- Lot 1A. Lot 1a. Level 7/8 courses with a hybrid course delivery
- Lot 1B. Lot 1b. Level 7/8 courses with a fully remote course delivery.
- Lot 1C. Lot 1c. Level 7/8 courses that commence not in line with the academic year.
- Lot 1D. Lot 1d. Level 7/8 courses where a placement can or is be provided by the supplier.
Scope
Reference
HEIW-FTS-117084
Description
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) established in 2018 is a Special Health Authority which sits alongside Health Boards and Trusts in NHS Wales. HEIW have a detrimental role in the education, training, development and shaping of the healthcare workforce in Wales.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), acting as the Commissioner, is seeking to establish a Non-Commital Framework Agreement for the provision of optometry education and training across Wales. This initiative aligns with national policy objectives and responds to the healthcare needs of the Welsh population. The aim is to support the delivery of high-quality, flexible postgraduate education (modules, PGCert, PGDip, MSc) that reflects current and emerging clinical practice in optometry.
The Framework Agreement supports:
• Building resilience in the healthcare system
• The adoption of digital and remote learning tools
• Inter-professional and integrated education models
• Responsiveness to NHS Wales and Welsh Government policy needs
• Compassionate leadership development
• Quality improvement and collaboration
Accessed through HEIW, the framework agreement will provide a cadre of service providers who can deliver high-quality education for the Optometry team within Wales.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,440,000 excluding VAT
- £1,728,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029
- Possible extension to 31 December 2033
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
The Framework Agreement will be for a period of 4 years, commencing on 01 January 2026 and ending 31 December 2029, with an option to extend for a further 4 years in two 24-month increments.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKL - Wales
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
The Non-Commital Framework is structured into Lots to enable flexibility and specialisation. Bidders may apply to one or more Lots, and there is no limit to the number of courses that bidders may put forward :
Lot 1 - Postgraduate Modules, PGCert, Diploma, and MSc Programmes at Educational Levels 7 and 8 (but not an exhaustive list):
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Med Ret)
Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc)
Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Prof Cert CL)
Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)
Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Higher Cert Glauc)
Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)
Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina (Higher Cert Med Ret)
Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Higher Cert CL)
Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)
Diploma in Glaucoma (Dip Glauc)
Independent Prescribing Course for Optometrists
Laser Course for Ophthalmic Professionals
Sub-Lots (1a-1d) will reflect different delivery methods:
On-campus/hybrid
Remote/online only
Flexible/atypical scheduling
Courses involving provider-led placements
Lot 1A. Lot 1a. Level 7/8 courses with a hybrid course delivery
Description
Lot 1a. Level 7/8 courses with a hybrid course delivery.
Modules, PGcert, Diploma and MSc at educational level 7/ 8 covering (but not an exhaustive list):
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Med Ret)
Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc)
Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Prof Cert CL)
Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)
Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Higher Cert Glauc)
Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)
Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina (Higher Cert Med Ret)
Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Higher Cert CL)
Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)
Diploma in Glaucoma (Dip Glauc)
Independent Prescribing Course for Optometrists
Laser Course for Ophthalmic Professionals
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £360,000 excluding VAT
- £432,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 1B. Lot 1b. Level 7/8 courses with a fully remote course delivery.
Description
Lot 1b. Level 7/8 courses with a fully remote course delivery.
Modules, PGcert, Diploma and MSc at educational level 7/8 covering (but not an exhaustive list):
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Med Ret)
Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc)
Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Prof Cert CL)
Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)
Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Higher Cert Glauc)
Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)
Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina (Higher Cert Med Ret)
Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Higher Cert CL)
Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)
Diploma in Glaucoma (Dip Glauc)
Independent Prescribing Course for Optometrists
Laser Course for Ophthalmic Professionals
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £360,000 excluding VAT
- £432,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 1C. Lot 1c. Level 7/8 courses that commence not in line with the academic year.
Description
Lot 1c. Level 7/8 courses that commence not in line with the academic year.
Modules, PGcert, Diploma and MSc at educational level 7/8 covering (but not an exhaustive list):
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Med Ret)
Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc)
Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Prof Cert CL)
Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)
Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Higher Cert Glauc)
Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)
Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina (Higher Cert Med Ret)
Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Higher Cert CL)
Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)
Diploma in Glaucoma (Dip Glauc)
Independent Prescribing Course for Optometrists
Laser Course for Ophthalmic Professionals
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £360,000 excluding VAT
- £432,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 1D. Lot 1d. Level 7/8 courses where a placement can or is be provided by the supplier.
Description
Lot 1d. Level 7/8 courses where a placement can or is be provided by the supplier.
Modules, PGcert, Diploma and MSc at educational level 7/8 covering (but not an exhaustive list):
Professional Certificate in Low Vision (Prof Cert LV)
Professional Certificate in Medical Retina (Prof Cert Med Ret)
Professional Certificate in Glaucoma (Prof Cert Glauc)
Professional Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Prof Cert CL)
Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Prof Cert Paed Eye Care)
Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma (Higher Cert Glauc)
Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision (Higher Cert LV)
Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina (Higher Cert Med Ret)
Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lens Practice (Higher Cert CL)
Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care (Higher Cert Paed)
Diploma in Glaucoma (Dip Glauc)
Independent Prescribing Course for Optometrists
Laser Course for Ophthalmic Professionals
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £360,000 excluding VAT
- £432,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
N/A
Framework operation description
Please check the Invitation to Tender for more details.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1A. Lot 1a. Level 7/8 courses with a hybrid course delivery
Lot 1B. Lot 1b. Level 7/8 courses with a fully remote course delivery.
Lot 1C. Lot 1c. Level 7/8 courses that commence not in line with the academic year.
Lot 1D. Lot 1d. Level 7/8 courses where a placement can or is be provided by the supplier.
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1A. Lot 1a. Level 7/8 courses with a hybrid course delivery
Lot 1B. Lot 1b. Level 7/8 courses with a fully remote course delivery.
Lot 1C. Lot 1c. Level 7/8 courses that commence not in line with the academic year.
Lot 1D. Lot 1d. Level 7/8 courses where a placement can or is be provided by the supplier.
Please check the Invitation to Tender and specification for more details.
Submission
Enquiry deadline
30 May 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 June 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
21 November 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 9 May 2033
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Price | 60.00% |
| Technical | Quality | 40.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
Payment terms are 30 days, all invoices must be submitted electronically and in line with NHS Wales' e-Trading Specification.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)
- NHS Organisation Data Service: RQF
Ty Dysgu Cefn Coed, Nantgarw,
Cardiff
CF15 7QQ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Lynsey Reynolds
Telephone: +443300585005
Email: Lynsey.Reynolds3@wales.nhs.uk
Website: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Region: UKL15 - Central Valleys
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales