Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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182. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, has cancelled the tendering process for interpretation and translation services; when the tendering process will commence for translation services by the OGP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Interpretation Services framework was established in February 2016. There are 3 framework suppliers.  The Translation Services framework was established in March 2016. There are 6 framework suppliers.  Both frameworks are for the provision of services in respect of some 90 languages and are both are still in place.

Draw down from both the Interpretation Services framework and the Translation Services framework is by way of supplementary request for tender (SRFT) amongst framework members. SRFT award criteria are based on a combination of quality and price.

One SRFT for Interpretation Services has been cancelled pursuant to clause 6.5 of the Framework Agreement.  This clause allows for cancellation at any stage of the process in advance of the award of contract.  As there was a question as to the process, it was deemed appropriate to cancel the SRFT in the interest of timely delivery of services to the public. This does not affect the status of the Frameworks which are still in place.  A new SRFT to replace the one cancelled under the Interpretation Services Framework will issue in the coming weeks.