UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

We are seeking to procure a supplier to develop an electronic Case Management System (CMS) to support the management of Fitness to Practise (FtP) cases by our Regulatory Operations directorate. The CMS must cover all areas of the FtP process. We have developed a working list of needs (Annex A to the Expression of Interest document), but we stress that this is not a specification document (more detailed specifications of our requirements will be provided within the pack at the full tender stage of the procurement process). This working list is provided at this stage to help you to understand the extent of our CMS requirements, so that you can decide whether to express an interest.

We are seeking an analysis of optical businesses to inform our work on possible reform of the Opticians Act 1989. This will involve designing and conducting the research, analysing the findings, and producing a report. The aim of the research is to: build a picture of the size and characteristics of UK optical businesses; assess the benefits and risks these businesses present; and estimate costs of different options for extending business regulation. https://optical.org/en/publications/invitation-to-tender-mapping-optical-businesses/

We are seeking a primarily desk-based analysis of international comparisons with countries where refraction and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person (as would normally be the case in a sight test carried out in the UK), to inform our work on possible reform of the Opticians Act 1989 ('the Act') and associated GOC policies. This will involve designing and conducting the research, analysing the findings, and producing a report. The aim of the research is to: learn more about eye health models in countries where the refraction and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person (even where one person takes responsibility for both processes); compare avoidable sight loss rates in those countries with the UK's rates of avoidable sight loss and analyse the reasons for the differences in rates; and obtain an up to date figure (and costs) of avoidable sight loss in the UK.

We are seeking expert clinical advice to understand: how the sight test is delivered by commercial providers of optical services across the four nations of the UK; the possible impacts where the refraction, binocular vision and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person, both with and without the oversight/supervision of an optometrist or registered medical practitioner; the possible impacts where the refraction, binocular vision and eye health checks are not carried out at the same time or in the same place, both with and without the oversight/supervision of an optometrist or registered medical practitioner; and more about the role of orthoptists in refraction and sight testing. The research will help inform our work on possible reform of the Opticians Act 1989 ('the Act') and associated GOC policies. This will involve designing and conducting the research, analysing the findings, and producing a report.

We are looking to commission deliberative research to understand the views of patients and the general public on whether dispensing opticians should be permitted to carry out refraction for the purposes of the sight test, and, if so, under what circumstances and regulatory controls. This will involve designing and conducting the research, then analysing and reporting on the findings. The research, alongside other evidence on this topic, will inform our policy development as part of its call for evidence on legislative reform project. The aim of the research is to help us better understand: views and perceptions of both patients and the public on these issues, including on the core question of whether dispensing opticians should be allowed to refract for the purposes of the sight test; if dispensing opticians were permitted to refract, should this be limited in some way, e.g. only under the supervision of an optometrist or registered medical practitioner; and what additional regulatory safeguards would give patients and the public confidence in the system and mitigate any risks.

General Optical Council wants to replace current MyGOC System with new MyGOC System, Registrant/Professional Membership System. This tender is to find a supplier for the development/implementation (ready made or custom built) of new MyGOC and support the system. the procurement is 2 stage -- a) Expression of Interest (this stage) and b) Invitation to Tender for shortlisted suppliers at stage1.

General Optical Council wants to replace current MyGOC System with new MyGOC System, Registrant/Professional Membership System. This tender is to find a supplier for the development/implementation (ready made or custom built) of new MyGOC and support the system. the procurement is 2 stage -- a) Expression of Interest (this stage) and b) Invitation to Tender for shortlisted suppliers at stage1.

We are seeking a market research agency to conduct an annual quantitative survey of GOC business registrants. The GOC's register contains nearly 3,000 businesses which provide services such as performing the sight test / eye examination and sell spectacles, contact lenses and other optical appliances. A draft questionnaire has been developed and this will need to be refined, but the main tasks for the agency will be carrying out the fieldwork, analysing the findings, and producing a written report and associated outputs.

We are seeking a market research agency to conduct an annual quantitative survey with patients and members of the public across the UK to explore their views and experiences of optical services. We have carried out this survey since 2015 exploring areas such as satisfaction levels with sight tests, confidence and trust in the optical professions, shopping habits and technology advancements. The tender is for three waves of the survey over 2024-26.

Sight testing models vary across the UK. Technology is evolving and models are developing where parts of the sight test are carried out remotely from the patient and sometimes different elements are carried out by different people in different places and/or at different times. We are seeking clinical and regulatory expert advice to: 1) develop a risk-based framework to understand the risks of the different elements of a sight test not being carried out at the same time, by the same person and/or in the same place; and 2) identify possible viable methodologies considering factors like cost, time and sampling considerations that would test the risk-based framework in a real-world situation with patients. See the full invitation to tender for more information: https://optical.org/en/about-us/get-involved/tenders/ Please send tenders and direct any questions to Marie Bunby (Policy Manager) by email to mbunby@optical.org The deadline for tenders is 10am on 2 November 2023.

We are seeking a market research agency to conduct an annual survey with GOC registrants to help track registrants' experiences of working in clinical practice and views and perceptions of the GOC. We most recently carried out three waves of the survey in 2021 - 2023 (with one standalone survey in 2016). We expect to keep many existing questions for tracking purposes but will also explore new topics each year. The tender is for three waves of the survey over 2024-26. For more information please visit the GOC website: https://optical.org/en/about-us/get-involved/tenders/

Our requirements are that:(a) The service must be free to users and will be funded by the GOC;(b) The service must be demonstrably independent of the NHS, UK Government, optical professionals and optical professional bodies;(c) The service must treat individuals fairly, regardless of their background, characteristics or circumstances and the service provider must collect EDI data (with appropriate regard to data protection legislation);(d) The service must be unbiased and resolution-focused;(e) The service must be visible on the Internet and have a dedicated web presence via the www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk domain (which will continue to be owned by the GOC);(f) The service must not be subcontracted unless the GOC has agreed this in advance in writing;(g) The service must have a documented appeal and review mechanism for circumstances where the proposed resolution is not accepted;(h) The service must operate a mechanism for consumers to complain about the Service, if they are dissatisfied;(i) The service provider must work closely with the GOC and abide by the published 'Working Together' policy(j) The service provider must work with the GOC and with the optical profession to further establish awareness of the service and to promote its benefits to the profession.(k) The service provider must collect trend and outcome data and must publish an annual report in the form that previous annual reports have taken;(l) The service provider must report annually to the GOC Council; and(m) The service provider must maintain the OCCS service on the list of accredited ADR providers pursuant to the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015

Our requirements are that: (a) The service must be free to users and will be funded by the GOC; (b) The service must be demonstrably independent of the NHS, UK Government, optical professionals and optical professional bodies; (c) The service must treat individuals fairly, regardless of their background, characteristics or circumstances and the service provider must collect EDI data (with appropriate regard to data protection legislation); (d) The service must be unbiased and resolution-focused; (e) The service must be visible on the Internet and have a dedicated web presence via the www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk domain (which will continue to be owned by the GOC); (f) The service must not be subcontracted unless the GOC has agreed this in advance in writing; (g) The service must have a documented appeal and review mechanism for circumstances where the proposed resolution is not accepted; (h) The service must operate a mechanism for consumers to complain about the Service, if they are dissatisfied; (i) The service provider must work closely with the GOC and abide by the published ‘Working Together’ policy (j) The service provider must work with the GOC and with the optical profession to further establish awareness of the service and to promote its benefits to the profession. (k) The service provider must collect trend and outcome data and must publish an annual report in the form that previous annual reports have taken; (l) The service provider must report annually to the GOC Council; and (m) The service provider must maintain the OCCS service on the list of accredited ADR providers pursuant to the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015

1.1 The General Optical Council (GOC) is conducting a Procurement for External Audit Services. This procurement is run on behalf of the GOC, referred to as 'the Authority'. 1.2 This procurement is being run under the Public Contract Regulation 2015 Open Procedure. 1.3 The Authority is looking to commence Contracts in April 2024. The Contract will be for an initial period of 3 years, with the option for the Contract to be extended in increments of at least 12 months, with a maximum Contract duration of five (5) years in total. 1.4 The Authority is looking to award Contracts to one Supplier 2.1 The GOC is the UK-wide statutory regulator for the optical professions in the UK and our mission is to protect and promote the health and safety of the public. We currently register around 33,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists, student dispensing opticians and optical businesses. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.optical.org. 2.2 The GOC is a registered charity and is overseen by a Council of 12 members, 6 lay and 6 optical professionals. 2.3 Our charitable purpose and statutory role are to protect and promote the health and safety of members of the public by promoting high standards of professional education, conduct and performance among optometrists and dispensing opticians and those training to be optometrists and dispensing opticians. We have four core functions: - setting standards for optical education and tra... ensure that there are regular liaison meetings between the Auditors team and the GOC's lead contact. 2.6 Whilst audit activity is to be based on the Supplier's audit risk assessment in any year, the excepted annual audit activity that will support this requirement is expected to be in the region of: Activity (Days) Planning meeting (0.5) Attendance at Audit and Risk Committee (4.0) Interim Audit fieldwork (1 week) (5.0) Final Audit fieldwork (circa 2-3 weeks) (15.0) Interim and Final Completion meetings (0.5) GOC Offices 2.7 The Authority has one office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. The Finance team is located here. Although we work in a hybrid fashion, it is our expectation that any onsite fieldwork will take place at our office. Sources of information 2.8 The following sources of information may support your knowledge of GOC and the requirement: - The GOC Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22 - The GOC Strategic Plan 2020-25 - The GOC Business Plan and Budget 2023-24 - The GOC Contract and Procurement Policy Management arrangements 2.9 The Supplier is required to provide a representative who will be responsible for the delivery of the Service. The Supplier's Manager will liaise with GOC's Authority's Manager. 2.10 The GOC will provide access to the necessary staff, systems, and financial records in facilitation of the Contract. 2.11 Quarterly Contract management meetings between the Supplier's Manager and the Authority's Manger are required.

General Optical Council (GOC) wants to buy 65 units of Lenovo laptop computers as per the below description. Item Details Brand & Model: Lenovo P14s/21HF000UUK. Minimum HD Specifications: Minimum 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 14" screen size, Minimum i7 processor. Warranty:3Y Premier Support Plus upgrade from 3Y Courier/Carry-in (5WS1L39388) Delivery Service: The bid must offer delivery to the GOC London office at 10 Old Bailey, with option to deliver each laptop to users' home addresses (all within the UK). Extra services: To get the hardware ID for each laptop for them to be enrolled into Autopilot. Date Posted; 12th of March 2024 Deadline for Suppliers Questions 15th of March 2024 Deadline for bids submission: By 5pm on the 20th of March 2024.

Sight testing models vary across the UK. Technology is evolving and models are developing where parts of the sight test are carried out remotely from the patient and sometimes different components are carried out by different people in different places and/or at different times. We are seeking clinical and regulatory expert advice to develop a risk-based framework to understand the risks of the different components of a sight test not being carried out at the same time, by the same person and/or in the same place. This invitation to tender comes as we review the Opticians Act 1989 and associated GOC policies following a call for evidence in 2022 to consider whether any changes are required to further protect the public. This includes a review of any provisions relating to testing of sight.

The requirements of the service are: Conduct of investigative work on the GOC’s behalf in relation to fitness to practise allegations relating to registered opticians and optical businesses Preparation for, and presentation, of the GOC’s case at substantive Fitness to Practise Committee hearings Occasional preparation for, and presentation of the GOC’s case at non-substantive hearings (interim order applications/reviews/extensions, substantive order reviews) and Registration Appeal Committee hearings Provision of advice relating to the conduct of individual investigations into the fitness to practise of GOC registrants, and relating to interpretation of GOC legislation and rules Provision of training to Committee members, Case Examiners and GOC staff.

The requirements of the service are:Conduct of investigative work on the GOC's behalf in relation to fitness to practise allegations relating to registered opticians and optical businessesPreparation for, and presentation, of the GOC's case at substantive Fitness to Practise Committee hearingsOccasional preparation for, and presentation of the GOC's case at non-substantive hearings (interim order applications/reviews/extensions, substantive order reviews) and Registration Appeal Committee hearingsProvision of advice relating to the conduct of individual investigations into the fitness to practise of GOC registrants, and relating to interpretation of GOC legislation and rulesProvision of training to Committee members, Case Examiners and GOC staff.

We are seeking a market research agency to conduct qualitative research into the lived experiences of particular patient and GOC registrant groups and the difficulties they face in accessing, using, or delivering eye care. Patients • GOC research suggests that some patient groups (such as those with a disability, ethnic minorities and those experiencing difficult life circumstances such as financial or personal difficulties) report greater difficulties in accessing and using eye care services. GOC registrants • GOC research suggests that particular groups of optometrists and dispensing opticians (such as those with a disability, females and ethnic minorities) are more likely to experience challenging working conditions which can impact on their ability to deliver safe patient care. We have an approved budget of up to £70,000 including VAT and all other contractor costs. Proposals over £70,000 will not be considered. The deadline for tenders is 5pm 29 October, with a view to delivering the final report by the end of March 2025.