Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
G2 8EA
Contact
Marc Jones
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
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
EAS-Education Reform Monitoring & Evaluation Strategy
Reference number
745992
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73110000 - Research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Scottish Government has a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the provision of EAS-Education Reform Monitoring & Evaluation Strategy.
The Scottish Government, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, wishes to commission work to inform the development of a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the Education Reform Programme.
The Scottish Government is undertaking an ambitious programme of education reform which has been informed by the findings from the review of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) conducted in 2021 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), titled “Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Into the Future”. While it highlighted the continued relevance and ambition of CFE as the right approach for Scotland, it also pointed to the need for Scotland to adopt a planned and systematic approach to curriculum review and implementation, and enhance the coherence of the policy environment that surrounds CfE.
The aims of this project are to:
1. evaluate the practical considerations for implementing a meaningful evaluation, including data quality and availability, stakeholder engagement, and systemic readiness
2. define the critical questions that will guide the monitoring and evaluation of the reforms, ensuring alignment with existing and new data sources and evidence
3. propose a structured approach to systematically monitor progress and assess the impact of the reforms over time
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: £125,396.25
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 79310000 - Market research services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Scottish Government, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, wishes to commission work to inform the development of a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the Education Reform Programme.
The Scottish Government is undertaking an ambitious programme of education reform which has been informed by the findings from the review of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) conducted in 2021 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), titled “Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: Into the Future”. While it highlighted the continued relevance and ambition of CFE as the right approach for Scotland, it also pointed to the need for Scotland to adopt a planned and systematic approach to curriculum review and implementation, and enhance the coherence of the policy environment that surrounds CfE.
Following the publication of the OECD report in autumn 2021, the then Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, commissioned Professor Ken Muir to provide independent advice on the OECD’s recommendations. This advice focused on the recommendations for structural and functional change to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland, including the delivery of the national curriculum, assessment, qualification and inspection functions, recognising the wider functions of both these bodies. The Cabinet Secretary also announced an Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment (IRQA), led by Professor Louise Hayward, to look at ways in which the senior phase of qualifications in schools, colleges and wider educational settings could be improved.
Professor Muir advocated for placing children, young people and the teachers and practitioners who support their learning more firmly at the heart of the education system. To support these system users he set out recommendations to simplify the education landscape and ensure greater clarity as to the roles and functions of key national bodies. Published in March 2022, Professor Muir’s report formed the basis for the changes we are now taking forward.
In response to the Professor Muir’s report, the Scottish Government committed to facilitating a national discussion on the vision for the future of Scottish education. The National Discussion was co-convened by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and it was independently facilitated. The final report from the National Discussion established the following three guiding values for education in Scotland: the Scottish education system should be ambitious, inclusive, and supportive.
The final report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment in Scotland was published in June 2023. It set out recommendations for a new approach to qualifications and assessment. In September 2024 the Scottish Government set out our response to the IRQA recommendations.
The aims of this project are to:
1. evaluate the practical considerations for implementing a meaningful evaluation, including data quality and availability, stakeholder engagement, and systemic readiness
2. define the critical questions that will guide the monitoring and evaluation of the reforms, ensuring alignment with existing and new data sources and evidence
3. propose a structured approach to systematically monitor progress and assess the impact of the reforms over time
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
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: 2025/S 000-001160
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
745992
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 April 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 2
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
WPI Economics
5-6 St Matthew Street
London
SW1P2JT
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £125,396.25
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:798397)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Country
United Kingdom