---
title: "Delivery of National Reference Tests from 2025"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "OFQUAL"
published: "2024-07-24"
---

# Delivery of National Reference Tests from 2025

Buyer: OFQUAL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e

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## Summary

Ofqual has awarded a public procurement contract for the delivery of National Reference Tests (NRT) in England. This contract, awarded to The National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales, encompasses the ongoing strategic development and delivery of the tests from 2025 to 2029, with the possibility of extensions through to 2032, based in Coventry, UK (UKG33). The process utilised a restricted procurement method with suppliers shortlisted through a public contract regulations competition. The tender focused on secondary education services and falls under the 'services' category. The contract is valued at approximately £12,998,997 GBP and was signed on 28th June 2024.

This contract presents several opportunities for businesses in the education and research sectors, particularly those offering strategic development and testing services. Companies with the capacity to manage large-scale educational assessments and those that can offer innovative testing solutions will find this contract advantageous. Businesses skilled in delivering educational services, especially within a secondary education context, and capable of working under restricted procurement procedures will be well-suited to compete for such opportunities, promoting business growth and establishing credibility by fulfilling high-profile public education projects.

## Notice

To provide the National Reference Tests (NRT) in England on behalf of Ofqual. The National Reference Tests provide evidence for Ofqual on changes in performance standards over time in GCSE English Language and Mathematics in England at the end of Key Stage 4.

### Lot Information

National Reference Tests provider - lots

See description of lot 1 regarding consideratoin of awarding work as multiple lots.

National Reference Tests provider

In June 2022, Ofqual published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) advising the market of the intent to procure a supplier of the National Reference Tests for the 2025 to 2029 test years, with an option to extend the contract up to 3 further years. A public contract regulations restricted competition procurement process was used. Possible suppliers were shortlisted at stage 1 and only those which showed relevant skills and sufficient experience were invited to tender. At the second stage, suppliers proposed their solution to the stated need and bids were evaluated against Authority requirements using the weightings and scoring guide disclosed in the invitation to tender. The contract was awarded to the supplier who submitted the solution with the highest overall score. Additional information: This procurement is exempt from VAT

Options: Following the initial contract period, and subject to minimum notice being provided as per contract, the Buyer may choose to extend the contract by 3 x 12 month periods, reviewed annually and subject to Supplier agreement via the agreed change/variation process.

Renewal: A maximum of 3 x 12 month optional extension periods, subject to Supplier agreement

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023023-2024 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Jul 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Feb 2023 |
| Future notice date | 13 Jun 2023 |
| Award date | 27 Jun 2024 |
| Contract period | 31 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £14,000,000 |
| Lots value | £14,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £12,998,997 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled, Planned |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | OFQUAL |
| Additional buyers | OFFICE OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS REGULATION (OFQUAL) |
| Locality | COVENTRY |
| Post town | Coventry |
| Postcode | CV1 3BH |
| 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 | TLG West Midlands (England), TLG33 Coventry |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IN ENGLAND AND WALES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80200000 - Secondary education services

## Release History

- 24 Jul 2024 at 12:25 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023023-2024
- 24 Jan 2023 at 14:04 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002162-2023
- 30 Jun 2022 at 09:15 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017848-2022

## Notice URLs

- http://ofqual.gov.uk
- http://www.mytenders.co.uk
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit
- https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA29088

## 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-h6vhtk-034c5e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e.json.