Scope
Reference
DN777173
Description
Southend-on-Sea City Council is looking for a single service provider to deliver a seamless, end-to-end Interpretation, Translation and Transcription service.
The services sought under this contract are written translations and interpretation (including BSL) specifically:
• Face-to-face interpreting
• Telephone interpreting (pre-booked and on-demand)
• Video interpreting (pre-booked and on-demand)
• Written translations (audio transcripts including subtitles, proof-reading,
certification, and notary)
• British Sign Language Interpreting
• British Sign Language Translation
It is anticipated that the contract term will be from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029, with the option to extend for a period of up to 3 years (subject to contract review and budget availability).
The deadline for submission of tenders is 12 noon on Friday 31st October 2025.
The tender documentation can be found here: https://procurement.southend.gov.uk/
The contracting authority is Southend-on-Sea City Council and any Successor Body meaning one or more entities which assumes any of the Council's functions (as applicable) as a result of Local Government Reform (LGR). Such successor body or bodies may be, without limitation, a local authority, a combined county authority, a strategic authority or any other status determined pursuant to the Devolution and LGR Legislation
Total value (estimated)
- £1,700,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 6 years
Description of possible extension:
For a period of up to 3 years (subject to contract review and budget availability).
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
- 79540000 - Interpretation services
Contract locations
- UKH31 - Southend-on-Sea
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
31 October 2025, 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)
3 March 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 September 2031
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 80% |
| Price | Price | 20% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Southend-on-Sea City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJDT-6566-GZNX
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, Essex
Southend On Sea
SS2 6FA
United Kingdom
Email: procurementops@southend.gov.uk
Website: https://southend.gov.uk
Region: UKH31 - Southend-on-Sea
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government