Sign Language Interpretation

The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) requires a Contractor to provide Sign Language Interpretation Services. The main part of the requirement is from English to/from British Sign Language.

The Contractor must provide simultaneous BSL interpreting for parliamentary business as requested. This will be filmed live and broadcasted on the BSL Channel on the Scottish Parliament TV (SPTV), other broadcast channels and will be archived.

There will also be a requirement to provide other forms of sign languages or supporting services as required. The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) requires a Contractor to provide Sign Language Interpretation Services.

The objective of this Contract is to enable people living in Scotland who are Deaf, Deafblind, hard of hearing, or who have other communication support needs to engage with the Scottish Parliament and participate meaningfully in parliamentary business, public engagement activities, and events. The Contractor must work cooperatively with the SPCB to provide solutions for all SPCB sign language requirements.

As a minimum, the Contractor must be able to provide the following Services: 1. BSL interpreting of FMQs, which are broadcast live on SPTV, currently on the BBC, and to visitors in the Chamber gallery and Main Hall. 2.

BSL interpreting of other parliamentary business, which may also be filmed, and broadcast either live or retrospectively. 3. Interpreting for Scottish Parliament events, including ceremonial events such as the Opening of Parliament, and engagement events such as the Festival of Politics.

Some of these events will be filmed, broadcast and archived. 4. Interpreting for witnesses giving evidence to committees. 5.

Interpreting for participants in engagement activities, including workshops, focus groups, educational sessions, tours, and meetings. 6. Interpreting for visitors to the Scottish Parliament accessing parliamentary services and facilities. 7.

Tactile BSL. Most requirements are expected to involve interpreting between English and BSL.

The Contractor may be required to provide other sign languages or additional supporting services as needed. Requirements for live interpreting of parliamentary business that is broadcast will always be in BSL and is expected to form the main element of the Services under this Contract.

The Contractor must be able to deliver this at a consistently high standard. In line with the commitments set out in its BSL Plan, the SPCB aims to continually improve the service it provides to Deaf and Deafblind BSL users. The Contractor must therefore not only meet the requirements in this Specification to a consistently high standard.