Provision for Interpreting and Translation Services

NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC), (the 'Authority') is seeking to establish a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Interpreting and Translation Services for use by the NHS and other Participating Authorities. The Framework Agreement will provide the supply of language support services to staff requiring assistance in providing clinical services, either individually or as groups, to service users who speak, communicate or read languages other than English. The Framework Agreement will include the following services as a minimum, but not be limited to: * Face to Face Interpreting Services * Telephone Interpreting Services * Video Interpreting Services * Translation Services (including hard copy and electronic translation services) * Sensory impairment including Non-spoken languages e.g. British Sign Language (BSL)/ Sign Supported English (SSE) / Braille/ audio/ text relay/ SMS. (planned and unplanned care**) Non-Essential/Optional: * Easy read The services sought under this Framework Agreement will incorporate a service that may be delivered either directly by the Service Providers or indirectly through a subcontracting arrangement (noting in this latter case the Service Providers shall remain responsible for the outputs). Authorities can utilise the framework for requirements in scope of the above in the following way where applicable; A. Direct award process where the Most Economic Advantageous tender can be identified; B. Quotation process or Further Competition Procedure to establish the most economically advantageous tender in order to meet the specific requirements of the Participating Authorities. The Framework duration will be 2 years with the option to extend for a further 12 months + 12 months. The maximum framework duration will be 4 years.