Published date: 30 September 2015

Closed future opportunity - This means that a potential contract has passed its approach to market date. A buyer can choose to consider any supplier interest or convert this notice into an opportunity ready for live procurement.


Approach to market date: 27 October 2015

Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£500,000 to £5,000,000

Procurement reference

1279

Published date

30 September 2015

Approach to market date

27 October 2015

Contract start date

1 April 2016

Contract end date

31 March 2020

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE).
The STA's main functions are to:
• develop high quality and rigorous DfE tests and assessments in line with Ministerial policy;
• undertake operational delivery of DfE tests and assessment (including printing, distribution, marking and data capture of tests as appropriate); and
• support schools, test centres and other stakeholders to deliver DfE tests and assessments.
STA is responsible for developing and delivering the national curriculum tests and assessments and ensuring their proper and safe production and administration. These assessments operate across Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and key stages 1, 2 and 3 and are used by a wide range of maintained and other schools. STA is also responsible for developing and delivering Professional Skills Tests for prospective teachers.
Further information about STA and the national curriculum tests and assessments can be found at www.education.gov.uk/assessments.
Description of the contract

STA wish to establish an Item Writing Framework of suitably experienced suppliers to develop items (test questions) and mark schemes for a range of DfE assessments. STA plan to establish the framework agreement by April 2016 and it will operate for a maximum of four years.
Currently, STA procures new items for key stage 1 and key stage 2 National Curriculum Tests (English reading; English grammar, punctuation and spelling; and mathematics at key stage 1. Those same subjects plus science at key stage 2), and items for the on-screen Professional Skills Tests for Prospective Teachers (for Literacy and Numeracy). As new items are required, suppliers on the framework will be invited to submit invitations to quote (ITQs) on a project by project basis to secure call-off contracts.
The total value of the work over the maximum term of four years is expected to be between £500,000 and £5,000,000

See 'Attachments' for further information including indicative key dates.

More information

Spend profile

This table displays the spend profile of the notice
Financial year Budget
2014/2015 £0

Attachments

Additional text

The Department is planning to hold a Supplier Briefing event in order to engage with potential suppliers of the services subject to tender. This event is to take place in Coventry on 20 October 2015.

If you are a supplier interested in attending please send an email expressing your interest and provide your contact details to mark.horton@education.gsi.gov.uk along with a brief overview of your organisation and specific interest in this requirement by 14 October 2015 at noon.

About the buyer

Contact name

Mark Horton

Address

Standards and Testing Agency, Floor 7, 53-55 BUTTS ROAD, Earlsdon Park
Coventry
CV1 3BH
England

Email

mark.horton@education.gsi.gov.uk