Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Shared Business Services Limited
05280446
Three Cherry Trees Lane, Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AH
UK
Contact person: Zeeshan Ali
E-mail: nsbs.nhsbusinessservices@nhs.net
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/19810794
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other: Public Sector Framework Provider - https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/nhs-sbs-about-us
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION SERVICES (SBS10127)
Reference number: SBS10127
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79540000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework/Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).
NHS SBS intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Interpretation and Translation Services] and related Goods and Services for Healthcare to be used by NHS SBS Approved Organisations.
Our Approved Organisation list can be found on:
https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements-categories/
We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on these elements in the tender
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
73 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
The Lot structure is indicative at this stage and will be confirmed in any resultant Contract Notice/Tender Notice.Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Face to Face
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot for the provision of Face to Face Interpretation Services Suppliers will supply spoken word interpreters, across a range of languages for varied public sector language requirements. This could include interpreters with language specialisms including legal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, IT, media, trauma, children, education, mental health, transportation, engineering, procurement, marketing, housing, benefits, immigration, defence, security, technical and government (central and local).
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
British Sign Language (BSL)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot for the provision of BSL Interpretation and Translation Services and ancillary services.
Suppliers will supply interpreters or translators able to provide non-verbal communication to the deaf and deaf-blind community for varied public sector requirements.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Telephone Interpretation
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Telephone Interpretation - Suppliers will provide telephone based spoken word services across a range of common and rare languages for varied public sector customers. The service will be available on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year basis to provide full coverage and access to first-person interpretation services.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Document Translation and Ancillary Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Document Translation services including transcription and ancillary services. Provision of Document translation and ancillary services, such as website localisation services, transcription services and more. Suppliers will provide document translation services across a range of languages across all forms of written texts and performed by qualified translators, Machine translated, or a mixture of both with post translation editing. Documents can be varied and may include manuals, handbooks, marketing brochures, flyers, leaflets and letters, website material, guidance or information documents. File formats may include MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and text, RTF, PDF, Quark, Photoshop and Illustrator plus many more.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Video Interpretation
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Video Interpretation Services. Provision of Video Interpretation services as both 'On-Demand' and 'Pre-Booked' services with the ability to use commonly used video conferencing software or bespoke portals from suppliers.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Digital Interpretation
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Provision of digital interpretation will allow interpretation to be done via an app through smartphones/devices.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
Lot No: 7
II.2.1) Title
One Stop Shop
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79530000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
One Stop Shop Interpretation and Translation Service. One Stop Shop offers customers access to all of the services defined under Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 through one Supplier. It is anticipated that delivery of a One Stop shop will enable effective and efficient management of all bookings, service availability, timesheeting, invoicing and management information.
II.2.14) Additional information
Duration in months: 01/05/2025 / End 30/04/2029
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework/DPS, subject to review and change, is expected to go live shortly after the expiry of the existing Framework Agreement 10172 on May 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAPAriba RFI.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
08/11/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to signal an intention to commence market engagement with those within the Interpretation and Translations market.
Please complete the RFI via the SAP Ariba portal. Should you have access issues, please contact nsbs.nhsbusinessservices@nhs.net for a digital copy.
The deadline for RFI responses is 25/06/2024 at 17:00 hours
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) reserves the right to withdraw this notice at any time. NHS SBS is not bound to accept any proposals submitted by Bidders and is not liable for any costs incurred as a result of Bidders engaging with this process. This early market engagement exercise does not guarantee that a Procurement will take place and NHS SBS reserves the right to defer from any Procurement entirely.
NHS SBS intends to hold market engagement sessions during July 2024 with industry experts and suppliers interested in potentially bidding for the resulting Framework Agreement
NHS SBS will use an eSourcing system for any procurement activity taken subsequent to this PIN and reserves the right to use an electronic auction. The eSourcing system we will use is SAP Ariba.
Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a Framework Agreement if invited to do so.
The value in II.1.5 is an indicative value over 4 years from 1st May 2025
The date in II.3) is the estimated date of publication, please monitor Find a Tender Service https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search for the publication of the relevant high value contract notice.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
24/05/2024