Published date: 26 August 2025

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 27 March 2025, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West

Value of contract

£18,000,000

Procurement reference

tender_473430/1503817

Published date

26 August 2025

Closing date

27 March 2025

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

31 July 2025

Contract end date

30 July 2029

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Following the completion of the tender evaluation process, the Department for Education, Standards and Testing Agency (STA) have appointed five suppliers to the STA Trialling and Sampling Framework.

The initial term of the framework is three years, with the option to extend for an additional 12 months.

This framework will support the delivery of high-quality, reliable test development services, including Item Validation Trials (IVTs), Technical Pre-Tests (TPTs), and sampling activities. These services are essential to the STA's delivery of national curriculum assessments, helping to ensure that assessments remain inclusive, free from bias, and aligned with Ofqual's regulatory requirements.

Award information

Awarded date

30 July 2025

Contract start date

31 July 2025

Contract end date

30 July 2029

Total value of contract

£18,000,000

This contract was awarded to 5 suppliers.

ACER International United Kingdom Limited (ACER UK)

Address

Address: Column House, London Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom, SY2 6NN

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

National Foundation for Educational Research

Address

The Mere, Upton Park, Slough SL1 2DQ, United Kingdom

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

Scottish Qualification Authority

Address

The Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8D

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

Pearson Education Limited

Address

80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL, United Kingdom

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

PwC LLP

Address

1 Embankment Place, London WC2N 6RH

Reference

No reference - other

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Bld, Great Smith Stret
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

TendersTD.STA@education.gov.uk