Provision of Language Training and Examinations

Tender description

Operational and developmental language training and online examination services for FCDO and wider HMG officers. Language training and examination services play a critical role in ensuring that officers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and across Her Majesty's Government (HMG) have the appropriate level of foreign language skills. This is to enable them to operate confidently and effectively to help fulfil HMG's objectives and project and enhance the UK's global influence overseas. Officers use their language skills in a variety of contexts such as engaging with politicians, dealing with local authorities and officials, speaking to businesses, talking to students, negotiation, giving speeches and media interviews, engaging on social media, reading newspapers and understanding broadcasts. We expect this opportunity will be of interest to providers of language training, including universities, in a large number of languages, Centres of Excellence that specialise in one or several languages, and providers of online testing or examinations services including but not limited to those with existing capability in online language proficiency testing. The current language training and examination services contracts for Her Majesty's Government (HMG) end on 31 March 2022. We (the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, hereafter referred to as 'the Authority') are offering 5 lots to suppliers to replace these contracts. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for language training services and Lot 5 is for examinations services. Each Lot is for a separate commercial opportunity run through an open competition. Bidders may elect to submit proposals for several of the language training lots. However please take note of attachment 2 of the ITT package that addresses the topic of "Separation of Training and Examination Responsibilities" The resultant contracts with the successful bidders will be for a duration of 3 years, plus 3x12 month optional extension years.