Award

Exam Boards

DUDLEY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2025 at 13:30

Summary of the contracting process

Dudley College of Technology has completed the procurement process for providing regulated qualifications and assessments with approved exam boards including Pearson Edexcel, AQA, City & Guilds, and NCFE. This process, described as a direct award, was justified under the Procurement Act 2023, allowing the College to bypass a competitive tender due to technical and educational requirements, ensuring continuity in curriculum delivery. The contract, valued between £5 and £6 million, spans three years beginning 1st September 2025, with an optional extension of one year. The procurement falls under the education and training services category, impacting several regions across the United Kingdom.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for large educational service providers who specialise in examination services, particularly those with existing infrastructure to meet Dudley College's stringent curriculum requirements. Businesses involved in educational support services, such as curriculum alignment and quality assurance, would be well-suited to compete in similar direct award scenarios, focusing on technical expertise and regulatory compliance to leverage growth opportunities. The direct procurement method ensures a streamlined process for businesses with niche capabilities, fostering partnerships with public authorities like Dudley College.

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Notice Title

Exam Boards

Notice Description

Subject of the Contract: Provision of regulated qualifications and assessments from specified awarding bodies. Description of the Contract: Dudley College intends to directly award contracts for the provision of qualifications and assessments to a defined list of approved exam boards. These include: * Pearson Edexcel * AQA * City & Guilds * NCFE This decision is based on curriculum alignment, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. No competitive tendering procedure will be undertaken for this procurement. Justification for Direct Award: Under Section 41 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, Dudley College is permitted to make a direct award where: * The goods or services can only be supplied by a particular supplier due to technical or educational requirements. * The contract value and nature do not warrant a competitive procedure. * The decision supports continuity and consistency in curriculum delivery. Estimated Contract Value: PS5-PS6 million. Contract Duration: 3 years with optional 1-year extension

Procurement Information

Under Section 41 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, Dudley College is permitted to make a direct award where: * The goods or services can only be supplied by a particular supplier due to technical or educational requirements. * The contract value and nature do not warrant a competitive procedure. * The decision supports continuity and consistency in curriculum delivery.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0581a0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046173-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Aug 20256 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DUDLEY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
finance@dudleycol.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DUDLEY
Postcode
DY1 4AS
Post Town
Dudley
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG36 Dudley
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Dudley
Electoral Ward
Castle & Priory
Westminster Constituency
Dudley

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

AQA

CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE

NCFE

PEARSON EDUCATION

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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