and at least 90% patient satisfaction.
The service aims to deliver cost-effective, high-quality, and inclusive communication support aligned with the Trust's equality, diversity, and digital transformation objectives. Providers will be expected to demonstrate innovation, use of AI and automation responsibly, and capacity to deliver across a multi-site NHS environment.
This opportunity will follow a multi-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Stage 1 and 2 will involve assessment of Supplier Information Questionnaires (SIQs) and tender submission. Upon evaluation, shortlisted suppliers will be invited to demonstration, negotiation and BAFO - Stage 3.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,200,000 excluding VAT
- £1,440,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 August 2026 to 2 August 2028
- Possible extension to 2 August 2029
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
1 year optional extension
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Extendable by 1 year
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
- 79530000 - Translation services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- UKI45 - Lambeth
- UKI - London
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
6 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 April 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 2 July 2029
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical and Social Value | Technical and Social Value - 70% |
Quality | 70.00% |
| Commercial | Pricing - 30% |
Price | 30.00% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This opportunity will follow a multi-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Stage 1 and 2 will involve assessment of Supplier Information Questionnaires (SIQs) and tender submission. Upon evaluation, shortlisted suppliers will be invited to demonstration, negotiation and BAFO.
Contracting authority
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXLV-9225-PRBN
KCH Business Park, 129 Coldharbour Lane
London
SE5 9NY
United Kingdom
Contact name: David Kayondo
Telephone: 0204 566 8234
Email: david.kayondo@nhs.net
Website: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
KCH Interventional Facilities Management LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: Overseeing and delivering end-to-end procurement services on behalf of the Trust. In this capacity, KFM's primary role is to ensure that all procurement activities are conducted in a compliant, transparent, and commercially effective manner, aligned with both NHS procurement regulations and the Trust's strategic objectives.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDWQ-2826-VTWP
Unit 1, KCH Business Park, 129 Coldharbour Lane
London
SE5 9NY
United Kingdom
Contact name: Sunday Okhria
Telephone: 02045340573
Email: s.okhiria1@nhs.net
Website: https://www.kings-fm.co.uk/
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth