The Authority is responsible for the processing of asylum claims. This may be from individuals who are undocumented and for whom there is reason to have doubts about their claimed country of origin. The UK currently uses language analysis methods to support identification of an individual's country of origin. Therefore, there is a requirement for a service to analyse individuals' speech via interview to pinpoint linguistic origin and therefore country of origin where an individual's claim of origin is in doubt.
It is estimated that the contract will be let by August 2022 for a minimum of three years with a possible one year extension provision.
The Authority seeks a supplier to provide the linguistic experts who are highly qualified in the field with the accompanying credentials, and will be able to demonstrate their expertise and relevant previous experience for the purpose of Language Analysis services. The Language Analysis service is currently used to assist in identifying an asylum applicant's true place of origin where it is in doubt via analysis of the individuals linguistic origin.
This service should consist of a direct interview via telephone or by video teleconferencing software with a linguistic expert who has first-hand knowledge of the country and culture the person claims to be from, together with mother tongue comprehension of the stated language. The interview is also for the purpose of making a recording of the individual's speech, which is of sufficient quality and duration to enable analysis of the individual's language so that conclusions can be drawn as to that individual's linguistic origin(s).
A clear, detailed and reasoned linguistic analysis will include the study of all relevant elements of an individual's speech which, when analysed in the light of objective country information, will provide a determination of the person's nationality and country of origin. Following an initial indication, a preliminary report will need to be made to the Authority either via email or verbally by video teleconferencing software as requested by the Authority. A full written report in which the final conclusion as to the tested individual's claimed or actual linguistic origin are laid out and reasoned; this report is to be issued electronically using an agreed secure electronic form of transfer. The supplier may also be requested to provide a secure encrypted removable media of the audio recordings of the analysis interview on which the full written report is based on and, in selected cases, transcriptions in English of the audio recordings of the analysis interview.