--- title: "Computer Based Skills Testing" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2018-01-10" --- # Computer Based Skills Testing Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a "Computer Based Skills Testing" service aimed at supporting the Professional Skills Test for prospective teachers. This initiative is crucial as it seeks to deliver an accessible testing service across a network of approximately 50 centres within the UK, as well as potentially abroad. Key dates include an engagement end date set for 26 October 2017, with a significant estimated value of around £3 million per year over three years, with options to extend for up to two additional years. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in test delivery services, educational technology, and assessment solutions. Companies with experience in developing online management systems, secure data transfer, and user support for educational assessments would be particularly well-placed to compete for this contract. The inclusion of requirements for practice tests and a candidate management system suggests a need for innovative solutions that enhance user experience and efficiency in the testing process. ## Notice See 'Attachments' for a Word version. The Standards and Testing Agency wish to procure a Test Delivery Service and associated development processes to support the Professional Skills Test for Prospective Teachers. The Service will incorporate delivering the Skills Test, supporting the development of test content and analysing and delivering reports required by the Department for Education and other external stakeholders. The Standards and Testing Agency is responsible for the delivery of the Professional Skills Tests for Prospective Teachers on behalf of the Department for Education. The Tests play a vital role in ensuring the Government's commitment to the recruitment of capable high quality Teachers and they are required to be accessible to Prospective Teachers on a continual basis. The requirement is for a computer based testing service delivered across a network of test centres across the United Kingdom (currently 50, mainly in England but with testing also taking place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and potentially abroad. Regionally based testing centres across the UK will be required. The solution must include an online candidate management system for prospective teachers to book and pay for tests and a telephone enquiry line to support those prospective teachers requiring special arrangements. The solution should also include a results supply system that prospective teachers and Initial Teacher Training providers can access to check exam results. Also required is a process for user acceptance testing for all solutions. Additionally, systems for providing secure transfer of test data and reporting as well as hosting practice tests, both online and downloadable, will need to be delivered. Test and item management processes will be required along with the ability to migrate all test content, results and records, practice tests and other non-live tests using industry standard formats. Additional information: This notice is for information only, and the Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not award contract(s). Accordingly, the Authority will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by a supplier in acting on the basis of this Prior Information Notice. There is an incumbent contract and TUPE Regulations may apply. All future information will be issued to potential suppliers via the Bravo Solutions e-procurement platform. Suppliers can access this system at https://education.bravosolutions.co.uk where the details of how to register and the terms of free registration are presented. Any questions about the proposed procurement can be submitted to the following e-mail address; Skills.TESTS@education.gov.uk Potential suppliers are advised to familiarise themselves with the Government's Data Security and Off-shoring policies. Estimated value: Circa PS3m per year (3 years with option to extend for 1 year and further 1 year). ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f952943-a18b-4f77-bf53-987e998ebce8 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 10 Jan 2018 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 26 Oct 2017 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79635000 - Assessment centre services for recruitment ## Release History - 10 Jan 2018 at 10:22 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f952943-a18b-4f77-bf53-987e998ebce8 - 5 Sep 2017 at 08:57 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f952943-a18b-4f77-bf53-987e998ebce8 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f952943-a18b-4f77-bf53-987e998ebce8 10th January 2018 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/51e8ad74-0134-4597-8db5-9ff8bd7633de Description and additional information - https://ogsirooffshoring.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203107991-HMG-s-Offshoring-Policy Government's off-shoring policy - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-policy-framework/hmg-security-policy-framework Government's data security policy ## Notice URLs - https://education.bravosolutions.co.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-43c26245-808d-48e2-b9ed-5f92ad6be35e.json.