Scope
Reference
2025-062
Description
Milton Keynes City Council ('the Council') would like to engage in discussions with providers of Interpreter Service to develop collaborative approaches to increasing local sufficiency.
Milton Keynes City Council is seeking early engagement with the market to inform the development of a new contract model that reflects both traditional and digital approaches to language access. This will ensure continued support and improved service delivery; it is proposed that the Interpreter Service be recommissioned from 1 May 2026 under a new contract structure.
The contract will be looking to cover both traditional and digital approaches to language access.
The recommissioned service will be:
1. Traditional Interpreting Services: (Face-to-Face, Telephone, and Video Interpreting - Spoken and Non-Spoken)
2. Digital and AI-Supported Language Tools: (Translation, Transcription, and Communication Support Technologies)
We are keen to hear from providers on the questions given in the market engagement document. The responses to the questions will help the Council in developing the specification and the tender.
Please respond to the questions within the attached document by latest 5pm on 16th July 2025 via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. A provider engagement event will be held w/c 28th July 2025, please indicate in the attached document if you would like to receive an invitation.
The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home
Total value (estimated)
- £260,000 excluding VAT
- £312,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029
- Possible extension to 30 April 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48740000 - Foreign language translation software package
- 72212740 - Foreign language translation software development services
- 79530000 - Translation services
Contract locations
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Engagement
Engagement deadline
16 July 2025
Engagement process description
Milton Keynes City Council ('the Council') would like to engage in discussions with providers of Interpreter Service to develop collaborative approaches to increasing local sufficiency.
Milton Keynes City Council is seeking early engagement with the market to inform the development of a new contract model that reflects both traditional and digital approaches to language access. This will ensure continued support and improved service delivery; it is proposed that the Interpreter Service be recommissioned from 1 May 2026 under a new contract structure.
The contract will be looking to cover both traditional and digital approaches to language access.
The recommissioned service will be:
1. Traditional Interpreting Services: (Face-to-Face, Telephone, and Video Interpreting - Spoken and Non-Spoken)
2. Digital and AI-Supported Language Tools: (Translation, Transcription, and Communication Support Technologies)
We are keen to hear from providers on the questions given in the market engagement document. The responses to the questions will help the Council in developing the specification and the tender.
Please respond to the questions within the attached document by latest 5pm on 16th July 2025 via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. A provider engagement event will be held w/c 28th July 2025, please indicate in the attached document if you would like to receive an invitation.
The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
6 October 2025
Contracting authority
Milton Keynes City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDZ-6131-PWZH
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East
Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Procurement Team
Telephone: 01908691691
Email: corporateprocurement@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Website: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk
Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government