---
title: "ITT for Lot 13 - Quality Assurance Proof Readers (a new Lot under the DfE's ECSC Framework )"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e14bc376-242e-4f1b-850d-136d4bcd4201"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e14bc376-242e-4f1b-850d-136d4bcd4201"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e14bc376-242e-4f1b-850d-136d4bcd4201.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e14bc376-242e-4f1b-850d-136d4bcd4201.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION"
published: "2026-02-03"
---

# ITT for Lot 13 - Quality Assurance Proof Readers (a new Lot under the DfE's ECSC Framework )

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e14bc376-242e-4f1b-850d-136d4bcd4201

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## Summary

The procurement process initiated by the Department for Education pertains to the tender titled "ITT for Lot 13 - Quality Assurance Proof Readers," introduced under the Educational and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Framework. This tender, published on 2nd February 2026, focuses on acquiring quality assurance proof readers for the Standards and Testing Agency (STA). The procurement falls under the education and training services category with regions of delivery specified across the United Kingdom, including London, Midlands, and South East. The timeline for submission is set to conclude on 13th March 2026, with the contract period running from 15th June 2026 to 28th February 2029. Currently, the tender is at the 'tender amendment' stage and follows an 'Other - Open - Light Touch Procedure' method, ensuring a competitive framework.

This procurement provides substantial opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) to participate, especially those specialising in educational quality assurance services. By engaging in this tender, businesses can expand their portfolio in providing proofreading services to ensure the high quality of national curriculum assessments, including key stage 1 and key stage 2 tests. The dynamic nature of the ECSC Framework allows successful suppliers the possibility of influencing ongoing educational service standards and gaining long-term contracts with the Department for Education. Given the potential scope changes due to government policy adjustments, adaptable businesses with proven expertise in educational assessment will be well-suited to compete.

## Notice

The Invitation to Tender (ITT) has been issued by the Department of Education and Standards and Testing Agency (STA) in connection with a competitive procurement exercise under the Educational and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Framework. The Educational and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Framework, established on 1 February 2025, is the Department for Education's primary route for procuring specialist and advisory services. It runs for four years, with an option to extend by two, ending no later than 1 February 2031. The framework is dynamic, allowing lots to be reopened and new lots added as needed to the framework. In line with this flexibility, the Department is reopening the framework and adding Lot 13: Quality Assurance Proof Readers The purpose of this procurement is to acquire resource to support Quality Assurance processes within STA in relation to the tests that STA are responsible for developing. STA is looking to procure a pool of proofers to quality assure key stage 1 and key stage 2 national curriculum tests and reception baseline assessment to ensure that these tests are accurate and of high quality. The national curriculum tests include the year 1 phonics screening check, English grammar, punctuation and spelling (key stage 1 and key stage 2), English reading (key stage 1 and key stage 2), mathematics (key stage 1 and key stage 2), and the year 4 multiplication tables check (MTC). Government policy changes may bring other assessments within scope of any contracts awarded to successful suppliers.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bde5a07a-b450-4775-a5ba-7371faf1eecb |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Other - Open - Light Touch Procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 28 Feb 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 | Active |
| 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 | 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) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 3 Feb 2026 at 12:39 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bde5a07a-b450-4775-a5ba-7371faf1eecb
- 2 Feb 2026 at 15:58 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bde5a07a-b450-4775-a5ba-7371faf1eecb

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bde5a07a-b450-4775-a5ba-7371faf1eecb
  3rd February 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
  Jaggaer e-procurement portal LINK:
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/29d741c0-8261-41bc-8896-a885c352cb52
  n/a

## Provenance

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