National Reading Tests

Descriptions

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in the Welsh Government (hereinafter referred to as the “Client”) wishes to invite interested organisations to submit proposals to develop, trial, produce and distribute reading tests in English and Welsh.The Minister for Education and Skills is committed to an unrelenting focus on improving literacy standards in schools in Wales. Reading is an essential component of literacy and the acquisition of reading skills, at the appropriate level, is a key aspect of becoming literate. Reading tests are an essential tool in measuring progress and identifying issues at both ends of the ability spectrum, but particularly in instances where pupils are falling behind; they are an invaluable diagnostic tool. The intention is that it will be a statutory requirement for all schools in Wales to use the Welsh Government’s reading test on an annual basis with all learners in all school years from Year 2 through to Year 9. These tests will be available in both English and Welsh and they will be used for the purpose of formative, diagnostic and summative assessment.By February 2013, the Client will require 1 standardised test, developed in English and in Welsh, for each school year. Therefore, the Supplier will provide the Client with:•4 Welsh language tests developed to range from Year 2 through to Year 9•4 English language tests developed to range from Year 2 through to Year 9In total, the Supplier will provide the Client with 8 standardised tests (as illustrated in Table 1 above), by February 2013.By February 2014, the Client will require a suite of 2 standardised tests, developed in English and in Welsh, which may be used in each school year.Therefore, by February 2014, the Supplier will provide the Client with an additional:•4 Welsh language tests developed to range from Year 2 through to Year 9. The Welsh tests will need to be similar in format and challenge. •4 English language tests developed to range from Year 2 through to Year 9. The English tests will need to be similar in format and challenge. Therefore, in total, the Supplier will provide the Client with 16 tests (as illustrated above), by February 2014.The awarding Authority reserves the right to request parent company and/or other guarantees of performance and financial liabilityPayment terms will be indicated in the contract documents. Tenders to be priced in Sterling. Payment made in Sterling only. No special legal form required but joint and several liability assumed by all group bidders before acceptance.The Authority reserves the right to consider variant bidsThe Welsh Assembly Government, on behalf of the Welsh Ministers, will be conducting this procurement exercise through the etenderwales portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk. Tender documents and other information must be downloaded from and returned through this portal. If you require any further assistance the BravoSolution helpdesk is available on:Email: help@bravosolution.co.uk Phone: 0800 368 4850 / Fax: 020 7060 0480Further information on accessing the etenderwales portal is provided at section iv of this notice.