Scope
Reference
ID 5967233
Description
The Department of Education is responsible, under statute, for the provision of education for the children and young people of Northern Ireland and to promote the education system of Northern Ireland needs. The Department commissions evidence-based research including a number of international large-scale assessments of education systems. One such assessment is the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). TIMSS is a world-wide comparative study of the attainment in mathematics and science of pupils aged 9/10 years; primary year six in Northern Ireland.
TIMSS is managed internationally by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). To deliver the study in participating countries the IEA, under the conditions of their agreement, require each country to employ the services of a National Study Centre (NSC), this centre is to be led by a National Research Coordinator (NRC). The NSC will be responsible for the delivery of the TIMSS 2027 nationally. The Department therefore wishes to appoint a contractor for the provision of a NSC as well as a NRC to deliver TIMSS 2027 in Northern Ireland.
The new contract will commence for the Date of Award, which is anticipated to be in November/December 2025.
Total value (estimated)
- £796,000 excluding VAT
- £955,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 December 2025 to 30 September 2028
- Possible extension to 30 March 2029
- 3 years, 3 months, 16 days
Description of possible extension:
Following the initial contract period, there is 1 optional extension for a period of up to 6 months. Optional extension periods will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
N/A
Technical ability conditions of participation
As per Tender documentation.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
10 November 2025, 2:00pm
Tender submission deadline
19 November 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.
Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
3 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| AC1 - Proposed Methodology | As per Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| AC2 - Key Personnel Experience | As per Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| AC3 - Contract Management and Contingency | As per Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| AC4 - Social Value | As per Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| AC5 - Total Contract Price | As per Tender documentation. |
Price |
Weighting description
Weighting Breakdown
60 Percent Qualitative
40 Percent Quantitative
Qualitative Criteria - Percentage Weighting
AC1 - Proposed Methodology - 24 Percent
AC2 - Key Personnel Experience - 18 Percent
AC3 - Contract Management and Contingency - 7.8 Percent
AC4 - Social Value - 10.2 Percent
Quantitative Criteria - Percentage Weighting
AC5 - Total Contract Price - 40 Percent
Other information
Payment terms
For further details on invoicing procedures please see : https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
The Department of Education (DE)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTYH-9512-JWZZ
Rathgael House, Balloo Road
Rathgill
BT19 7PR
United Kingdom
Email: SSDAdmin.CPD@finance-ni.gov.uk
Website: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/
Region: UKN09 - Ards and North Down
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies and Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
Clare House, 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast