Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for Interpreting Services (excluding Irish Language Services)

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :--------------- | :--- | :------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | The Office of Government Procurement Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for Interpreting Services (excluding Irish Language Services) 79530000-5 (Interpreting services) €75,000,000 Not stated Open Procedure 2 Ireland 4 years 2026-10-14 11:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This Request for Tenders (RFT) seeks to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement for the provision of spoken language interpreting services, excluding Irish language services. The framework will cover three formats: face-to-face interpreting, telephone interpreting, and video remote interpreting. These services are intended to facilitate real-time communication in meetings, events, interviews, and other live interactions.

The framework agreement is divided into two lots, each with a distinct value threshold and drawdown mechanism:

• Lot 1: Interpreting Services Across Multiple Languages (excl. Irish)

• Value Threshold: Total annual estimated contract value is less than €500,000.

• Discrete Services Contract Total Value Limit: €500,000.

• Drawdown Mechanism: Direct Drawdown by Rotation (Multi-Supplier Lot).

• Contract Term: Maximum 48 months (including extensions).

• Lot 2: Interpreting Services Across Multiple Languages (excl. Irish)

• Value Threshold: Total annual estimated contract value is greater than €500,000 and less than €2,000,000.

• Discrete Services Contract Total Value Limit: €2,000,000.

• Drawdown Mechanism: Direct Drawdown by Rotation (Multi-Supplier Lot).

• Contract Term: Maximum 48 months (including extensions).

Framework Clients will draw down services on a rotational basis. When a need arises, a Framework Client will contact the OGP to identify the next Framework Member in the rotation. The Framework Client will then issue a Service Request Form (SRF). The selected Framework Member must confirm their capacity to deliver the requested services within a specified timeframe. If capacity is confirmed, the Framework Client may award a Services Contract. The Framework Member must sign and return the executed Services Contract within 5 working days. The Framework Client will then sign the Services Contract, bringing it into effect. Multiple concurrent and/or consecutive Services Contracts may be awarded by Framework Clients.

The framework aims to appoint a maximum of nine Framework Members to Lot 1 and a maximum of six Framework Members to Lot 2. A desired, but not mandatory, minimum of four Framework Members is sought for each lot.

3. Background & buyer context

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), acting as a central purchasing body for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, is issuing this Request for Tenders (RFT). The OGP sources goods and services on behalf of the Irish public service. This procurement aims to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement to meet the interpreting service needs of various public sector entities, referred to as Framework Clients. These clients include central government departments, local authorities, health sector entities (e.g., HSE, HIQA), third-level educational institutions, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, and the Defence Forces. The estimated aggregate expenditure over the framework term is €75 million (excluding VAT). The procurement is conducted under the open procedure, aligning with the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The policy encourages participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for appointment to the framework:

• Turnover requirement:

• Lot 1: Minimum average annual turnover of €750,000 (excluding VAT) for each of the last three financial years (2023, 2024, 2025), or since establishment if more recent.

• Lot 2: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,250,000 (excluding VAT) for each of the last three financial years (2023, 2024, 2025), or since establishment if more recent.

• Tenderers applying for both lots must meet the sum of the cumulative turnover levels required for both Lot 1 and Lot 2.

• Insurance:

• Employer's Liability: €12.7 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence (not required if self-employed).

• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.

• Professional Indemnity: Up to €500,000 Any One Claim and in the aggregate per period of insurance for Lot 1. Up to €2 million Any One Claim and in the aggregate per period of insurance for Lot 2. (Note: Framework Clients may apply higher PI levels up to €3 million at Service Request Form stage).

• Cyber Insurance: Up to €1 million in any one claim and in the aggregate for Lot 1 & Lot 2. (Note: Framework Clients may apply higher Cyber Insurance levels up to €3 million at Service Request Form stage).

• Past experience:

• A minimum of three Services Contracts performed within the last three calendar years (or since establishment if more recent).

• Each Services Contract must demonstrate the required complexity and nature of the services.

• Each Services Contract must have a total value of at least €250,000.

• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.

• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the services being for Framework Clients in Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation will be conducted based on a combination of qualitative and cost criteria. Tenderers must achieve minimum marks in each criterion and overall to proceed.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria