The Educational Research Centre (ERC) has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools and test-takers (who have access to appropriate devices and internet connection) with an easy to use online assessment system that is reliable, secure, engaging for test-takers, and meaningful in terms of the reports that it provides. The ERC wishes to procure an integrated end-to-end testing system that supports the ERC’s aims of providing a range of high-quality standardised tests and reports to schools, enabling schools to manage the purchase and administration of tests, and facilitating the ERC’s development of innovative assessment solutions.The integrated online assessment system will cover test development, item banking, assignment of test credits, test session set-up and implementation, test-taker and test item level reporting, hosting and technical support.
Deadline
The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2019-11-08.
The procurement was published on 2019-10-07.
Suppliers
The following suppliers are mentioned in award decisions or other procurement documents:
Object Scope of the procurement
Title: Procurement of an Integrated Online Assessment System for Schools in Ireland
Products/services: Educational software development services📦
Short description:
“The Educational Research Centre (ERC) has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools...”
Short description
The Educational Research Centre (ERC) has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools and test-takers (who have access to appropriate devices and internet connection) with an easy to use online assessment system that is reliable, secure, engaging for test-takers, and meaningful in terms of the reports that it provides. The ERC wishes to procure an integrated end-to-end testing system that supports the ERC’s aims of providing a range of high-quality standardised tests and reports to schools, enabling schools to manage the purchase and administration of tests, and facilitating the ERC’s development of innovative assessment solutions.The integrated online assessment system will cover test development, item banking, assignment of test credits, test session set-up and implementation, test-taker and test item level reporting, hosting and technical support.
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Estimated value excluding VAT: EUR 900 000 💰
The ERC has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools and test-takers (who have access to appropriate devices and internet connection) with an easy to use online assessment system that is reliable, secure, engaging for test-takers, and meaningful in terms of the reports that it provides. The ERC does not view the online assessment system as a static entity — quite the opposite. To respond to changes in education policies and curricula, digital technologies and assessment and measurement technologies, the ERC needs a flexible and responsive assessment system that also fits with its strategic priorities of internal capacity building and research and development. This procurement sets out to achieve this.
The dual mission of the ERC is:
(i) to develop high quality assessments and provide strong assessment support services to schools and centres of education; and
(ii) to conduct and disseminate commissioned and independently-initiated national and international research, assessment and evaluation studies.
The ERC’s strategic plan (2019-2021) has as one of its 10 goals to produce a regularly updated suite of high-quality and relevant assessments that reflects best international practice and serves the needs of the educational system, as well as those of schools, teachers, parents and learners.
A key element of this goal is the procurement of a new online assessment system.
The ERC wishes to procure an integrated end-to-end testing system that supports the ERC’s aims of providing a range of high-quality standardised tests and reports to schools, enabling schools to manage the purchase and administration of tests, and facilitating the ERC’s development of innovative assessment solutions.
The integrated online assessment system will cover test development, item banking, assignment of test credits, test session set-up and implementation, test-taker and test item level reporting, hosting and technical support.
Show more Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
The time frame below is expressed in number of months.
Description
Duration: 60
Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal ✅ Description
Description of renewals:
“It is envisaged that the term of the contract will be 5 years (60 months) with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. The maximum term shall not...”
Description of renewals
It is envisaged that the term of the contract will be 5 years (60 months) with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. The maximum term shall not exceed 8 years in total.
Show more Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 4
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
“As set out in the information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire. It is envisaged that the 4 top-scoring candidates will be invited to...”
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates
As set out in the information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire. It is envisaged that the 4 top-scoring candidates will be invited to participate in the dialogue, subject to that number qualifying.
Show more Information about options
Options ✅
Description of options:
“It is envisaged that the term of the contract will be 5 years (60 months) with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. The maximum term shall not...”
Description of options
It is envisaged that the term of the contract will be 5 years (60 months) with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. The maximum term shall not exceed 8 years in total.
Legal, economic, financial and technical information Conditions for participation
List and brief description of conditions: As stated in the information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire.
Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria: As stated in the information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire.
Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria: As stated in the information memorandum and pre-qualification questionnaire.
Conditions related to the contract
Contract performance conditions: As may be specified in the invitation to participate in dialogue.
Procedure Type of procedure
Competitive dialogue
Administrative information
Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2019/S 174-424224
Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate: 2019-11-08 📅
Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates: 2019-11-25 📅
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English 🗣️
Complementary information Additional information
“1) The ERC will use the Irish Government Procurement portal (www.etenders.gov.ie) for this competition. Access to this portal is free of charge. Interested...”
1) The ERC will use the Irish Government Procurement portal (www.etenders.gov.ie) for this competition. Access to this portal is free of charge. Interested parties must formally register their expression of interest for this competition on eTenders before they can gain access to the PQQ documentation. All information relating to and including the pre-qualification documents, any clarifications and changes will be issued/published via this portal. The ERC will not accept responsibility for information relayed (or not relayed) via third parties;
2) The ERC will not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by candidates or tenderers;
3) Contract award will be subject to the approval of the competent authorities;
4) It will be a condition of award that candidates are tax compliant;
5) At its absolute discretion, the ERC may elect to terminate this procurement process at any time;
6) Please note in relation to all documents, where reference is made to a particular standard, make, source, process, trademark, type or patent, this is not to be regarded as a de facto requirement. In all such cases it should be understood that such indications are to be treated strictly and solely for reference purposes only, to which the words ‘or equivalent’ will always be appended;
7) Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment, the ERC is not obliged to engage in a clarification process in respect of PQQ Submissions with missing or incomplete information. Therefore, candidates are advised to ensure that they return fully completed questionnaires in order to avoid the risk of elimination from the competition;
8) The estimated value set out at II.1.5) is the estimated value over the potential 8-year term of the contract. The ERC estimates that the value of the contract over the potential 8-year term is between 800 000 to 900 000 EUR. The estimated value of the contract over the initial 5 years is in the region of 500 000 to 600 000 EUR.
Show more Review body
Name: The High Court of Ireland
Postal address: Four Courts, Inns Quay
Postal town: Dublin 7
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
URL: http://www.courts.ie🌏 Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
“Please refer to Statutory Instrument 130 of 2010, the European Communities (Public Authorities' Contracts) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010, and in...”
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Please refer to Statutory Instrument 130 of 2010, the European Communities (Public Authorities' Contracts) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010, and in particular Regulation 7.
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Source: OJS 2019/S 195-474008 (2019-10-07)
Contract award notice (2020-08-06) Object Scope of the procurement
Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT): EUR 183 000 💰
Description
Description of the procurement:
“The ERC has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools and test-takers (who have...”
Description of the procurement
The ERC has a statutory mandate to provide and support standardised testing in schools. The ERC is aiming to provide schools and test-takers (who have access to appropriate devices and internet connection) with an easy to use online assessment system that is reliable, secure, engaging for test-takers and meaningful in terms of the reports that it provides. The ERC does not view the online assessment system as a static entity – quite the opposite. To respond to changes in education policies and curricula, digital technologies and assessment and measurement technologies, the ERC needs a flexible and responsive assessment system that also fits with its strategic priorities of internal capacity building and research and development. This procurement sets out to achieve this.
The dual mission of the ERC is:
(i) to develop high quality assessments and provide strong assessment support services to schools and centres of education; and
(ii) to conduct and disseminate commissioned and independently-initiated national and international research, assessment and evaluation studies.
The ERC’s strategic plan (2019-2021) has as one of its 10 goals to produce a regularly updated suite of high-quality and relevant assessments that reflects best international practice and serves the needs of the educational system, as well as those of schools, teachers, parents and learners.
A key element of this goal is the procurement of a new online assessment system.
The ERC wishes to procure an integrated end-to-end testing system that supports the ERC’s aims of providing a range of high-quality standardised tests and reports to schools, enabling schools to manage the purchase and administration of tests, and facilitating the ERC’s development of innovative assessment solutions.
The integrated online assessment system will cover test development, item banking, assignment of test credits, test session set-up and implementation, test-taker and test item level reporting, hosting and technical support.
Show more Award criteria
Quality criterion (name): Quality
Quality criterion (weighting): 70 %
Cost criterion (name): Cost
Cost criterion (weighting): 30 %
Information about options
Description of options:
“The term of the contract is 5 years (60 months) with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. The maximum term shall not exceed 8 years in total.”
Procedure Administrative information
Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2019/S 195-474008
Award of contract
1️⃣
Title: Procurement of an Integrated Online Assessment System for Schools in Ireland
Date of conclusion of the contract: 2020-07-17 📅
Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Name and address of the contractor
Name: Prodigy Learning Ltd
Postal address: Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford
Postal town: Dublin 18
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
Region: Éire/Ireland🏙️
The contractor is an SME ✅ Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Estimated total value of the contract/lot: EUR 900 000 💰
Total value of the contract/lot: EUR 183 000 💰
Complementary information Additional information
“The value of the contract set out at sections II.1.7) and V.2.4) of EUR 183 000 relates to the fixed fees for Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the contract over a...”
The value of the contract set out at sections II.1.7) and V.2.4) of EUR 183 000 relates to the fixed fees for Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the contract over a 5-year term, together with the costs of providing 30 000 tests in Phase 3. The cost of providing the tests during Phase 4 is not included in the figure of EUR 183 000 and will depend on the number of tests delivered and whether the contract is extended.
The estimated value set out in the contract notice of EUR 900 000 is the estimated value over the potential 8-year term of the contract. The ERC estimates that the value over the potential 8-year term is between EUR 800 000 and 900 000. The estimated value of the contract over the initial 5 years is in the region of EUR 500 000 to EUR 600 000.
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Source: OJS 2020/S 154-377568 (2020-08-06)