Language Services

Framework scope

The purpose of this framework agreement is to provide a full range of competitively priced, high quality, and compliant Language Services to the public sector covering the provision of Interpretation, Translation, Transcription, and additional Services related to language which are designed to help individuals communicate, understand and access information when needed.

Awarded suppliers will be able to provide a complete range of Language Services including Interpretation, Translation and Transcription, whilst also offering advisory and administrative support either directly or via selected appropriately qualified Sub-Contractors.

The framework agreement will enable Customers to facilitate communication between individuals, or groups of people, who either do not speak the same language, or have a degree of hearing loss, and also for Customers who wish to translate written material from one language to another or transcribe written material into an alternative format, Services may include, but are not limited to:

• Audio transcription
• Braille transcription
• Business translation
• Conference interpretation
• Document translation
• Face to face interpretation (spoken and non-spoken, including BSL)
• Legal translation
• Medical interpretation
• Medical translation
• Telephone interpretation
• Video interpretation (spoken and non-spoken)
• Website translation

What are the benefits of using this framework?

• All our frameworks are free to access.
• This framework is fully compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015
• Authorised participants can re-open competition within the framework, removing the need for a full tender exercise or lengthy supplier evaluation each time they have a Language Services requirement, saving time and costs associated with procurement exercises.
• Direct Award capability – giving you a quick, easy and PCR15 compliant route to procurement.
• The terms and conditions are safe and designed to protect you.
• Free and full support on using the framework through the KCS Procurement Services team.
• You are able to benefit from aggregated spend and lower pricing based on the value of the overall contract, even on low spend orders.
• The framework will be managed and monitored by KCS Procurement Services (acting for Kent County Council) on behalf of our customers and your views and requirements will be taken into account when reviewing and developing the contract.

Who can use this framework?

All public bodies have access to this agreement but may only do so with the agreement of the contracting authority. Those organisations who may wish to access this agreement will be members, affiliates and associates of the CBC Group, the police service, the fire service, the NHS & NHS Trusts, third sector organisations, academic centres (including academies), publicly funded organisations and publicly owned private companies, operating within the geographic boundaries of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. The agreement is also open for use by all other local authorities and public sector bodies.

How to access the framework

Customers can select the supplier they believe will offer best value for their requirement using one of the following options:

FURTHER COMPETITION

Customers can re-open competition with all capable suppliers awarded to the framework agreement by sending out a specification containing full details of requirements, allowing them a reasonable time limit to submit a response.

Full details of how to conduct a further competition, including templates, are available from the KCS Procurement Services framework team.

DIRECT AWARD

Direct award orders may be placed under this framework agreement provided the customer can meet any one of the following objective conditions:

• The customer is satisfied that, following their own due diligence, they can identify the supplier that offers best value for their requirement
• The supplier is able to supply the required services within the customers timescales
• The supplier achieved the highest total score during the evaluation process
• Services required are unique or exclusive to one supplier
• Continuity of existing services from an awarded supplier

CASCADE AWARD

Customers can select the most appropriate supplier based on their original tender submission scoring if they are able to meet the need as determined by the customer. If no additional requirements are required of the original Framework Agreement then the most appropriate supplier can be used, working downwards from the highest scoring supplier.