Scope
Description
East Sussex County Council has let this Translation and Interpreting Services Framework on behalf of the following organisations:
East Sussex County Council
Surrey County Council
Brighton & Hove City Council
West Sussex County Council
All District and Borough Councils and Maintained Schools covered by the International Territorial Level TLJ2 All Health Authorities
National Health Service Trusts
Integrated Care Boards, social care organisations,
and any other person(s) or body established or financed under the National Health Service Act 1977 as amended and future bodies (e.g. Foundation Trusts) associated with the delivery of healthcare, within East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex
Sussex Police Authority
Surrey Police Authority
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
South East Coast Ambulance Service
Voluntary and Community Organisations (including 3rd Sector Organisations) and Housing Associations with a presence in East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex.
The Framework will commence on 1st January 2026 for a term of 4 years.
This is a multi-supplier and multi Lot Framework.
The Lot structure is:
• Lot 1. Spoken Language - remote (telephone/video) and face-to-face.
• Lot 2. Face-to-Face and Video Interpreting Services for Non-spoken Languages (eg: BSL)
• Lot 3. Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
The Framework values are shared across all three Lots, with no guarantee of value or volume of Framework Call-Offs.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Lot 1. Face to face and Telephone/Video Interpreting Services for Spoken Language
Description
Spoken Face-to-Face and Telephone or Video Interpreting Services for Spoken Language
As described in the Stage 2 procurement documents.
Lot 2. Face-to-Face and Video Interpreting Services for Non-spoken Languages (eg: BSL)
Description
Face-to-Face and Video Interpreting Services for Non-spoken Languages (eg: BSL)
As detailed in the Stage 2 procurement documents.
Lot 3. Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
Description
Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
As described in the Stage 2 procurement documents
Framework
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
For Shortlisted Bidders that are successfully appointed to the Framework, if the total annual spend from all Participating Authorities is £5,000 or more (excluding VAT), those Shortlisted Bidders will be required to pay a Framework Fee (calculated as 2% of the total annual spend) to the Council to support and facilitate the administration of the Framework. The Framework Fee will be collected annually in arrears.
Framework operation description
CALL-OFF ORDER PROCEDURE
If a Participating Authority decides to source the Services through the Framework then it may do so without re-opening competition by following the procedure set out below.
Any Other Participating Authority shall be entitled to issue an Order for Services and enter into a Call-off Contract with the Service Provider following completion of an Access Agreement with the Council.
Identifying a Framework Provider for a Call-off Contract
Any Participating Authority calling off Services under this Framework Agreement shall:
Identify the relevant Lot that its Service Requirements fall into;
Send an Order to the Top Ranked Provider;
If the Top Ranked Provider is not able to provide the Services (either within the required timescales or at all), send an Order to the Framework Provider ranked next highest (as set out in the framework agreement (Framework Rankings));
repeat the process set out above until the Order is fulfilled or there are no further Framework Providers qualified to fulfil it.
The Framework Prices are fixed for the duration of the Framework Term and shall not be subject to indexation.
Any request by the Service Provider for an increase to the Framework Prices will be rejected unless exceptional evidence can be advanced by the Service Provider, which the Council may review at its sole discretion. Any increase to the Framework Prices agreed by the Council in accordance with this clause must be formalised in accordance with the Framework Agreement Variation Procedure. For the avoidance of doubt, it shall be open to the Council to agree an increase to the Framework Prices applicable to a specific Lot and the Council shall be under no obligation to apply an equivalent uplift to any or all other Lots.
The prices are detailed in Rate cards included within the framework agreement.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
SCC, WSCC, BH&CC , All D&BC's in the regions covered by the International Territorial Level (ITL) TLJ2
Maintained Schools in the regions covered by ITL TLJ2; All Health Authorities, National Health Service Trusts, Integrated Care Boards, social care organisations, CCG's and any other person(s) or body established or financed under the National Health Service Act 1977 as amended and future bodies associated with the delivery of healthcare, within East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex;
Sussex Police Authority Surrey Police Authority
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
Ambulance Services SECAMB
Voluntary and Community Organisations (including Third Sector Organisations) with a presence in East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex
Housing Associations with a presence in East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. Any combined mayoral authority or strategic authority
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- UKJ4 - Kent
Contract 1. Lot 1 - Face-to-face and -Telephone/Video Interpreting Services for Spoken Language
Lots
Lot 1. Face to face and Telephone/Video Interpreting Services for Spoken Language
Suppliers (5)
- AA GLOBAL LANGUAGE SERVICES LIMITED
- ABSOLUTE INTERPRETING & TRANSLATIONS LIMITED
- LANGUAGE EMPIRE LIMITED
- THEBIGWORD INTERPRETING SERVICES LIMITED
- VANDU LANGUAGES
Contract value
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
1 January 2026
Contract dates
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- UKJ4 - Kent
Contract 2. Lot 2 Face to Face and Video Interpreting Services for Nonspoken Languages (eg: BSL)
Lots
Lot 2. Face-to-Face and Video Interpreting Services for Non-spoken Languages (eg: BSL)
Suppliers (5)
- ACTION DEAFNESS
- SIGN SOLUTIONS (SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AGENCY) LTD
- SUPREME LINGUISTIC SERVICES LTD
- THE ROYAL ASSOCIATION FOR DEAF PEOPLE
- THEBIGWORD INTERPRETING SERVICES LIMITED
Contract value
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
1 January 2026
Contract dates
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- UKJ4 - Kent
Contract 3. Lot 3 - Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
Lots
Lot 3. Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
Suppliers (3)
Contract value
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
1 January 2026
Contract dates
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- UKJ4 - Kent
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Suppliers
AA GLOBAL LANGUAGE SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 04299764
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJWQ-9858-LVCP
Francis House
Hull
HU1 1UD
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@aaglobal.co.uk
Website: https://www.aaglobal.co.uk/
Region: UKE11 - Kingston upon Hull, City of
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
ABSOLUTE INTERPRETING & TRANSLATIONS LIMITED
- Companies House: 06044167
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQRB-3464-VZYN
34-35 Ludgate Hill
Birmingham
B3 1EH
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
ACTION DEAFNESS
- Companies House: 06706042
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTBZ-5663-ZVYN
The Peepul Centre
Leicester
LE4 6DP
United Kingdom
Email: Contracts@actiondeafness.org.uk
Website: http://www.actiondeafness.org.uk
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2
D A LANGUAGES LIMITED
- Companies House: 06207784
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHLH-7424-WMWT
Suite 4a Statham House Talbot Road
Manchester
M32 0FP
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@dals.co.uk
Website: https://dals.co.uk/
Region: UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 3
LANGUAGE EMPIRE LIMITED
- Companies House: 05535464
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTGB-8974-PTTW
Empire House
Rochdale
OL12 6AE
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@empire-groupuk.com
Website: http://www.language-empire.co.uk
Region: UKD37 - Greater Manchester North East
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
SIGN SOLUTIONS (SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AGENCY) LTD
- Companies House: 04802772
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNYL-9683-ZHQD
First Floor, Ipsley Barn Berrington Close
Redditch
B98 0TJ
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@signsolutions.uk.com
Website: https://www.signsolutions.uk.com/
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2
SUPREME LINGUISTIC SERVICES LTD
- Companies House: 09340464
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYVM-6327-DZJV
Station House, Suite D, Great Barr Business Park, Baltimore Road
Birmingham
B42 1DY
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2
THE ROYAL ASSOCIATION FOR DEAF PEOPLE
- Companies House: 03973353
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYLX-6522-JNHN
Crystal Wharf, 36 Graham Street
London
N1 8GJ
United Kingdom
Email: info@royaldeaf.org.uk
Website: http://www.royaldeaf.org.uk
Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2
THEBIGWORD INTERPRETING SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 06232449
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVYR-5722-JQHJ
Brainworks, Unit 4
Leeds
LS12 6LL
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@thebigword.com
Website: https://en-gb.thebigword.com/
Region: UKE42 - Leeds
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contract 2
Contract 3
VANDU LANGUAGES
- Companies House: 04545688
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXYY-4468-XRDQ
36 St. Nicholas Lane
Lewes
BN7 2JZ
United Kingdom
Email: aaron@vandu.co.uk
Website: http://www.vandu.co.uk
Region: UKJ22 - East Sussex CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contract 3
Contracting authority
East Sussex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXGX-2145-PRQJ
County Hall, St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
BN7 1UE
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ22 - East Sussex CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government