Tender

Mystery Shopping Services

BRITISH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Apr 2026 at 15:22

Summary of the contracting process

The British Council has issued a tender for Mystery Shopping Services, focusing on enhancing user experience and security across the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The tender falls under the category of market research services and targets assessments for both written and speaking tests. The buyer, a public authority within sub-central government, is seeking proposals from suppliers through a competitive flexible procedure. The tender process comprises multiple stages, including an initial tender phase, supplier clarification sessions, and a Best and Final Tender stage. Key deadlines include the close of the enquiry period on 5th May 2026, submission by 18th May 2026, and award notification by 3rd June 2026. Based in London, the council offers an extensive contract period from July 2026 to June 2028, with potential extensions until 2030.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in market research services to collaborate with the British Council in evaluating the IELTS programme. Ideal candidates are organisations skilled in providing detailed assessments of user experience and security, with capabilities in flexible procurement processes. With a contract value of £440,000, divided equally across two regions, the procurement invites robust submissions focusing on social value, quality, methodology, and competitive pricing. Successful bidders can expect to benefit from long-term association with the British Council, given the optional extensions that may extend cooperation until 2030. Companies experienced in international operations and offering comprehensive evaluation services are ideally placed to compete for this opportunity.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Mystery Shopping Services

Notice Description

The British Council Governance & Compliance function seeks to obtain the most effective and efficient Mystery Shopper services provider.The Mystery Shopping programme aims to evaluate both user experience and security across the registration, application, and test-attendance stages of the International English Language Testing System,IELTS, written and speaking tests.

Lot Information

Region 1

Mystery Shopping Services for countries under Region 1

Renewal: optional 2x12 months extensions

Region 2

Mystery Shopping Services for countries under Region 2

Renewal: optional 2x12 months extensions

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0689fe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037258-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible 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

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£440,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£440,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
18 May 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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