Scope
Description
Translation of spoken and non-spoken language including associated services and solutions for the Cheshire & Merseyside ICB Group with Wirral as the lead Trust for the procurement notices.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £4,000,000 excluding VAT
- £4,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Extension will be agreed with the Authority in aligment to their requirements. Open framework proposed with 2+2+1 (subject to Trust discretion)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79530000 - Translation services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
All Lots will be evaluated independently of one another. Where a bidder is recommended for award to mutliple Lots a single Framework Agreement shall be issued covering all awarded Lots
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Lot 1: Spoken Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Description
Enabling access to on-site Face-to-Face Interpreting for spoken languages, the provision of Remote Interpreting Solutions for spoken and non-spoken languages, and the immediate connection to an interpreter on the telephone, by video, by video conferencing and/or via a secure app-based service alongside the provision of wider translation and transcription services.
The provision of Services under this Lot cover the following offerings:
Face-to-Face Interpreting
Applicable to on-site and sessional work, this Service provision shall include but is not limited to Face-to-Face Interpreting Services for spoken languages which entail direct oral communication between the principal parties through the use of an Interpreter or sessional/class based interactive sessions to facilitate education, awareness and understand requirements between the principal parties.
This includes the following services, and any other areas which can be properly described as Face-to Face Interpreting:
- Consecutive Interpreting
- On-site Interpreting
- 24 Hour Service, 365 days a year
- Emergency bookings and out-of- hours bookings
- Booking Management/Subscription Services
Remote Interpreting Solutions including telephone, video and app-based services
Translation and/or Transcription Services
This service includes the provision of Translation Services which requires the interpretation of written text in a source language to be accurately translated into a specified language by a suitably qualified person or through the use of technology. This also includes the provision of transcription services which converts or transcribes speech (either live or recorded) into a written or electronic text document by a suitably qualified person or through the use of technology, including proof reading services.
Applicable to remote interpreting solutions including telephone, video and app-based services, this service includes the provision of remote interpreting solutions for spoken languages, enabling the immediate connection to an interpreter on the telephone, by video, by video conferencing and/or via a secure app-based service.
This includes the following services, and any other areas which can be properly described as Telephone Interpreting Services:
- On-demand and Scheduled Availability
- 24 Hour Service, 365 days a year
- Provision of Hardware and Software (where required)
- Emergency bookings and out-of- hours bookings
- Booking Management/Subscription Services
There is also scope for alternative remote mediums that represent an innovative and robust route to market.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,000,000 excluding VAT
- £2,400,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Non-Spoken Interpretation and Translation Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Description
Enabling access to on-site and/or remote interpretation and translation solutions for non-spoken languages, this Lot encompasses services including Sign Language variations depending on the requirements of the Participating Authority and includes the provision of communication professionals specialising in interpretation and translation work with non-spoken, deaf, and deafblind people either on-site, or remotely via written, online, video and/or app-based solutions.
This includes the provision of British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters as well as the following associated services and any other that can be properly described as a Non-Spoken Interpretation or Translation Service:
• Interpreters for Deafblind People
• Lip speakers
• Notetakers
• Sign Supported English (SSE)
• Sign Language Translators
• Deaf Relay Interpreting
• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Irish Sign Language (ISL)
• Speech to Text Reporters
• Cued Speech/Makaton and Sign Language in other Foreign Languages as examples.
The core services outlined above, shall be offered in addition to the below:
• On-demand and Scheduled Availability
• 24 Hour Service, 365 days a year
• Provision of Hardware and Software (where required)
• Emergency bookings and out-of- hours bookings
• Minimum call-out parameters
• Booking Management/Subscription Services
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Managed Services
Description
Enabling the provision of interpreters/translators through deployment of a managed service, or subscription based model, the permissible scope of Lot 3 requires Suppliers to:
Offer the scope of interpretation, translation, and transcription services that they are awarded to across Lot 1 and Lot 2 as a supplementary/optional service option either in part or in full.
Offer the option to outsource all internal elements of the service within the scope of the agreement that is managed by the Participating Authority to the Supplier to deliver an on-site (resourced solution) or an off-site (shared service centre) solution. The Supplier will act as a prime contractor on a master vendor basis (sub-contracting with other suppliers) with a dedicated resource/headcount allocated to the contract to deliver the agreed scope of services to the agreed contract terms, key performance indicators and budget/savings targets.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
31 March 2031
Maximum number of suppliers
999
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
1%
Framework operation description
Any Contract(s) awarded as a result of this procurement will be awarded on the basis of the offer that is the most advantageous tender. The Award Criteria (Award Criteria) are:
• 55.00% technical or quality.
• 35.00% cost.
• 10.00% social value
Scores are arrived at following the application of the Evaluation Criteria (Evaluation Criteria) set out in the scoring methodoloy for each Lot.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Alder Hey
Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
East Cheshire NHS Trust
Halton
Liverpool Heart and Chest
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool Women NHS Foundation Trust
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Mersey Care
Mid Cheshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Primary Care (Liverpool Place)
The Walton Centre
Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Cheshire & Merseyside ICB
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Lot 1: Spoken Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Non-Spoken Interpretation and Translation Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Managed Services
Financial and economic good standing assessment to be undertaken as part of the qualification process
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Lot 1: Spoken Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Non-Spoken Interpretation and Translation Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Managed Services
Technical ability will be evaluated according to the scoring methodology in the tender documents
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Lot 1: Spoken Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Non-Spoken Interpretation and Translation Services (On-site and/or Remote)
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Interpretation, Translation and Transcription Managed Services
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
5 December 2025, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 January 2026, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Via the Bravo Portal https://healthtrusteurope.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 5 January 2028
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Evaluation | Quality | 55% |
| Price Evaluation | Price | 35% |
| Social Value (Mandatory 10%) | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Organisation Data Service: RBL
Arrowe Park Road, Upton
Wirral
CH49 5PE
United Kingdom
Contact name: Customer Care
Telephone: 01516785111
Email: customercare@htepg.com
Website: https://www.wuth.nhs.uk/
Region: UKD74 - Wirral
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.
HealthTrust Europe LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: On 11th August 2021, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) published a contract notice for procurement partner services. HealthTrust Europe LLP (HTE) was selected to provide these services under the MSE Framework, including access to HTE's public sector frameworks. HTE is now conducting this procurement exercise as part of its services to the Customers under the MSE Framework.
- Companies House: OC358224
19 George Road
Birmingham
B15 1NU
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham