Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)
Ty Dysgu Cefn Coed, Nantgarw,
Cardiff
CF15 7QQ
Contact
SAIRAM KUNURI
Telephone
+44 7435577774
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Health & Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Postgraduate higher qualifications for HEIW
Reference number
HEIW - STA - 742
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
A STA is required for the commissioning of higher qualifications in optometry for the 2024-2025 period, to be delivered by Cardiff University. This is essential to support the upskilling of the optometry workforce in Wales to meet the demands of the new NHS optometry contract. Cardiff University is the sole higher education institution (HEI) in Wales offering the necessary Level 7 qualifications, ensuring accessibility and alignment with workforce needs. Other HEIs in England offer similar courses but are not eligible for Welsh Government funding, making Cardiff University uniquely positioned for this tender.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £178,220
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through a STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7.
Cardiff University is uniquely positioned to deliver these courses, as it is the only higher education institution (HEI) in Wales that provides the requisite qualifications, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality training and excellent outcomes. While similar qualifications are available at HEIs in England, the funding from HEIW is exclusive to Welsh-based optometrists, making Cardiff University the only institution that can access these resources.
Additionally, choosing a Welsh HEI minimises travel time and environmental impact while supporting the Welsh economy. For these reasons, Cardiff University is the only suitable provider for the timely delivery of these qualifications to meet the 2024-2025 workforce requirements and ensure compliance with the new NHS contract standards.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through an STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7.
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-030892
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
H0742
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, 30 36 NEWPORT ROAD
CARDIFF
CF240DE
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £178,220
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:145976)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom