Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET, SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Jenner House, Unit E3, Langley Park, Avon Way
Chippenham
SN151GG
Contact
Caitlin Dyke
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK - South West (England)
NHS Organisation Data Service
QOX
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Buyer's address
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board
Wynford House, Lufton Way
Yeovil
BA22 8HR
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK14 - Swindon
NHS Organisation Data Service
QSL
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Buyer's address
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board
Vespasian House, Barrack Road
Dorchester
DT1 1TS
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK25 - Dorset
NHS Organisation Data Service
QVV
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Buyer's address
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings for Sight tests and Hearing checks
Reference number
WA18322 / C391213
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Boards (BSW ICB) acting as lead commissioner on behalf of NHS Somerset ICB and Dorset ICB are seeking market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced providers to understand the level of interest in this service and understand the opportunities and barriers in the provision of care within each locality, to assist Commissioners in developing their commissioning approach, lotting structure and service specifications for their Sensory Checks service in Special Educational Settings (SES) for sight testing and hearing checks across the BSW, Somerset and Dorset localities.
The commissioners invite expressions of interest from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings, in line with the specified requirements.
Providers wishing to take part in the market engagement must express an interest within the e-procurement system where providers will be given access to a draft specifications and registration questionnaire.
Completed registration questionnaires (available via the portal) should be submitted no later than 4pm Friday, 20th February 2026 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system in order to receive an invite to the event.
The market engagement event will be held virtually on Thursday 26th February 2026 from 2pm until 4pm via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided for those who express an interest in due course.
Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85121240 - ENT or audiologist services
- 85121281 - Ophthalmologist services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK - South West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Boards (BSW ICB) acting as lead commissioner on behalf of NHS Somerset ICB and Dorset ICB are seeking market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced providers to understand the level of interest in this service and understand the opportunities and barriers in the provision of care within each locality, to assist Commissioners in developing their commissioning approach, lotting structure and service specifications for their Sensory Checks service in Special Educational Settings (SES) for sight testing and hearing checks across BSW, Somerset and Dorset localities.
The services must be person centred with reasonable adjustments and create a supportive needs-led environment to meet the needs of individual children and young people.
The sight testing service will provide in-school sight testing and dispensing to all children and young people in residential and day SES and comprises of:
• Annual sight tests, unless a more frequent interval is clinically indicated.
• Offering corrective lenses where required.
• Manage prompt and appropriate onward referral into appropriate established care pathways if further checks or treatment are required.
• Providing access for any parents/carers/guardians to attend the sight test and selection of frames if they wish to do so.
• Provide an eye health outcome and vision report.
• Working closely with SES staff to ensure the service flexibly aligns with school capacity and schedules.
• Engage with:
o the SES school staff
o parents/carers/guardians
o children and young people attending the SES
o Commissioners
o the local eye health network (where they exist)
o local optical committees
The hearing checks service will provide in-school ear checks for all children and young people attending special residential schools and colleges and comprises of:
• A hearing check twice during their school career with at least two years between checks (max. 3).
• Early identification of potential ear-related problems (hearing loss, ear infections, occluding wax).
• Effective monitoring of the overall health of their ears, including checking for the presence of any infections, blockages, or abnormalities
• Timely intervention and appropriate management to ensure optimal ear health and support the children and young people's overall well-being and adjustments.
• Prompt and appropriate onward referral of potential issues ensuring timely initiation of tests and treatment.
• Provide appropriate information and advice to parents/carers/legal guardians, schools and colleges.
• Provide close collaboration with school staff, parents, and carers to understand the individual child's specific needs.
Further details can be found in the draft specifications via the expression of interest route.
The anticipated annual contract value of the services across all localities is £536,000.
The Commissioners invite expressions of interest from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings, in line with the specified requirements.
Providers wishing to take part in the market engagement must express an interest within the e-procurement system where providers will be given access to a draft specifications and registration questionnaire.
Completed registration questionnaires (available via the portal) should be submitted no later than 4pm Friday, 20th February 2026 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system in order to receive an invite to the event.
The market engagement event will be held virtually on Thursday 26th February 2026 from 2pm until 4pm via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to those who express an interest in due course.
Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
18 March 2026
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This notice is an information gathering exercise rather than a call for competition in its own right, and therefore publication or response does not commit the Authority or respondents to a future procurement, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. The Authority will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise.
Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the live opportunities list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.
Once you have found the opportunity (via the search function, using the title or reference number), to gain full access to the relevant information and market engagement questionnaire, you will need to click on 'Register interest' - this will take you to the log-in page.
If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the documentation and to be able to submit your expression of interest and market engagement questionnaire using the Microsoft Forms link within Atamis.
The intention is to award a contract using the competitive process.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) prior information notice. The contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Procurement Act 2023 do not apply.