Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ofqual
Floor 2, Friargate, One Station Square
Coventry
CV1 2GN
Contact
David Thomas
Telephone
+44 7946672370
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.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Delivery of 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.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £12,998,997
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80200000 - Secondary education services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG33 - Coventry
Main site or place of performance
Coventry
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
In June 2022, Ofqual published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) advising the market of the intent to procure a supplier of the National Reference Tests for the 2025 to 2029 test years, with an option to extend the contract up to 3 further years. A public contract regulations restricted competition procurement process was used. Possible suppliers were shortlisted at stage 1 and only those which showed relevant skills and sufficient experience were invited to tender. At the second stage, suppliers proposed their solution to the stated need and bids were evaluated against Authority requirements using the weightings and scoring guide disclosed in the invitation to tender. The contract was awarded to the supplier who submitted the solution with the highest overall score.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Method statements / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
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
two.2.14) Additional information
This procurement is exempt from VAT
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: 2023/S 000-002162
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
OF923
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
28 June 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
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: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales
The Mere, Upton Park
Slough
SL1 2DQ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG33 - Coventry
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £12,998,997
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This procurement is VAT exempt.
This Contract 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.
(MT Ref:232365)
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