Tender

ITT for Item Writing Services Framework for the Standards and Testing Agency

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

11 Feb 2025 at 11:48

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education (DfE), through its Standards and Testing Agency (STA), has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for an Item Writing Services Framework for the 2025-2029 period. The framework targets suppliers capable of developing high-quality test items for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. The process is currently in the tender stage, with tender submissions due by 30 April 2025. The procurement covers multiple regions across the United Kingdom, including London, the South East, and the East Midlands. The framework's initial term runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2029, with an option to extend for up to 12 months until August 2030. The maximum value for the framework, including potential extensions, is £2.5 million. The procurement method is an open procedure, aimed at ensuring transparency and competition among suppliers in the education and training services category, classified under CPV 80000000.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in education and training services, particularly those with experience in item writing and test development. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to compete, with the potential for successful suppliers to secure multiple call-offs during the framework’s duration. The framework will necessitate skills in item development, trialling, reviewing, and administration, covering various aspects of the National Curriculum assessments. By becoming part of this framework, businesses can gain consistent work, contribute to national educational standards, and enhance their market presence in the public sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

ITT for Item Writing Services Framework for the Standards and Testing Agency

Notice Description

The Department of Education, the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), is inviting potential suppliers to submit their bids for the new 2025-2029 Item Writing Services Framework. As part of the test development process, the STA, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), is seeking to appoint suppliers experienced in item writing to support the development of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. We require a number of suppliers who are capable of understanding the relevant programmes of study, test frameworks, and curricula for particular tests, and developing high-quality test items with accompanying mark schemes and/or coding frames. Successful suppliers will be added to the Item Writing Framework 2025-2029 and will have the opportunity to bid for each call-off from the framework between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2029. Once an organisation has been accepted onto the framework, they will bid for item writing services contracts. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be disseminated to all those on the framework for all work. Each call-off from this framework will provide detailed requirements, including the subject and content domain areas, item types, mark range, difficulty range, and other desired properties. The core requirements for the Item Writing Services Framework include the delivery of the following services in order to support the development of high-quality, accessible, and inclusive items suitable for DfE assessments: Key Stages 1 and 2 English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, English reading, and mathematics. - Item writing - Informal item trialling - Reviewing, refining and amending items - Item classification - Design (items and texts) - Text searching / sourcing (English reading) - Reviewing texts (English reading) - Text selection (English reading)/Context selection (science) - Text trialling (English reading) - Informal item and text trialling (English reading) - Printing to meet handover or trialling requirements - Developing mark schemes - Developing coding frames - Administration/ organisation of various elements The initial framework term will be four years (September 2025 - August 2029). There is an option to extend the framework term for up to 12 months, until August 2030. The maximum value of the framework including the extension will be PS2.5M Additional information: Tender documents can be accessed free of charge via the department's e-procurement portal, Jaggaer, following the expression of interest.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-baf30cc7-88a8-4127-b75e-d4e9e5cb8847
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4a2f555b-ee11-4c11-bd45-5344965ee80e
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
30 Apr 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenderstd.sta@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 2WT
Post Town
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG33 Coventry
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-baf30cc7-88a8-4127-b75e-d4e9e5cb8847-2025-02-11T11:48:54Z",
    "date": "2025-02-11T11:48:54Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-baf30cc7-88a8-4127-b75e-d4e9e5cb8847",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_470443/1417581",
        "title": "ITT for Item Writing Services Framework for the Standards and Testing Agency",
        "description": "The Department of Education, the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), is inviting potential suppliers to submit their bids for the new 2025-2029 Item Writing Services Framework. As part of the test development process, the STA, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), is seeking to appoint suppliers experienced in item writing to support the development of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. We require a number of suppliers who are capable of understanding the relevant programmes of study, test frameworks, and curricula for particular tests, and developing high-quality test items with accompanying mark schemes and/or coding frames. Successful suppliers will be added to the Item Writing Framework 2025-2029 and will have the opportunity to bid for each call-off from the framework between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2029. Once an organisation has been accepted onto the framework, they will bid for item writing services contracts. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be disseminated to all those on the framework for all work. Each call-off from this framework will provide detailed requirements, including the subject and content domain areas, item types, mark range, difficulty range, and other desired properties. The core requirements for the Item Writing Services Framework include the delivery of the following services in order to support the development of high-quality, accessible, and inclusive items suitable for DfE assessments: Key Stages 1 and 2 English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, English reading, and mathematics. - Item writing - Informal item trialling - Reviewing, refining and amending items - Item classification - Design (items and texts) - Text searching / sourcing (English reading) - Reviewing texts (English reading) - Text selection (English reading)/Context selection (science) - Text trialling (English reading) - Informal item and text trialling (English reading) - Printing to meet handover or trialling requirements - Developing mark schemes - Developing coding frames - Administration/ organisation of various elements The initial framework term will be four years (September 2025 - August 2029). There is an option to extend the framework term for up to 12 months, until August 2030. The maximum value of the framework including the extension will be PS2.5M Additional information: Tender documents can be accessed free of charge via the department's e-procurement portal, Jaggaer, following the expression of interest.",
        "datePublished": "2025-02-11T11:48:54Z",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "80000000",
            "description": "Education and training services"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure (above threshold)",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-04-30T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4a2f555b-ee11-4c11-bd45-5344965ee80e",
                "datePublished": "2025-02-11T11:48:54Z",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "description": "Registration link for Jaggaer e-procurement portal",
                "url": "https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-292513",
            "name": "Department for Education",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Department for Education"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Cheylesmore House, 5 Quinton Rd,",
                "locality": "Coventry",
                "postalCode": "CV1 2WT",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "TendersTD.STA@education.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-292513",
        "name": "Department for Education"
    }
}