Published date: 11 March 2019

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


Closing: 21 November 2018

Contract summary

Industry

  • Social work services - 85310000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£1,300,000

Procurement reference

RD1002005

Published date

11 March 2019

Closing date

21 November 2018

Contract start date

1 February 2019

Contract end date

31 March 2021

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

The Department is appointing a Content Partner to generate, validate and maintain assessment content for the NAAS to support national rollout scheduled to commence in spring 2020.

Initial rollout of NAAS began in a two-phased rollout in July 2018 (Phase 1) with a small group of volunteer local authorities. We expect Phase 2 to start in spring 2019 with a larger, more demographically diverse group. Subject to successful implementation of Phase 1 and 2, we would expect full national rollout of NAAS from spring 2020.

Between 2016 and 2018, the Department developed a rigorous assessment system. This assessment process was first tested with 954 social workers between December 2015 and February 2016 through the Proof of Concept Phase. Following a public consultation on the future of NAAS, the Department decided to rollout NAAS in a two-phased approach with a full national rollout that is being supported by in-depth analysis and evaluation. We have been delivering NAAS as a live service in the north of England since July 2018.

The development and rollout of NAAS is based on the principles of iterative, responsive and agile development, focusing on continuous improvement and sector input to develop and deliver quality assessments.

The contract is complex requiring a combination of technical assessment and psychometrics expertise, as well as input from experts with a social work background. Engaging the child and family social work sector in the content development and validation is key through collaborative initiatives and consultations with subject experts leading to co-created assessment outputs.

The Content Partner will work using an agile approach to developing new content responding to emerging requirements and embedding learning from current rollout phases. They will curate existing assessment content from the Phase 1 and 2 project work, create and manage assessment design documentation, trials and analysis documentation, and related quality assurance processes to ensure valid, reliable assessments.

More information

Attachments

Award information

Awarded date

24 December 2018

Contract start date

1 February 2019

Contract end date

31 March 2021

Total value of contract

£1,300,000

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd

Address

Unit 109 Albert Mill
Hulme Hall Road
Castlefield
Manchester
M15 4LY

Reference

Companies House number: 04801609

Value of contract

£1,300,000

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Buildings,
8th Floor, Great Smith Street
London
SW19 3BT
England

Email

sourcing.help@education.gov.uk

Website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education