Award

Framework Agreement for English Proficiency Test in Middle East and Africa

BRITISH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

26 Feb 2026 at 17:38

Tender

19 Nov 2025 at 11:57

Summary of the contracting process

The British Council is managing a procurement process for a "Framework Agreement for English Proficiency Test in Middle East and Africa" to provide English placement and proficiency tests aligning with UK standards and the CEFR. This tender pertains to the services category and follows an open procedure for procurement. The contract was awarded on 26th February 2026, valued at approximately £500,000, with the contract period commencing on 22nd March 2026 and ending on 23rd March 2028, with potential extensions available. The buying organisation is situated in London, UK, and has engaged service providers for this initiative, including BC EnglishScore Limited, OIDI Ltd, and Kaplan UK Limited. The procurement aimed to support the English skills of programme participants across the region, with the award being completed and the next milestone involving contract signature due by 20th March 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in e-learning services, particularly those with experience in delivering language proficiency assessments. The framework agreement offers a platform for service providers to engage in mini competitions for supplying English proficiency tests whenever needed. SMEs may find this tender particularly advantageous, given the active participation of smaller entities alongside larger companies like Kaplan UK Limited. Businesses offering innovative, consistent, and reliable assessments consistent with educational standards could benefit from this collaboration with the British Council, leveraging it as a means for market expansion within the Middle Eastern and African educational sectors. Participating providers will potentially have opportunities for contract renewal and additional service provisions through competitions tailored to emergent requirements in the duration of the framework agreement.

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Notice Title

Framework Agreement for English Proficiency Test in Middle East and Africa

Notice Description

The British Council in the Middle East and Africa is looking to work with experienced service providers to deliver online English placement and proficiency tests These tests will play an important role in helping us understand and support the English language skills of participants across our programmes in the region We are looking for tests aligned with UK standards and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR ensuring they are consistent reliable and meaningful for all learners Providers appointed under the framework agreements will have the opportunity to participate in mini competitions whenever tests are required

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract awarded will be for a duration of 24 months with an option for an extension for up to an additional two periods of 12 months

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e440
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017605-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80420000 - E-learning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£214,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£214,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
22 Mar 2026 - 23 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BRITISH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JQ
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

BC ENGLISHSCORE

KAPLAN

OIDI

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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