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.
Contract 1. ID 5967233 - DE - Statistics and Research - The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2027
Supplier
Contract value
- £766,299.93 excluding VAT
- £919,559.92 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
1 December 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
1 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 11 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
12 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 December 2025 to 28 February 2029
- Possible extension to 30 September 2029
- 3 years, 9 months, 17 days
Description of possible extension:
There will be one optional extension of any period up to 7 months.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Information about tenders
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
PEARSON PLC
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHP-6465-TLVW
80 Strand
London
WC2R 0RL
United Kingdom
Email: grace.grima@pearson.com
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. ID 5967233 - DE - Statistics and Research - The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2027
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