Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
4 Atlantic Quay, 70 York St
Glasgow
G2 8EA
Contact
Jonathan Nicolson
Telephone
+44 1412420133
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
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
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
Reference number
737511
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73110000 - Research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) is preparing for the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2027, which will mark the ninth cycle of this international assessment. TIMSS, conducted every four years since its inception in 1995, provides invaluable trend data on pupils' mathematics and science achievements, as well as contextual information about their learning experiences.
Scotland has confirmed its participation in TIMSS 2027. The TIMSS International Study Centre (ISC) at Boston College, USA, will serve as the international study centre for this cycle, working closely with the IEA and the National Study Centres of participating countries to ensure the study's success. Each participating country is responsible for appointing a National Research Coordinator (NRC). The NRC plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of the study within their country by working closely with the ISC and adhering to its guidelines.
This Scottish Government wish to appoint a suitably qualified institution or organisation to undertake the responsibilities of the NRC and conduct the required fieldwork for TIMSS 2027 in Scotland.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £947,847.76
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The specific aims of the work will be to:
Act as National Research Coordinator (NRC) for Scotland: Serve as the primary liaison between Scotland and the TIMSS International Study Centre (ISC) at Boston College, IEA Amsterdam, IEA Hamburg, and RTI International.
Participate in International NRC Meetings: Engage in international NRC meetings conducted in English to collaborate on study protocols and procedures.
Prepare and Administer TIMSS 2027 Assessments for P5 and S2: Ensure that the TIMSS 2027 study instruments are prepared and administered according to IEA specifications and strict operational and response rate requirements, while aligning with Scottish Government research guidelines.
Manage Sampling, Data Collection, and Data Processing: Oversee the sampling, data collection, coding, and data cleansing processes for TIMSS 2027 in Scotland.
Provide Cleaned Data Sets: Deliver cleaned electronic data sets from TIMSS 2027 field trials and main studies to the ISC and the Scottish Government.
Contribute to the TIMSS 2027 Encyclopaedia: Prepare and submit a country chapter detailing Scotland’s educational context and practices.
Submit Reports to the Scottish Government: Provide one report on the TIMSS 2027 field trials and one on the main studies to the Scottish Government.
The contract does not include delivering Scotland’s national report as this will either be prepared by Scottish Government or commissioned to a service provider under a separate contract at a later date.
Tenderers are encouraged to propose cost-effective solutions that optimise the the available budget, focusing on efficient management of expenses, overheads, and profit to ensure successful delivery. While bids should generally align with this budget, some flexibility is expected where necessary, and the Scottish Government reserves the right to clarify any aspects of a price proposal.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery and Approach / Weighting: 30%
Quality criterion - Name: Project and Quality Management / Weighting: 20%
Quality criterion - Name: Staff, Skills and Resource / Weighting: 30%
Quality criterion - Name: Climate Emergency / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery / Weighting: 5%
Price - Weighting: 40
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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 four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open 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: 2024/S 000-033332
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
737511
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24 January 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Pearson Education Limited
80 Strand
London
WC2R 0BP
Telephone
+44 7769961544
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £947,847.76
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:789220)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
27 Chamber Street
Edinburgh
EH11LB
Country
United Kingdom