Official UK procurement notice
Home Office English Language Testing (HOELT) Services
Authority: Home Office (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Home Office English Language Test (HOELT) Programme vision is to deliver a best-in-class language testing service, underpinned by automation and efficiency to enable critical UK Visa and Immigration decision making. To do this, we need to deliver a secure, accessible and fair English Language Testing service for our customers.
This procurement seeks a fully remote language testing service, balancing continuity with improvements and transformation. HOELT will move to a digital-by-default approach, while upholding the rigorous standards necessary to support our immigration decisions. The successful provider will deliver a service that combines technological innovation with security assurance, enabling customers to demonstrate their English language skills with confidence and convenience throughout their UK immigration journey.
Overview of the Service:
The Supplier shall provide a fully managed Remote Testing service. HOELTs shall be delivered securely in any location where the Customer chooses to take the test, provided secure test conditions are met.
The Authority requires that all ELTs are delivered remotely. However, if there are local constraints (for example legal/technical) within a Country which would prevent Remote Testing for the foreseeable future or on a temporary basis, exceptions to the remote testing requirement may be proposed.
The HOELTs shall be available in two formats:
2-Facet: Speaking and Listening (A1 to C2)
4-Facet: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing (A1 to C2)
The HOELT Fees shall be regulated, as determined by the Authority.
All HOELT scores shall map clearly to CEFR levels A1 to C2, as published by the Council of Europe.
Authority recognises that there is significant uncertainty regarding future demand for English Language Testing (ELT) services in each country and location, the advertised contract value must be concidered in this context. This uncertainty arises from a combination of factors, including:
Ongoing changes to UK immigration policy following the Immigration White Paper;
The transition to a new contracting model for the delivery of ELT services;
Broader external influences such as global events, geopolitical developments, environmental disruptions, and demographic shifts.
Given this context, the Authority is unable to provide indicative forecasts or guarantees regarding future test volumes.
The Service must therefore be demonstrably scalable and responsive to fluctuations in demand, both increases and decreases. The Supplier shall proactively manage changes in demand and demonstrate flexibility in adapting to evolving Service requirements throughout the Term.
Please note, five Requests for Information (RFIs) have been run as part of market engagement to inform this procurement.
Links to the notices published in relation to the market engagement are below for further information:
RFI 1: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027422-2024 ↗
RF 2: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035979-2024 ↗
RFI 3: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014337-2025 ↗
- Not divided into lots: Opportunities to divide the contract into lots were carefully considered. This included careful consideration of feedback received from the market during five rounds of market engagement where the market, which supported the decision to consolidate. Various lotting scenarios based on expertise and geography were tested through Market Engagement and further Internal Options Analysis. A decision was taken to award the contract under a single lot primarily due to: -The requirement to improve consistency across the service. -Confirmation received through Market Engagement that there was existing market capability to deliver the full service under one single contract. -While the contract is not being divided into lots, there are likely to be opportunities for SME to participate in collaborative bids.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Dec 2032, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: The procurement will follow a staged process as set out in the Invitation to Tender (ITT): Qualification Envelope (Procurement Specific Questionnaire) -Suppliers submit responses to mandatory pass/fail questions and selection criteria. -Only suppliers who pass all mandatory criteria progress to the next stage. Initial Tender Submission -Qualified suppliers submit full tenders, including technical and commercial responses. -Tenders are checked for completeness, compliance, and acceptance of contract terms. Technical Evaluation -Technical responses are assessed by an Evaluation Panel using published scoring criteria. -Minimum performance thresholds apply to critical questions. Moderation and Shortlisting -Individual scores are moderated to reach consensus. -The Authority reserves the right to shortlist up to seven highest-scoring suppliers (or more in the event of tied scores). Technical Demonstrations (if required) -Shortlisted suppliers may be invited to demonstrate their proposed solutions. -Demonstrations are scored on a pass/fail basis against defined scenarios. Supplier Negotiations (if required) -Unscored negotiation meetings may be held to clarify and refine proposals ahead of final submissions. Best and Final Offer (BAFO) Submission -Remaining suppliers submit updated technical and commercial responses. -Changes must be clearly tracked and highlighted. Final Evaluation and Moderation -BAFO responses are evaluated and moderated using the same criteria as initial tenders. -Minimum performance thresholds apply. Award Decision -The Most Advantageous Tender is determined using a Weighted Value for Money Index (WVFMI), combining quality (60%) and price (40%). -Notification of award is issued via Jaggaer, followed by an 8-day standstill period. The indicitive procurement timeline is as follows. Please note that this will be superceded by the timeline included within the ITT Instructions to Suppliers: Issue of Tender Notice: 28 November 2025 Clarification window for Qualification phase closes: 15 December 2025 Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) Submission Deadline: 12.00 noon, 12 January 2026 PSQ Outcome communicated to Suppliers: 29 January 2026 Clarification window closes for Initial Tender phase: 16 February 2026 Initial Tender submission deadline: 12.00 noon, 2 March 2026 Initial Tender outcome communicated: 30 April 2026 Technical Demonstrations: May 2026 Negotiation Meetings: June 2026 Invitation to submit Best and Final Offer (BAFO): 29 June 2026 Clarification window closes for BAFO phase: 9 July 2026 BAFO submission deadline: 12.00 noon, 20 July 2026 Intention to award notification: November 2026 Contract award: November 2026 Implementation period begins: December 2026 The Authority reserves the right to amend, vary, or withdraw any aspect of this procurement process at any time, including but not limited to the structure, stages, timelines, and evaluation methodology. Any such changes will be communicated to all participating suppliers in a timely and transparent manner.
CPV: Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security · Digital transmission apparatus · Educational software development services · Educational software package · General personnel services for the government · General public services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Information technology services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£680,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must meet conditions of participation through the completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire including:
-Registration on the Central Digital Platform and submit core supplier information. (Please see: www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗ for guidance)
-Demonstrate economic and financial standing, including minimum turnover, credit rating, operating margin, and net worth as specified in the procurement documents.
-Hold or commit to obtain required insurance levels prior to contract award.
Full details will be included within the ITT documentation.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must meet conditions of participation through the completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire including:
Provide evidence of relevant technical ability, including, where available, contract examples and required accreditations.
Ensure any associated persons or subcontractors relied upon also meet these requirements and submit information as required.
Full details and assessment criteria are set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire and Invitation to Tender documents.
Full details will be included within the ITT documentation.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Ways of working: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 2%
- The English Language Test (ELT): Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 4%
- Identity Verification: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 4%
- Appointment Booking: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 1%
- Fee Handling: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 1%
- Added Value Service (AVS): Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 2%
- Test Delivery: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 4%
- Technology Design & Architecture: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 3%
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 1%
- Customer support: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 1%
- Integrity: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 4%
- Security: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 4%
- Incident management: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 3%
- Audits: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 2%
- Marking and Results: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 3%
- Performance: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 2%
- Customer insight: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 1%
- Implementation: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 6%
- Testing Procedures: Suppliers will be required to respond to a question within the Quality Questionnaire scored on a 0-10 scale and weighted at 2%
- Social Value: Suppliers will be required to respond to 4 quality questions within the Quality Questionnaire, each scored on a 0-10 scale at a total weighting of 10%
- Price: Supplier's total Bid price.
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must meet conditions of participation through the completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire including:
-Registration on the Central Digital Platform and submit core supplier information. (Please see: www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗ for guidance)
-Demonstrate economic and financial standing, including minimum turnover, credit rating, operating margin, and net worth as specified in the procurement documents.
-Hold or commit to obtain required insurance levels prior to contract award.
Full details will be included within the ITT documentation.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must meet conditions of participation through the completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire including:
Provide evidence of relevant technical ability, including, where available, contract examples and required accreditations.
Ensure any associated persons or subcontractors relied upon also meet these requirements and submit information as required.
Full details and assessment criteria are set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire and Invitation to Tender documents.
Full details will be included within the ITT documentation.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Dec 2032
- First published
- 10 Apr 2025, 14:56 BST
- Last source update
- 7 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 16 Nov 2026
- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-078044- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area in notice
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0500b5Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement will follow a staged process as set out in the Invitation to Tender (ITT):
Qualification Envelope (Procurement Specific Questionnaire)
-Suppliers submit responses to mandatory pass/fail questions and selection criteria.
-Only suppliers who pass all mandatory criteria progress to the next stage.
Initial Tender Submission
-Qualified suppliers submit full tenders, including technical and commercial responses.
-Tenders are checked for completeness, compliance, and acceptance of contract terms.
Technical Evaluation
-Technical responses are assessed by an Evaluation Panel using published scoring criteria.
-Minimum performance thresholds apply to critical questions.
Moderation and Shortlisting
-Individual scores are moderated to reach consensus.
-The Authority reserves the right to shortlist up to seven highest-scoring suppliers (or more in the event of tied scores).
Technical Demonstrations (if required)
-Shortlisted suppliers may be invited to demonstrate their proposed solutions.
-Demonstrations are scored on a pass/fail basis against defined scenarios.
Supplier Negotiations (if required)
-Unscored negotiation meetings may be held to clarify and refine proposals ahead of final submissions.
Best and Final Offer (BAFO) Submission
-Remaining suppliers submit updated technical and commercial responses.
-Changes must be clearly tracked and highlighted.
Final Evaluation and Moderation
-BAFO responses are evaluated and moderated using the same criteria as initial tenders.
-Minimum performance thresholds apply.
Award Decision
-The Most Advantageous Tender is determined using a Weighted Value for Money Index (WVFMI), combining quality (60%) and price (40%).
-Notification of award is issued via Jaggaer, followed by an 8-day standstill period.
The indicitive procurement timeline is as follows. Please note that this will be superceded by the timeline included within the ITT Instructions to Suppliers:
Issue of Tender Notice: 28 November 2025
Clarification window for Qualification phase closes: 15 December 2025
Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) Submission Deadline: 12.00 noon, 12 January 2026
PSQ Outcome communicated to Suppliers: 29 January 2026
Clarification window closes for Initial Tender phase: 16 February 2026
Initial Tender submission deadline: 12.00 noon, 2 March 2026
Initial Tender outcome communicated: 30 April 2026
Technical Demonstrations: May 2026
Negotiation Meetings: June 2026
Invitation to submit Best and Final Offer (BAFO): 29 June 2026
Clarification window closes for BAFO phase: 9 July 2026
BAFO submission deadline: 12.00 noon, 20 July 2026
Intention to award notification: November 2026
Contract award: November 2026
Implementation period begins: December 2026
The Authority reserves the right to amend, vary, or withdraw any aspect of this procurement process at any time, including but not limited to the structure, stages, timelines, and evaluation methodology. Any such changes will be communicated to all participating suppliers in a timely and transparent manner.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 19 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 14 Jan 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
All submissions will be completed through the Jaggaer portal, for which you can login here: homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html ↗
If you have not yet registered on Jaggaer, this can also be done online through the above link and clicking on ‘To register click here’.
Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering.
Once you have registered on the eSourcing Portal, you can request access to the NDA, by emailing [email protected]. Your email must clearly state the exact name that you used to register on Jaggaer. Once enabled, you should receive a link to the NDA from Jaggaer.
Once you have submitted a signed NDA you will be given access to the documents for the first stage of the procurement.
For technical assistance on use of the eSourcing Portal please contact the JAGGAER Supplier Helpdesk at [email protected] or 0800 069 8630 (0800 - 1800hrs).
Timeline
10 Apr 2025 → 1 Dec 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published10 Apr 2025, 14:56 BST
- Next notice expected4 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Market engagement400 days ago22 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
This notice relates to a fifth round of market engagement in relation to this opportunity. The primary purpose of the engagement is to:
Understand the feasibility of delivering a secure, remote English Language Testing service.
- To express an interest, participants must first be registered on the Home Office’s eSourcing Portal (JAGGAER). If you have not yet registered, this can be done online at homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html ↗ by following the Register Here Link.
- Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering and who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so.
- Registering on Jaggaer will not provide immediate access to the fifth round RFI. Once you have registered on JAGGAER, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing [email protected] as below:
Email subject line: HOELT Procurement - Expression of Interest
Email to include: Organisation name (as registered on JAGGAER),
Contact name, E-mail address and telephone number.
- Once the above steps are completed, participants will be granted access to the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) event in JAGGAER.
- Participants should then complete and return their signed NDA, via JAGGAER, in order to be added to the RFI event which is open until 22/09/25 at 12:00 midday (BST).
- Participants should ensure that they leave enough time to submit your NDA and your RFI responses in time for close date of 22/09/25 at 12:00 midday (BST).
Please note: if you have previously signed an NDA for RFI1 or RFI2 Market Engagement, but did not complete an NDA for RFI3 or RFI4, you are still required to sign a new NDA and follow the process above. If you completed an NDA in relation to RFI3 or RFI4 you are not required to submit an additional NDA. Once you have completed the process above, you will be added to the RFI.
- Tender notice published333 days ago28 Nov 2025, 12:12 GMT
- Latest notice published293 days ago7 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMT
- Clarification questions by286 days ago14 Jan 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Submission deadline281 days ago19 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Today28 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 19 days16 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 33 days1 Dec 2026
Notice history
14 events · 10 releases on Find a Tender · since 10 Apr 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published10 Apr 2025, 14:56 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published2 Jul 2025, 14:41 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published8 Sept 2025, 16:54 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published8 Sept 2025, 16:56 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published9 Sept 2025, 12:19 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published10 Sept 2025, 16:30 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published28 Nov 2025, 12:12 GMTUK4
- Status changed to active28 Nov 2025, 12:12 GMT
- Procurement method changed28 Nov 2025, 12:12 GMT
- Deadline published: 12 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT28 Nov 2025, 12:12 GMT
- Tender notice published9 Dec 2025, 14:12 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published7 Jan 2026, 17:22 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published7 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 19 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT7 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMT+7 days · was 12 Jan 2026, 12:00 GMT
Routine re-releases (10)
- 2025-11: 1 release · 28 Nov 2025
- 2025-09: 4 releases · 8 Sept 2025, 10 Sept 2025
- 2025-07: 1 release · 2 Jul 2025
- 2025-04: 1 release · 10 Apr 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (11)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: The Authority will be sharing the NDA for the procurement via Jaggaer. Once the NDA is signed, the Authority will share Tender documents. Documents that will be available for download will include: i) the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (Appendix 1), used for gathering information to qualify Suppliers for further evaluation; ii) the Contract (Appendix 2), this is the draft Contract, including the service description, Key Performance Indicators, and implementation schedules; iii) the Quality Questionnaire (Appendix 3), that will be used to assess Suppliers’ technical capability. iv) the Financial Pricing Model (Appendix 4), that will be used to assess Suppliers’ commercial proposals; v) the Non-Collusion Certificate (Appendix 5), a certificate provided for Suppliers’ declaration of bidding in good faith; vi) the Clarification Questions Template (Appendix 6), a template for submitting clarification questions on any aspect of the procurement vii) supporting documentation held within the Data Room The Authority reserves the right to amend, vary, or withdraw any aspect of this procurement process at any time, including but not limited to the structure, stages, timelines, and evaluation methodology. Any such changes will be communicated to all participating suppliers in a timely and transparent manner.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Show 2 more notices
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender