FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW HealthTrust Europe s Interpretation and Translation Services framework agreement offers a simple, compliant route to market for the procurement of quality Interpretation and Translation services at competitive rates. The framework is entirely free to access and offers public sector users the option of allowing both direct call-off and further competition. HealthTrust Europe (HTE) has established a real value-driven offering reflecting the needs of the customer, increasing flexibility in call off arrangements and broadening the scope to include emerging technologies. The agreement offers great worth and our staff will provide advice and support during the transfer process. HTE is committed to providing a high quality, safe and effective framework agreement underpinned by best practice principles. The framework agreement also encompasses the draft standards developed by NHS England ( NHS England Principles for High Quality Interpreting and Translation Services ). HTE procured this framework agreement in compliance with the restricted procedure set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2006 and the EU Combined Directive (2004/18/EC). The Framework Agreement was publicly advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union 2015/S 042-072480 on 25 February 2015 under the restricted procedure. Free to Access Compliant Route to Market Quick and Easy Sign Up Process Greater Flexibility Quality Auditable Framework Assigned Support Page 1 of 7
SERVICES INCLUDED The 4 lots under the Interpretation and Translation Services Framework include the following: Lot 1 - Face-to-Face Interpreting This Lot includes the provision of Face-to-Face Interpreting Services for spoken languages which entails direct oral communication between the principal parties through the use of an Interpreter. This Lot shall include the following 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 Lot 2 - Telephone Interpreting This includes the provision of Telephone Interpreting Services for spoken languages and enables immediate connection to an interpreter on the telephone. This Lot shall include the following 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 telephone equipment (where required) Emergency bookings and out-of-hours bookings There is also scope for alternative mediums of service delivery in the form of Video Remote Interpreting and Video Conferencing. Lot 3 - Non-Spoken Language Services This Lot includes the provision of communication professionals who work with deaf and deafblind people in the UK in the area of nonspoken language. This Lot shall include the provision of British Sign Language Interpreters as well as some or all of the following and any other communication professionals who can communicate with deaf and deafblind people: Interpreters for deafblind People Page 2 of 7
Lipspeakers Notetakers Sign Supported English (SSE) Sign Language Translators Speech to Text Reporters Deaf Relay Interpreters Online BSL 24hr service, 365 days a year Emergency bookings and out-of- hours bookings Lot 4 - Translation and Transcription Services This Lot includes the provision of Translation Services which requires the interpretation of written text in the source language and rendering that material clearly and accurately into the target language. It also includes the provision of transcription services which converts speech (either live or recorded) into a written or electronic text document and proof reading. This Lot shall include the provision of document translation, transcription services (text to audio/audio to text for English to English and non-english languages) and proof reading as well as some or all of the following services and alternative formats: Multilingual Voice Overs Easy Read Braille Large Print Page 3 of 7
Lot 1 Face to Face Interpreting Lot 2 Telephone Interpreting Lot 3 Non-Spoken Language Services Lot 4 Translation and Transcription Services FRAMEWORK SUPPLIERS Below shows an overview of the awarded Interpretation and Translations Suppliers awarded to the framework and detail the lots under which they supply. AA Global Language Services Ltd Absolute Interpreting and Translations Ltd Action Deafness Communications AtoZ Interpreting & Translation Services LTD Capita Translation and Interpreting Ltd D.A. Languages Limited Express Interpreting & Translation Ltd T/A WORD360 Faircomplus Ltd T/A Communication Plus Five Star Interpreting & Translations Global Connections (Scotland) Limited Global Translation Services Language Connect International Ltd Language Empire Ltd Language Line Limited Oncall Interpreters Ltd Prestige Network Ltd Sign Solutions (SLIA) Ltd The Language Shop Wagner Consulting LLC Word360 Ltd Framework Status Key: Provider available against this Lot Provider not available against this Lot Page 4 of 7
KEY BENEFITS Free to Access: Compliant Route to Market: Quick and Easy Sign Up Process: Greater Flexibility: Quality Auditable Framework: Assigned Support: Customers do not pay any fees to access this framework, it is free of charge. The framework will save procurement time and costs. It is fully compliant with the Public Contracts regulations and with EU Procurement Directives so you do not have to carry out a full EU compliant tender yourself which is very costly and time consuming. As the framework is for the provision of a service it is not subject to, or impacted by, NHSI Agency rate cap initiatives. The process is straightforward and simply requires that an order form/access agreement be exchanged to ensure your compliance. This is a quick and easy process via electronic means. Once you have been registered to access the framework agreement, a call off can be made either by direct award for standard services or further competition (competed services). To allow trusts to agree unique requirements at a local level. The framework has inbuilt strict auditable guidelines with respect to operation of the framework, including recruitment, induction and training procedures, experiences and qualifications, safeguarding and information governance to ensure quality. The framework is underpinned by NHS England s draft principles and standards which govern Interpretation and Translation Services in the Health Sector and has involved input from external bodies such as NRCPD, NUBSLI and RSLI working together to raise standards in the industry. HealthTrust Europe will provide support for call-off processes and the ongoing management of agreements. Page 5 of 7
ACCESS TO THE FRAMEWORK Interpretation and Translation services can be accessed via this framework by all public sector bodies, including: Central Government Departments and their executive agencies Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) National Health Service (NHS) bodies Health Boards, NHS Trusts, Community Health Councils and other constituent bodies of the NHS in Wales NHS Scotland and its constituent bodies Health and Social Care Trusts, Health Agencies and other constituent bodies of the NHS in Northern Ireland. Local Authorities Police Forces and other emergency services Educational establishments Registered social landlords (RSLs) Registered charities Devolved and other administrations within the British Isles Her Majesty s Prison Service The Ministry of Defence Once you have set up to access the framework agreement, a call off can be made by direct award or by reopening competition to determine the most suitable supplier to meet your individual requirements for Interpretation and Translation Services. Page 6 of 7
FAQS 1. What should I do next? For new customers, registration is quick and easy. Contact our Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000, or by email at customercare@htepg.com, and they will direct you towards your Business Development Manager. For existing customers talk to your Health Trust Europe Account Manager for further details. Once you have made the decision to use the agreement, transfer can be completed promptly. 2. How can I be sure that this Framework Agreement can be used by my organisation and remain compliant? The framework agreement was publicly advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (on 25 February 2015) with reference number 2015/S 042-072480. Each of the successful bidders has been rigorously vetted in terms of their quality and value propositions through a series of qualification, technical and commercial responses requested for evaluation. A copy of the OJEU notice can be obtained by contacting the Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or email customercare@htepg.com 3. What do I do if the supplier that my organisation uses is not on the framework? Please email HTE s Customer Care team at customercare@htepg.com, providing as much information as possible regarding the services required (i.e. supplier name, requirement, current rates paid excluding VAT). The Customer Care team will liaise with the Category Team to address your requirements. The Category Team will verify whether your requirements can be met by another supplier on our framework. 4. How long is the framework valid for? The framework went live on the 24 May 2016 and will be in place for a duration of 2 years, with the option to extend for a further 12 months, after which there is the option to extend for a further 12 months at HealthTrust Europe s discretion - a total extension period of 24 months and a maximum potential contract duration of 48 months, subject to both extensions being triggered at HTE's discretion. For further information regarding this framework agreement, please speak to your Account Manager. Alternatively please contact the Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or by email at customercare@htepg.com. Page 7 of 7