Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
Earlsdon Park, 53-55 Butts Rd
Coventry
CV1 3BH
Telephone
+44 2476716830
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKG33 - Coventry
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA29088
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
National Reference Tests from 2025
Reference number
OF923
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80200000 - Secondary education services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
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.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £14,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80200000 - Secondary education services
- 73430000 - Test and evaluation
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG33 - Coventry
Main site or place of performance
Coventry
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
See II.1.4. For further information please refer to the attached Services Description document
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £14,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 August 2023
End date
31 August 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
A maximum of 3 x 12 month optional extension periods, subject to Supplier agreement
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
Information obtained from response to published PIN 2022/S 000-017848.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of 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.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
As stated in the Procurement documents.
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
To be included in the Invitation to Tender
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2022/S 000-017848
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
24 February 2023
Local time
5:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
8 March 2023
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
This selection exercise is drafted on the basis of a Contract that will include ongoing strategic development and delivery of the National Reference Tests on an annual basis up to and including the Tests in 2029; the contract may be extended at Ofqual's discretion for any period up to a maximum of 3 years to include the delivery of the Tests in 2030, 2031 and 2032. Following discussions with the market and having carefully considered the risks to stability in test results of awarding elements of the service to different suppliers Ofqual would like to appoint a single supplier to provide all of the NRT services. Interested parties may cooperate with other organisations where this enables them to meet the requirement by sub-contractual or consortia arrangements. Further information is included in the attached Procurement Policy Note 8/16 Standard Selection Questionnaire template and guidance document.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the myTenders Web Site at https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=227493.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.mytenders.co.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(MT Ref:227493)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Service
Cabinet Office
London
publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3450103503
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit