Scope
Reference
JS/CORP/LCC/24/104
Description
The contract is to provide language services including spoken and non-spoken Interpretation and Translation services to the Authority.
The contract will be tendered in two (2) Lots;
Lot 1 - Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for spoken languages, telephone interpretation and document translation services. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances when Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority. Of the language services provided in the financial year 2024-25, Polish, Urdu, Arabic and Bengali have been the most requested. However, the Authority provided services to 68 different languages during this period, including reasonably high numbers for Punjabi, Romanian and Kurdish / Kurdish Sorani.
Lot 2 - Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for non-spoken communication including British Sign Language, lipspeaking and Palantypist. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances where Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority.
The Authority provides a wide range of services across the county; therefore, the interpretation and translation requirements will cover a wide range of services. Currently, the service is predominately provided for Social Care; however, it is expected that any service within the Authority should be able to access the agreement as and when required.
Lot 1. Spoken Interpretation and Translation
Description
Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for spoken languages, telephone interpretation and document translation services. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances when Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority.The Authority provided services to 68 different languages during 2024-25.The 2023-24 cost of procuring the required language interpretation services was circa £260,000. Of this spend, most requests for spoken interpretation were related to Children's Services, with the remainder related to Adult Services. Circa £82,000 of this cost was for document translation.
Lot 2. Non Spoken Services
Description
Face to Face interpreting for Social Service requirements, interviews, meetings, consultation, for non-spoken communication including British Sign Language, lipspeaking and Palantypist. Video interpretation will only be accepted as a substitute in instances where Face to Face fulfilment cannot be fulfilled; this must be agreed in advance with a relevant representative from the Authority.The 2023-24 annual cost of procuring non spoken services was circa £29,000.The Authority provides a wide range of services across the county; therefore, the interpretation and translation requirements will cover a wide range of services. Currently, the service is predominately provided for Social Care; however, it is expected that any service within the Authority should be able to access the agreement as and when required.There are approximately 270 requests made per year with the majority being for British Sign Language services; however, other services may be requested throughout the duration of the contract as required.The service is also inclusive of document translation services, translating into an appropriate format, such as video.
Contract 1
Lots
Lot 1. Spoken Interpretation and Translation
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,040,000 excluding VAT
- £1,248,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
30 July 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
31 July 2025
Standstill period
- End: 12 August 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
13 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028
- Possible extension to 31 August 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
The Authority has the option to extend this agreement beyond the Initial Term by a further period up to a maximum of 12 months in addition to the Initial Term.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Contract locations
- UKD4 - Lancashire
Contract 2
Lots
Lot 2. Non Spoken Services
Supplier
Contract value
- £116,000 excluding VAT
- £139,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
30 July 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
31 July 2025
Standstill period
- End: 12 August 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
13 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028
- Possible extension to 31 August 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
The Authority has the option to extend this agreement beyond the Initial Term by a further period up to a maximum of 12 months in addition to the Initial Term.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Contract locations
- UKD4 - Lancashire
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Spoken Interpretation and Translation
- 6 tenders received
- 5 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 5 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 4 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Non Spoken Services
- 4 tenders received
- 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 4 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
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 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
Contracting authority
Lancashire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBJ-2179-TNXM
PO Box 100, County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Evaluation and ongoing contract management support for the social value deliverables under the future contract.
- Companies House: 09197997
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQHH-4489-TLZM
Tintagel House
London
SE1 7TY
United Kingdom
Email: sales@socialvalueportal.com
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth