Translating IDML files using a CAT tool

Hi,

I'm using a CAT tool (memoQ) to translate user manuals done in InDesign. This is the process that I follow (simplified):

1. I receive IDML files

2. I convert them to XLIFF files

3. I import in memoQ

4. The translators start working (I'm a project manager)

5. When they are done I send the IDML files to the customer

Most things work pretty well except that when the translators need to add bolding or italic formatting to the target text (within memoQ) they can't do it unless the source has also the same formatting. If the source has a few words in bold or italics, they can simply copy and paste the tags from the source into the target, but if the source has nothing, the DTP person has to apply the bold after we export.

I'd like to be able to streamline this process because we're talking of user manuals that amount to more than 21000 words. They are updated every 3 months and 80% of the text remains the same, however, thanks to this formatting problem, every time we receive a new version the DTP person has to apply  (almost) all the formatting in the target again...

Thanks in advance for your help.