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Delivery of National Reference Tests from 2025

Ofqual

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2024 at 13:25

Award Notice
Tender

24 Jan 2023 at 14:04

Tender Notice
Planning

30 Jun 2022 at 10:15

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ofqual has awarded a public procurement contract for the delivery of National Reference Tests (NRT) in England. This contract, awarded to The National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales, encompasses the ongoing strategic development and delivery of the tests from 2025 to 2029, with the possibility of extensions through to 2032, based in Coventry, UK (UKG33). The process utilised a restricted procurement method with suppliers shortlisted through a public contract regulations competition. The tender focused on secondary education services and falls under the 'services' category. The contract is valued at approximately £12,998,997 GBP and was signed on 28th June 2024.

This contract presents several opportunities for businesses in the education and research sectors, particularly those offering strategic development and testing services. Companies with the capacity to manage large-scale educational assessments and those that can offer innovative testing solutions will find this contract advantageous. Businesses skilled in delivering educational services, especially within a secondary education context, and capable of working under restricted procurement procedures will be well-suited to compete for such opportunities, promoting business growth and establishing credibility by fulfilling high-profile public education projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Delivery of National Reference Tests from 2025

Notice Description

To provide the National Reference Tests (NRT) in England on behalf of Ofqual. The National Reference Tests provide evidence for Ofqual on changes in performance standards over time in GCSE English Language and Mathematics in England at the end of Key Stage 4.

Lot Information

National Reference Tests provider - lots

See description of lot 1 regarding consideratoin of awarding work as multiple lots.

National Reference Tests provider

In June 2022, Ofqual published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) advising the market of the intent to procure a supplier of the National Reference Tests for the 2025 to 2029 test years, with an option to extend the contract up to 3 further years. A public contract regulations restricted competition procurement process was used. Possible suppliers were shortlisted at stage 1 and only those which showed relevant skills and sufficient experience were invited to tender. At the second stage, suppliers proposed their solution to the stated need and bids were evaluated against Authority requirements using the weightings and scoring guide disclosed in the invitation to tender. The contract was awarded to the supplier who submitted the solution with the highest overall score. Additional information: This procurement is exempt from VAT

Options: Following the initial contract period, and subject to minimum notice being provided as per contract, the Buyer may choose to extend the contract by 3 x 12 month periods, reviewed annually and subject to Supplier agreement via the agreed change/variation process.

Renewal: A maximum of 3 x 12 month optional extension periods, subject to Supplier agreement

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023023-2024
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80200000 - Secondary education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£14,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£14,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£12,998,997 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
24 Feb 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
14 Jun 2023Expired
Award Date
28 Jun 20242 years ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled, Planned
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ofqual
Additional Buyers

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV1 2GN
Postcode Area
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
TLG33 Coventry
Local Authority
Coventry
Electoral Ward
St Michael's
Westminster Constituency
Coventry South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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.

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