Award

Question Paper Printing & Collation

SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

11 Nov 2025 at 16:20

TenderUpdate

11 Nov 2025 at 13:36

Tender

27 Oct 2025 at 16:45

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) initiated a public procurement process titled "Question Paper Printing & Collation". This procurement, classified under printing services (CPV code 79810000), was initially planned to be divided into three lots. These included the printing of question papers, printing of maps, and the collation of examination materials, with a projected contract value of GBP 450,000. An open procedure was chosen as the procurement method. Initially set to close on 3rd December 2025, the response deadline was later extended to 14th January 2026. However, subsequent developments have led to the cancellation of all contracts related to this process.

This procurement presents opportunities for businesses specialising in printing and examination material services. Companies with expertise in secure and confidential handling of educational materials, such as question papers and supplementary documents, would find this tender particularly relevant. Suppliers with capabilities for large-scale printing and logistics could benefit significantly. Although the initial procurement process was discontinued, there remains potential for similar future opportunities that firms in related industries can monitor through platforms like Public Contracts Scotland. Additionally, organisations willing to engage electronically and understand open procurement processes are well-suited to compete in similar tenders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Question Paper Printing & Collation

Notice Description

This contract shall be split into Lots and awarded as follows: Lot 1 - Printing of Question Papers - awarded to 2 suppliers Lot 2 - Printing of Maps - awarded to a single suppler Lot 3 - Collation of examination materials for onward dispatch - awarded to a single supplier

Lot Information

Printing of Maps

SQA wishes to appoint a single supplier to meet its requirements for printing and packing of map extracts from Ordnance Survey data files. The contracted supplier will also be allocated the Geography questions papers to print.

Renewal: 12 months

Collation of Examination Materials

SQA wishes to appoint a single supplier to carry out the picking and collation of confidential examination materials in preparation for onward delivery to examination centres. The requirements for Lot 3 include the picking of packeted question papers, paper specific answer booklets (known hereafter as PSABs), digital question papers CDs (known hereafter as DQPs) and CDs.

Renewal: 12 months

Printing of Question Papers

SQA wishes to appoint TWO suppliers to meet its requirements for printing and packing of confidential examination materials. The requirements for Lot 1 include: question papers, paper specific answer booklets (known hereafter as PSABs) and other supplementary printed examination materials.

Renewal: October 2029

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d49d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072947-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79810000 - Printing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Nov 20253 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
3 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Nov 20253 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Cancelled
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@sqa.org.uk
Contact Phone
+44 03452136720

Buyer Location

Locality
MIDLOTHIAN
Postcode
EH22 1FD
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM11 East Lothian and Midlothian
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Midlothian
Electoral Ward
Dalkeith
Westminster Constituency
Midlothian

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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