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Mystery Shopping Services

BRITISH COUNCIL(THE)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

15 Jul 2026 at 09:31

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Jun 2026 at 16:19

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

23 Apr 2026 at 16:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The British Council has concluded a procurement process titled "Mystery Shopping Services," aimed at enhancing the evaluation of IELTS exams globally, as applied to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) context. This tender, classified under the market research services category, selected LC Investigation Limited and Serve Legal Limited as suppliers. The procurement was conducted using an open competitive flexible procedure. Located primarily in London, the mystery shopping services will cover exam centres worldwide, spanning an initial contract period from 1st July 2026 to 1st July 2028, with possible extensions up to 2030. The procurement phase, from tendering to contract award, is complete, with contracts signed in June 2026.

This procurement presents a substantial opportunity for SMEs, particularly those equipped to provide compliance audits and security evaluation services in the education sector. Firms with the ability to deliver high-quality, competitive-priced market research services, especially those with experience in international standardised testing environments, will thrive in this framework agreement. The British Council's decision to appoint two suppliers with a closed framework underscores the chance for businesses to secure a leading position in delivering critical assessment services, thus fostering potential growth through expanded international engagement and service provision.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Mystery Shopping Services

Notice Description

The Governance & Compliance function seeks to obtain the most effective and efficient Mystery Shopper services provider to delivery Mystery Shopping Services (compliance audits) of all British Council IELTS for United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) global network of exam centres. The programme is intended to measure the experience and security when applying for, registering, and attending an IELTS written and speaking test.

Lot Information

Region 1

Renewal: optional 2x12 months extensions

Region 2

Mystery Shopping Services for countries under Region 2

Renewal: optional 2x12 months extensions

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0689fe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066563-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£220,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£220,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 1 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BRITISH COUNCIL(THE)
Additional Buyers

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
Postcode Area
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
2
Supplier Names

LC INVESTIGATION LIMITED

Serve Legal Limited

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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