Planning

National Reference Tests (NRT)

  • Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-017848

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-034c5e

Published 30 June 2022, 10:15am



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

Contact

Adrian Higginbotham

Email

procurement@ofqual.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKG33 - Coventry

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://ofqual.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA29088

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

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 (NRT)

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.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £10,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:

Ofqual is open to the possibility of awarding the contract to a single supplier/consortium, or on the basis of multiple lots.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Reference Tests provider - lots

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80200000 - Secondary education services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

UKG

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

National Reference Tests provider

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73430000 - Test and evaluation
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG - West Midlands (England)
Main site or place of performance

England

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

To provide Ofqual with the National Reference tests (NRT) as described in the document at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/844389/NRT_2019_General_Report_background_-_FINAL196527.pdf from the 2025 test year for a number of years which is to be decided and to explore uses of technology in assessment as set out in the Ofqual corporate plan 202225.

(See Section II.1.6 for information about the lot structure).

two.2.14) Additional information

Further information about the NRT can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-reference-test-information

The estimated value of 10m GBP is based on delivering the NRT for 5 years from 2025.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

14 June 2023


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Ofqual welcomes discussion with organisations interested in being invited to tender to provide the NRT or part(s) there of. The expected start date of the contract is July 2023. This allows for managed transition between suppliers if applicable. It is expected that a supplier qualification exercise will take place in October and invitations to tender be issued in January 2023.

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=226560.

(MT Ref:226560)