Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2025-03-07
Buyer: Länsi-Uudenmaan hyvinvointialue
Country: FI
Region: FI1B1
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 48740000 | 72212740
Submission deadline: 2025-09-01

Technical requirements: Suomenkielinen versio on liitteellä yksi (liite 1). REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: Procurement of Translation Tool 4502/2024 THIS IS NOT A PRIOR NOTICE, PROCUREMENT NOTICE, OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO INITIATE MARKET DIALOGUE AS PART OF THE PROCUREMENT PLANNING. The purpose of this information request is to explore the market and obtain more detailed information about the providers (including startups and associations) that produce translation tools or applications utilizing generative artificial intelligence for language translation. The goal of the translation tool is to assist professional translators in language translation with AI assistance and to streamline the translation process. The primary source and target languages are Finnish, Swedish, and English. The source material and the target language can also be other languages such as Arabic, Russian, Estonian, Somali, Ukrainian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Kurdish (Sorani), Mandarin Chinese, or French. Example Workflow for Producing a Translation No. 1 (AI Built into the Translation Tool): The translator uploads a Word file containing Finnish text into the translation tool. The translation tool segments the Finnish text by sentence. The translation tool suggests a translation for each segment either from the translation memory and/or produced by the AI. Alternatively, the tool offers a complete context-based translation that the translator can edit within the tool. The translator makes the necessary corrections to the translation. Once the translation is complete, the translation tool generates a Word file that retains the formatting of the translation. Example Workflow for Producing a Translation No. 2 (External AI Solution Integrated into the Translation Tool): The translator uploads a Word file containing Finnish text into the translation tool. The translation tool segments the Finnish text by sentence. The translation tool suggests a translation for each segment from the translation memory and/or a context-based translation produced by the AI solution integrated into the translation tool. The translator makes the necessary corrections to the translation. Once the translation is complete, the translation tool generates a Word file that retains the formatting of the translation. The workflow does not necessarily have to correspond to the two exemplary workflows mentioned above, but those interested in the procurement are also encouraged to present other possible solutions. It is possible to offer one system as a complete solution or only the translation tool or the AI add-on to be integrated into the translation tool. Following the tender process, one (1) service provider will be preliminarily selected. If a translation tool and an AI add-on to be integrated into the translation tool are procured separately, possibly two (2) service providers will be selected. The preliminary estimated value of the procurement is €120,000 (excluding VAT) for a calculated four years. The solution resulting from the new competition would be implemented no later than May 2026. Desired Features This list includes the desired features, but since this is an evolving technology, you can respond to the information request even if all features are not yet included in the product. Possible future procurements will also consider solutions that partially meet the requirements or whose development plans support our needs. • The translation tool produces translations using generative AI. The AI operates contextually. The AI can be either built into the translation tool or integrated into the translation tool. • The translation tool has the ability to use, store, and receive existing translation memories and term banks, as well as create its own translation memories and term banks, which are available to all users of the translation tool, e.g., via the cloud. The translation tool suggests translations from the translation memories or alternatively, the built-in or integrated AI can be fine-tuned based on the translation memories, enabling the preservation of the translation style typical for our organization (tone of voice). • The translation tool can input translatable materials in various languages in the most common file formats (Office365 file formats and PDF). • The translation tool retains the formatting of the translatable material (retaining the formatting of the PDF file as well as possible). • The translation tool allows easy editing of translations from the translation memories or AI-produced translations. • AI produces translations in different languages, with mandatory Finnish, Swedish, English, and optionally, for example, Arabic, Russian, Estonian, Somali, Ukrainian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Kurdish (Sorani), Mandarin Chinese, or French. • The translation tool can be integrated into various management systems, such as order management systems. The possible AI add-on can be integrated into the translation tool if the procurement is carried out in two parts. • The translation tool generates versatile reports, such as the time spent on translation and the number of characters translated into the target language monthly. • The translation tool, AI features, and language model must be updatable as updates become available, and AI technology and language models develop. • GDPR and EU AI Act compliant solution. Preliminary Questions: 1. Describe what is under development, especially from the perspective of utilizing AI, in addition to the technology description. If your product does not fully meet the list of desired features, which features are not included in the product, and what solution do you propose? 2. Describe the pricing principles, e.g., based on capacity or the number of users, or can a fixed/predictable monthly or annual price be given for the solution? Are updates included in the price, or do they incur a separate cost? 3. How is data protection considered in the system?