Invitation to Tenderfor the provision of

A report on “good practice in the use of admissions tests”

To be returned no later than

12 noonFriday 5th May2017

INTRODUCTION

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: SPA Invitation to Tender–Admissions Tests Project

SPA is a UK-wide programme, funded by UCAS, which takes account of equal opportunities legislation, the drive to widen participation and the QAA’s Quality Code.

SPA is an independent and objective voice on higher education admissions in the UK. It leads on the development of fair admissions, providing an evidence base and guidelines for good practice and helping higher education institutions maintain and enhance excellence in admissions and student recruitment. SPA works closely with Higher Education Providers (HEPs), schools, colleges and other stakeholders. SPA has its origins in the Admissions to Higher Education Review Steering Group (the Schwartz Group) report Fair Admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for Good Practice September 2004.

The independent SPA Steering Group shapes SPA’s work. It is chaired by Professor Joy Carter (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester), consists of a wide range of representatives from Universities UK, GuildHE, UCAS, Association of Colleges, the pre-HE sector and the HE sector (including expert admissions practitioners).

Further information on the work of SPA is available on our website at

UCAS is the world’s largest central admissions service for higher education (HE). UCAS is a charitable enterprise that provides information and admissions services to inspire and facilitate educational progression. Every year we help hundreds of thousands of people find the educational opportunities that are right for them, and through our admissions services we help learner’s access courses at hundreds of schools, universities and colleges. In addition, UCAS has a wholly owned commercial subsidiary, UCAS Media Limited, which offers marketing and analytical services. Profit made by UCAS Media is reinvested into UCAS to support the delivery of our charitable objects and minimise the costs charged to students and education providers.

SPA would like to invite you to Tender forthe provision of and have attached the following documents for review and completion:

  1. Appendix A - Scope of Requirements
  2. Appendix B - References
  3. Appendix C -Commercial and Contractual requirements
  4. Appendix D - General Tender Conditions
  5. Appendix E - Standard Bidder Questionnaire
  6. Appendix F - Confirmation Document
TENDER TIMETABLE AND PROCESS
STAGE / DATE
Tender / Invitation to Tender issued / 10/04/2017
Clarification period / Up until24/04/2017
Process / Written tender response deadline / 05/05/2017
Evaluation and clarifications / 08/05/2017 – 18/05/2017
Successful Tender announced / 19/05/2017
Publish the final good practice document / 31/07/2017

This Tender seeks proposals from appropriately qualified and experienced bidders and the successful bidder shall enter into a contractual relationship with UCAS to deliver a fit for purpose to meet the business needs as described here in.

Procedure for proposal submission and selection criteria

Proposals should be emailed to arrive by 12 noon on 5 May 2017. Please note that late proposals will not be considered. Email to Mrs Lindsay Harvey d title the subject header ‘admissions tests project proposal’.

The contract will be awarded to the proposal that demonstrates the most economically advantageous bid, in terms of (not listed in order of importance):

  • Understanding of SPA’s requirements.
  • The relevant experience and suitability of the individual(s) involved.
  • Quality of the proposal and extent to which intended outcomes are compatible with SPA’s remit and other resources in SPA’s portfolio of good practice.
  • Ability to meet the required timescales.
  • Overall value for money.

Primary assessment for selection will be through evaluation of the project proposal and supplementary information submitted. However, SPA reserves the right to require an interview should further information be required to distinguish between suitable submissions.

Appendix A

SCOPE OF REQUIREMENTS

This document invites proposals for a discrete piece of investigation, review and production of documentation for SPA on good practice in the use of admissions tests by higher education (HE) providers both before and during the admission process in the UK.

  • SPA defines an admissions test as a timed, unseen, written, paper-based or online test, usually taken in the academic year prior to application, prior to offer, or at interview. Tests may be devised by the HE provider or by a group or consortium with one or more testing/awarding bodies. Tests may be used by a single provider for one or more subjects or may be used by many providers for the same subject, as one evaluative element to inform admissions decision-making.
  • The type of test used depends predominantly on the course and the attributes deemed appropriate for the professional, vocational or academic discipline. Tests can range from aptitude tests, essay-writing exercises, critical-thinking assessments, problem-solving tests, subject-specific tests, cognitive measures and non-cognitive measures. Many are designed to correlate test outcomes with predictability of degree success, i.e. they are designed to infer HE study aptitude from test scores. Similarly, some test aptitude for specific careers leading on from the HE subject. Others may be designed purely for diagnostic purposes, to ascertain the academic support requirements of individuals. In all cases, it is vital inferences of future performance, ability, skill or behaviour are evidence-based and reinforced through longitudinal review analysis.
  • The project will need to deliver an update of all existing SPA publications on admissions tests, combining them into one document fit for SPA’s key audience, admissions staff with UK HE providers. This should be complemented by an additional document for internal SPA use that provides a proposed framework/storyboard of the structure and key points from the document to include in an interactive e-learning module on additional assessments.
  • In addition, it would be desirable for the project to conduct research into the types, usage, evaluation and communication of admissions tests across HE entry in the UK.
  • It is anticipated that this work will include field work with HE providers, discussions with SPA and UCAS, writing up, and meetings/briefings. Travel expenses will be paid in line with UCAS’ normal rates. The final good practice document, module outline and any supplementary materials will be prepared in consultation with SPA team, who will retain editorial control.
  • Work on this project would be expected to start as soon as possible after the appointment is confirmed, and will include regular evaluation checks where the successful appointee will be expected to demonstrated progress and achievement in agreement with the finalised project plan. Such progress measures over the project timeline should be included in the proposal.

Deliverables:

  1. The project will need to deliver:
  • An update of all existing SPA publications on admissions tests, combining them into one document fit for SPA’s key audience, admissions staff with UK HE providers. SPA’s recommendations on admissions tests, and information to support those recommendations, should be the key focus of such a document.
  • Incorporation of points from SPA’s National Expert Think Tank (NETT) work on additional assessments, plus linking to other SPA good practice as appropriate, to ensure consistency.
  • Embedding of equality and widening participation considerations within the good practice document.
  • Consideration of consumer law implications.
  • Evidence that the update has been informed by HE admissions practice, and that the draft document has been reviewed and approved by a small sample of providers, incorporating constructive feedback as appropriate.
  • An additional document for internal SPA use that provides a proposed framework/storyboard of the structure and key points to include in an interactive e-learning module on additional assessments.
  1. In addition, it would be desirable for the project to conduct research into:
  • The types of admissions tests currently being used in UK HE.
  • How and when admissions tests are used in admissions.
  • Internal (HE provider or testing body) methodology for evaluating effectiveness and conducting impact assessments.
  • The communication, transparency and ease of understanding of preparatory information on admissions tests for applicants and advisers.

The resulting good practice document and module will assist HE providers in their own planning, policy development and good practice in the use of admissions tests within a fair admissions context, as well as informing SPA in its advice and support to HE providers.

Individual/Organisational Requirements

Individuals or organisations submitting a proposal will need to include information about themselves, about their plan for conducting the required project work and deliverables, and about their costs.

Information about any individual(s) involved in delivering the project should include:

  • Curriculum vitae identifying experience relevant to this nature of project, especially in relation to HE, admissions or related areas. It should further demonstrate excellent communication, task management and analytical skills.
  • Information about any organisation being represented by the individual.
  • Any conflicts of interest.

Information on the proposed project plan should succinctly include:

  • Details on how the proposer intends to conduct the work required to achieve the intended project deliverables, broken down according to distinct tasks, timelines and outcomes.
  • The desired research outlined in point 2 should be detailed and costed separately to that for the required deliverables given in point 1, so that it can be readily broken down in assessing the achievability of the project’s timeline and budget.
  • Progress measures, identifying how SPA will remain informed and how it may evaluate development and success over the project timeline.
  • An assessment of any risks involved in the project plan, noting the likelihood and severity of such risks to delivery, quality, costs or SPA’s reputation.

Background information – the Schwartz report and fair admissions

The ‘Schwartz report’ Fair admissions to higher education: recommendations for good practice, which was produced following the Admissions to Higher Education Review, was published in September 2004 and can be found at

In discussing fair admissions, the Schwartz Report (p. 30) stated:

“The Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group believes in the autonomy of institutions over admissions policies and decisions. Fairness does not mean that governments should choose students. Preserving academic freedom requires that academic institutions retain three basic rights in relation to teaching: the right to choose who will teach, what will be taught and to whom. This means that the specific applicants that a university or college accepts should be a matter for each institution and no one else.”

The five main principles in the Schwartz report statea fair admissions system should:

  1. Be transparent, and provide consistent and efficient information
  2. Select students who are able to complete the course as judged by their achievements and potential
  3. Use assessment methods that are reliable and valid
  4. Minimise barriers to applicants
  5. Be professional in every respect and underpinned by institutional structures and processes.

SPA’s current resources on admissions tests

SPA has developed principles on what makes a good admissions test in conjunction with expert practitioners in admissions across the UK and has several documents on good practice, accessible via

Research report on HE admissions tests

Research HE questionnaire on admissions tests

Research HE questionnaire on admissions tests key findings

Research HE questionnaire on admissions tests detailed findings

Briefing on admissions tests appeals

SPA recommends agood admissions test should:

  • Have rigorous validation and reliability testing.
  • Be supported by statistical and research evidence.
  • Ensure the minimum of bias in the test questions so the test is valid for applicants from all backgrounds in a UK context.
  • Be readily available and accessible to those with evidence of specific requirements in a timely way.
  • Provide exemplar materials and tests with answers.
  • Be fairly and professionally administered.
  • Be able to demonstrate it is fit for purpose and add value as part of holistic decision-making.
  • Be approved for use through the HE provider's relevant structures and processes.
  • Have a clear process within published complaints and appeals procedures to allow applicants to query or dispute aspects of the handling of the test.

SPA recommends HE providers refer to the above criteria in their evaluation of either whether or not to introduce tests, or in reviewing whether or not to continue using tests. HE providers should review the reasons for and against the introduction of a test, decide whether the potential of an applicant can be assessed without an additional test score and also be clear about what the test result will tell them about an applicant. HE providers should also consider a fee waiver or bursary if there is a test fee and the provision of familarisation sessions for applicants from widening participation backgrounds.

SPA’s original research report on HE admissions tests was submitted to inform the Government's Education and Skills Select Committee: Inquiry into Testing and Assessment in 2007.

Appendix B

References:

Please provide details of two references or citations, able to comment on similar projects/services the individual has managed, that are relevant to SPA’s requirements.
Customer name and address / Contact name and e–mail address, telephone number / Date contract awarded / completed / Contract reference and brief description of service undertaken / Approximate Value of Contract

NB. SPA may elect to contact any of the given companies to verify the information provided. Your permission to do so will be assumed unless you explicitly state any objections.

Appendix C

Commercial and Contractual Requirements

To ensure that UCAS obtain consistent and competitive pricing, this ITT shall be based around a fixed contract price and fixed schedule of rates for the supply of the services including any estimated travel, subsidence or other expenses against identified activities.

Any variations to the tender will be subject to acceptance / rejection at the discretion of UCAS

Only items that are ordered as part of a valid Purchase Order from UCAS will form part of any contractual obligations.

From the date of UCAS acceptance and notification of intention to award a contract, the supplier will hold all pricing for the entire period of the contract period to cover the completion of the project.

Any financial data provided must be submitted in, or converted into, pounds sterling. Where official documents include financial data in a foreign currency, a sterling equivalent must be provided.

Submitted prices must show net price, as well as any VAT chargeable and, where applicable, carriage paid.

Submitted prices should be broken down to show detailed costs with a pricing summary showing total costs by significant elements over the duration of the contract.

The supplier is required to submit any identified risks and assumptions made in the submission of the Bid response and include any costs that have been allocated to and risks and assumptions that have been made.

Terms and Conditions

1 / Please confirm you agree to the attached UCAS terms and conditions:
Individuals –
or
Organisations -
/ I confirm I agree to the attached terms and conditions YES/NO
If NO please provide a commentary on those specific matters where the Individual/Supplier is seeking change, why and how. This must be provided in full detail rather than a generic response such as "Individual/Supplier reserves its position" or "Individual/Supplier wishes to discuss further", etc.

Appendix D

General Tender Conditions

Appendix E

Standard Bidder Questions

Appendix F

Confirmation Document

UCAS, Rosehill, New Barn Way, Cheltenham GL52 3EZ

Declaration

Please read and sign the following:

I / We have read the information provided in your Tender and subject to and upon the terms and conditions contained in the Tender Documentation, I / we offer to supply the services described in the contract documents in such manner as described.

I / We agree to carry out the whole of the services required for the Sum of £ ______(exclusive of V.A.T)

I / We agree to hold open this Tender for 60 days from the date of Tender.

I / We understand that UCAS retains the right to accept or reject any or all of the Tenders received and does not accept any liability for the costs incurred in connection with the preparation and submission of this Tender.

I / we certify that the information supplied in the questionnaire and any supporting documents is accurate and valid to the best of my / our knowledge. I / we accept that my/ our response is a bona fide Tender and that the UCAS may rely on the information provided in my / our response. I / we understand that false information could result in my / our exclusion from the selection process at any stage.

Signed
Name
Position in firm
For and on behalf of
Date

Security Marking: Commercial in confidence Page 1 of 13

Document Owner: UCAS ProcurementLast updated: 24/9/2015