Scope
Description
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), is reviewing options for the future procurement of a Home Office English Language Test (HOELT), to be delivered in the UK and internationally.
Some immigration routes require applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. The HOELT will assess speaking, listening, and, where applicable, reading and writing skills between CEFR levels A1 and C1.
UKVI intends to procure a dedicated, Home Office-branded test with two core elements:
1. Test Provision
The supplier will be responsible for:
• Developing, maintaining, and updating the test content
• Providing a secure test delivery system
• Marking tests, returning verified results, and conducting post-test verification
• Evaluating and moderating test performance
• Performing robust anti-fraud checks
• Securing independent assurance of test quality and integrity
2. Test Facilitation
The supplier will be responsible for:
• Operating an online platform for test booking and result delivery
• Establishing and managing global test centres
• Providing trained invigilators
• Conducting secure ID verification and ensuring strict exam conditions
• Supporting audit processes to uphold security and delivery standards
Please note: The estimated contract value has been updated from the £1,130,000,000 included in the previously published PIN. This is a result of internal Should Cost Modelling exercises based on the latest data, and the ongoing refinement of requirements.
Total value (estimated)
- £680,000,000 excluding VAT
- £816,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 August 2026 to 3 August 2031
- Possible extension to 3 August 2034
- 8 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75131100 - General personnel services for the government
- 48190000 - Educational software package
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72212190 - Educational software development services
- 75110000 - General public services
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Contract locations
- BD - Bangladesh
- CN - China
- GH - Ghana
- IN - India
- NG - Nigeria
- PH - Philippines
- PK - Pakistan
- SA - Saudi Arabia
- ZA - South Africa
- ZW - Zimbabwe
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
8 May 2025
Engagement process description
This notice relates to a third round of market engagement in relation to this opportunity. The primary purpose of the engagement is to:
• Update the market on the target date for Tender Publication; and
• Confirm the level of interest in the delivery of the Service under a single Contract.
1. To express an interest, participants must first be registered on the Home Office's eSourcing Portal (JAGGAER). If you have not yet registered, this can be done online at https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html by following the Register Here Link.
2. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering and who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so.
3. Registering on Jaggaer will not provide immediate access to the third round RFI. Once you have registered on JAGGAER, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing HOELT2024@homeoffice.gov.uk as below:
Email subject line: HOELT Procurement - Expression of Interest
Email to include: Organisation name (as registered on JAGGAER),
Contact name, E-mail address and telephone number.
4. Once the above steps are completed, participants will be granted access to the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) event in JAGGAER.
5. Participants should then complete and return their signed NDA, via JAGGAER, in order to be added to the RFI event which is open until 08/05/25.
6. Participants should ensure that they leave enough time to submit your NDA and your RFI responses in time for close date of 08/05/25.
Please note: if you have previously signed an NDA for RFI1 or RFI2 Market Engagement you are still required to sign a new NDA and follow the process above. The new NDA will cover RFI3 and the procurement process itself. Once you have completed the process above, you will be added to the RFI once it is live from 10/04/25.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 August 2025
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government