Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL
23 Portland Place
LONDON
W1B1PZ
Telephone
+44 2073339333
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL
https://www.nmc.org.uk/
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://nmcprocurementportal.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://nmcprocurementportal.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Health Regulator
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of Design, Development and Maintenance of the Test of Competence
Reference number
C1122
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80490000 - Operation of an educational centre
- FA01 - For educational use
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) are the independent regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England. Our vision is safe, effective, and kind nursing and midwifery that improves everyone's health and wellbeing. As the independent regulator of more than 758,000 nursing and midwifery professionals, we have an important role to play in making this a reality.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (the 'NMC') is a statutory body governed primarily by the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (the 'Order'). The NMC regulates nurses and midwives in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. From January 2019 the NMC started to regulate the new nursing associate profession in England.
The NMC is seeking a partner for a 3-year contract to manage the development of the NMC's requirements for the design, development, and maintenance of the test of competence. The NMC may extend the Initial Term for a further period of up to one (1) year in total subject to agreement with the Supplier.
The test of competence is designed to assess a candidate's ability to meet the NMC's standards of proficiency and to practise safely, effectively and in accordance with the NMC's Code of Conduct (the 'Code'). The Code contains the professional standards that NMC registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates must uphold.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim of this procurement process is to invite bids for the provision of Design, Development & Maintenance of the Test of Competence
Following the PIN published on FTS on 25 October 2022, Notice reference: 2022/S 000-030010 the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is undertaking a competitive tender process under the Open Procedure, in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the "Regulations").
The test of competence currently comprises two elements. The first element is a computer based test (the 'CBT') which comprises of a number of multiple choice questions designed to assess applicants' theoretical knowledge and numerical understanding; we allow candidates 3 hours to complete the CBT. The second element is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (the 'OSCE') which is a practical simulated assessment of the applicants' practical skills and knowledge. The OSCE comprises 10 stations, with a total testing time of approximately 3 hours. For further information about the Test of Competence, please visit our website: Test of Competence 2021 - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (https://www.nmc.org.uk/).
The Supplier is required to maintain, review develop test content for the following tests of competence:
(a) A modular test of competence for nurses who trained outside the United Kingdom and whose qualifications have not been assessed as comparable to a qualification awarded in the UK, or who have previously been registered but who do not meet our standards for readmission. The test must comprise of a CBT and an OSCE. Separate tests of competence must be designed for applicants to all four fields of the nursing profession, namely:
• Adult nursing;
• Children's nursing;
• Mental health nursing;
• Learning disability nursing;
(b) A modular test of competence for those applying to the nursing associate part of the register who trained outside England and whose qualifications have not been assessed as comparable to a qualification awarded in England, or who have previously been registered but who do not meet our standards for readmission. The test must comprise of a CBT and an OSCE.
(c) A modular test of competence for midwives who trained outside the United Kingdom and whose qualifications have not been assessed as comparable to a qualification awarded in the UK, or who have previously been registered but who do not meet our standards for readmission. The test must comprise a CBT and an OSCE.
(d) An aptitude test for nurses, midwives and nursing associates who trained within the EU or EEA and applied to NMC before 1 January 2021, where shortfalls have been identified between their qualification and a qualification awarded in the UK. The aptitude test must be designed so that applicants can be tested by taking all or part of the test of competence for nurses, midwives or nursing associates who trained outside the EU or EEA (see above). The need for this aptitude test is subject to the continued applicability of the Recognition of Qualifications Directive [2005/36/EC]. To note, the number of candidates who take the aptitude test is small compared to the number of overseas candidates who take the test of competence.
For more information about this tender opportunity, visit the Atamis e-Sourcing portal at the below link:
Responses to the ITT are to be completed electronically using the NMC's e-sourcing portal https://nmcprocurementportal.force.com/s/Welcome ('e-Sourcing Portal')
The e-Sourcing Portal provides a web-based tool that enables the NMC and candidates and tenderers to conduct the strategic activities of the procurement lifecycle over the internet. It provides a simple, secure, and efficient means for managing tendering and quotation activities, reducing the time and effort required for both the NMC (and other buyers) and potential providers / suppliers.
Please note the following project name and reference number allocated to this procurement process ('Procurement') within the e-Sourcing Portal:
Project Name: The Provision of Design, Development & Maintenance of the Test of Competence
Project Reference: C1122
Before completing their Tender Submission, potential candidates and tenderers should ensure that the email address that has been used to register will be checked regularly. Candidates and tenderers should also check that their organisation details are correct and up to date
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The NMC may extend the Initial Term for a further period of up to one (1) Year in total subject to agreement with the Supplier
The anticipated contract value for the three-year term including VAT is estimated at £1,000,000.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
6 March 2023
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
7 March 2023
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Nursing and Midwifery Council
London
W1B1PZ
Telephone
+44 2073339333
Country
United Kingdom