Tender Process for Language Services

1) When the organisation last ran a procurement or tender process for language services, including (but not limited to) translation, interpretation, or transcription services.



2) The evaluation weighting used in that tender, specifically the percentage weighting allocated to quality and the percentage weighting allocated to price (e.g., 70% quality / 30% price).



3) The quality and price scores awarded to each bidder in that tender, including:

3a) The name of each bidder

3b) The quality score for each bidder.

3c) The price score for each bidder.

3d) The total score for each bidder 

1. The most recent known procurement exercise for language services detailed in your request was the Language Services Contract, issued on 18 October 2023 as a further competition under the ESPO Language Services Framework 402_20 which was created under the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

2. The weighting for Price was 30% and Quality was 70%.

3a-d. In accordance with Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), you are advised that Lincolnshire County Council (the Council) does hold information that falls within the description specified in your request. Section 43(2) of the FOIA, provides that Information is exempt information if its disclosure under the FOIA would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the Council). A commercial interest relates to a person’s ability to participate competitively in a commercial activity, including the provision of services, usually to make a profit but this can also be to cover costs. Disclosure of the requested information would also be likely to undermine trust, and the effective working relationship, between the Council and its provider(s).  If the Council disclose this type of information, it will affect Providers’ willingness to work for and with us which would exacerbate the current challenging environment and would be likely to prejudice the Council's commercial interests, as we would be unable to ensure the provision of services, and this could also be detrimental to our ability to achieve best value for money and cover our costs. The Council is, therefore, satisfied that disclosure would harm each bidder’s commercial interests as well as our own. The Council is therefore satisfied that the exemption at Section 43(2) is engaged.