---
title: "Item Writing Services Framework for the Standards and Testing Agency"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION"
published: "2025-10-01"
---

# Item Writing Services Framework for the Standards and Testing Agency

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1.json)

## Summary

The Department for Education has successfully concluded an open procurement process for the Item Writing Services Framework, awarding contracts to Pearson Education Limited, National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), and ACER International (UK). The framework, classified under the education and training services category, will cover regions across the United Kingdom including the North East, North West, and London. The initial framework term is three years, starting from 1st September 2025, with an optional extension of an additional 12 months, and the entire framework could reach a maximum value of £2,500,000. The procurement adhered to the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015, and further contracts will be awarded through call-offs, allowing competitive bids from the three framework suppliers.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the educational services sector, particularly those specialising in training and assessment solutions. Given the SME-friendly nature of the procurement and the extensive regional delivery areas, this framework is well-suited for both large organisations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand their operations within the UK education sector. With potential contract extensions and further opportunities through call-offs, participating companies can secure a sustained stream of projects, fostering business growth and development in the market.

## Notice

Following the completion of the procurement process, the Department for Education has awarded framework contracts to three suppliers under the Item Writing Service Framework: ACER International (UK) NFER Pearson Education Limited The initial term of the framework is three years, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months. The maximum value of the framework, including the extension period, is PS2,500,000. The value of each call off will vary. Future work will be awarded through call-offs, which will be conducted via further competition. All three framework suppliers will be invited to submit bids for each opportunity. The framework procurement was carried out in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015, and all subsequent call-off contracts will also fall under PCR 2015.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/33929d22-1412-4bf7-baa2-0426ed2c33c0 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 30 Apr 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2029 |
| 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 | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION |
| Locality | COVENTRY |
| Post town | Coventry |
| Postcode | CV1 2WT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG33 Coventry |
| Local authority | Coventry |
| Electoral ward | St Michael's |
| Westminster constituency | Coventry South |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | ACER INTERNATIONAL UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED (ACER; NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH; PEARSON EDUCATION |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 1 Oct 2025 at 15:20 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/33929d22-1412-4bf7-baa2-0426ed2c33c0

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/33929d22-1412-4bf7-baa2-0426ed2c33c0
  1st October 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d8c41dde-404a-4dbb-a8f2-e11c3d2e95c1.json.