Examinations Marking and Psychometric Data Analysis Services

Procurement reference

GPhC-PA011

Procurement description

About Us

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), a not-for-profit organisation established under the Pharmacy Order 2010, is 1 of 13 Health and Social Care Regulators within the United Kingdom. We regulate Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and pharmacies in Great Britain, and it is our role to ensure that the public receive safe and effective pharmacy care.

At present, we register c.66,000 Pharmacists, c.27,000 Pharmacy Technicians and c.13,500 pharmacy premises; with c.300 employees, alongside c.380 Associates and Partners working to support the enablement of statutory functions under the governance of our Council.

What We Do

o Protect the public and provide assurance for the receipt of safe and effective care when using pharmacy services.

o Maintain a register of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and pharmacies.

o Approve and accredit qualifications and training for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and pharmacy Support Staff.

o Set standards for pharmacy professionals and pharmacies to enter and remain on our register.

o Request pharmacy professionals and pharmacies provide evidence that they are continuing to meet our standards, including conducting inspections to verify proof(s) given.

o Investigate concerns and where necessary to protect patients and the public, or to uphold public confidence in pharmacy, take action to restrict one's ability to practise.

o Promote professionalism and support continuous improvement, thus assuring quality and safety of pharmacy.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Total value (estimated)

200000 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM to 31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 December 2031

General Pharmaceutical Council

Is the total value above threshold?

Below threshold

CPV classifications

• 72316000 - Data analysis services
• 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
• 80300000 - Higher education services

Delivery regions

• UK - United Kingdom

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) wishes to inform the market of our intention to procure, in relation to the Pharmacists' Common Registration Assessment (CRA), the provision of Examinations Marking and Psychometric Data Analysis Services.

The CRA is a two-part, time limited and computer-based examination, undertaken by Trainee Pharmacists across the United Kingdom. It is designed to ensure that those entering our register possess the necessary knowledge and aptitude(s) to practise safe and effective pharmacy care - a significant hurdle for candidates aiming to achieve their registration.

Part One: Pharmacists' Common Registration Assessment

o Focus: Pharmacy and healthcare calculations.

o Question quantity: 40

o Data type/item: Numerical free-entry response.

o Marking: Each item is worth one mark; no negative marking is applied.

Part Two: Pharmacists' Common Registration Assessment

o Focus: Safe and effective pharmacy care of the public.

o Question quantity: 120

o Data type/item: Multiple-choice response, comprising 90 'single best answer' items (5 options each) and 30 'extended matching questions' (8 options each).

o Marking: Each item is worth one mark; no negative marking is applied.

The GPhC conducts two CRA's annually; in comparison to our June examination which accommodates c.4,000 candidates, our November examination accommodates c.2,000 candidates. A candidate must achieve the required pass mark, in both parts of the CRA, within a single examination sitting.

The purpose of this notice is to raise awareness of our upcoming Request for Quotation sourcing activity, gauge accurate levels of market interest, and receive feedback on prospective plans/requirements in advance of the formal procurement process; to be announced in June 2026.

We kindly ask that all interested suppliers complete and submit the response form (please see corresponding Planned Procurement Notice) to Anna Kitoki, at procurement@pharmacyregulation.org by 17:00 on 15.05.2026.

Any interest shown does not constitute a commitment to participate; and failure to show interest does not restrict suppliers from participating in this and/or any other procurement process run by the GPhC.

Due date

15 May 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

22 June 2026