Establishment of a Panel of Technical Support Services for the delivery of computer-based testing

Panel of Sub-Regional Suppliers We are inviting Small and Medium Enterprises across Ireland that meet the criteria for technical support services to apply to join the panel on an ongoing basis over the term of this contract. The rates for technical support staff will be fixed. The ERC will be responsible for managing the panel, managing applications to the panel and allocating work that the Main Contractor is not in a position to take on. A list will be updated on the ERC website at least annually reflecting the current panel members. Overview The Educational Research Centre (ERC), on behalf of and with support from the Department of Education and Youth, delivers a range of large-scale national and international assessments in schools across Ireland. These studies assess student achievement and skills in key areas such as reading, mathematics, science, and Irish language, and are carried out on a cyclical basis. • TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) – Assesses mathematics and science at Fourth Class and Second Year. Next cycle: Field Trial in 2026 (~70 schools) and Main Study in 2027 (~300 schools). • NAMER (National Assessment of Mathematics and English Reading) – National curriculum-based study at Second and Sixth Class. Next cycle: Field Trial in 2027 (≤40 schools) and Main Study in 2028 (~150 schools). • PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) – Assesses reading literacy at Fourth Class. Next cycle: Main Study in 2026 (~155 schools). • PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) – OECD-led skills-based study of 15–16-year-olds. Next cycle: Field Trial in 2028 (~55 schools) and Main Study in 2029 (~180 schools). • TGD (Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach) – Standardised test of Irish reading and listening. Paper-based first, with digital pilot and standardisation studies planned from 2027 onwards. Across these studies, testing is expected to be delivered online, where possible, with an offline option for schools with connectivity challenges. For most studies, schools will primarily use their own devices and IT infrastructure, supplemented where necessary by laptops hired by the ERC. All Technical Support staff dispatched to schools must be Garda Vetted, have demonstrable technical expertise, and must have attended the Contracting Authority training session specific to each study/project cycle. All Technical support staff are required to: 1. Receive delivery of laptops, carry out testing to assess their functionality (including testing of software encryption), and confirm that all laptop batteries can hold sufficient charge. Liaise with the Contracting Authority and/or the laptop provider to confirm checks and take delivery of any replacement laptops needed. 2. Liaise with schools (and any additional personnel attending to support testing, where relevant) in accordance with ERC procedures in advance of testing to arrange set-up times and location. 3. Ensure laptops are fully charged and transport the laptops to schools, and set-up computers (i.e., turn on device, connect mouse and charger, launch software, connect to Wi-Fi or network, as required) and testing rooms (often in classrooms) as per the guidelines that will be provided by the ERC. The Technical Support team’s responsibility is to include sufficient tape, cable covers, a minimum of 4 long extension leads per session within a school (2/3 parallel sessions per school), and a minimum of 5 plug adapters. The Technical Support teams must ensure that all cabling and power connections are installed in compliance with health and safety requirements, including the secure management and protection of wires and power cables. 4. Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting during the assessment (records of any technical issues must be noted using forms provided). 5. For offline testing, copy and upload student data after the student assessment is complete. This is a core aspect of the Technical Support role**. 6. Work with Test Administrators to track which ERC laptops are assigned to each student for each test session. It is the responsibility of Technical Support staff to maintain an inventory of each student whose data is contained on each laptop and/or USB (where required). Technical support staff are responsible for the security (including access to encryption codes/passwords) of each ERC laptop and USB key (where required) assigned to them for the duration of the project. In the event of a data breach, it is critical that the Contracting Authority knows which data subject(s) have been affected in order to follow the necessary steps as required by the law**. 7. Notify the Contracting Authority once the data has been successfully uploaded to the servers and provide information on the number of files uploaded to the Project Team on a daily basis using the forms provided. 8. After the assessment is complete, Technical Support staff must ensure that the ERC laptops are correctly switched off, pack them up and transport them back to the Technical Support location for secure storage and re-charging. 9. For offline testing, conduct back-up data harvest after all testing has concluded**. 10. Carry out final checks on laptop functionality post-testing and report faults to ERC. Facilitate secure transfer of ERC laptops to laptop suppliers. The laptop supplier will be responsible for the collection of the laptops from the technical support supplier and for the comprehensive wiping of all personal data from laptops at the end of the project. 11. All personnel must always communicate and behave in a professional manner when liaising with schools. Please use the link for the application form https://www.erc.ie/about/about-the-erc/procurement/