UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) intends to award a contract to Doctors Academy for the provision of cadaveric teaching for surgical skills training. The proposed contract will cover the supply of cadavers and associated anatomy facilities, mortuary services, consumables, equipment, and administrative support required to deliver specialist cadaver‑based surgical education for trainees in Wales. This award is intended to support the continuation of a bespoke cadaveric training programme developed by HEIW and the School of Surgery, addressing reduced clinical exposure resulting from changes in surgical training pathways and the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Cadaveric teaching is recognised as an essential component of surgical skills development and curriculum delivery. The proposed award is being pursued via a Single Tender Action due to the highly specialised and regulated nature of cadaveric services, including licensing, storage, and anatomy facility requirements, which are only available through Doctors Academy in Wales. Awarding this contract will ensure continuity of training provision, deliver value for money, and avoid significant financial and logistical burdens that would otherwise fall on surgical trainees if required to access equivalent services outside Wales.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has established a non‑committal Framework Agreement for the provision of psychometric testing tools and associated services to support staff development across Wales. The Framework covers a broad range of assessments across five Lots, including personality profiling, team effectiveness tools, 360° leadership assessments, personal and leadership development assessments, and composite leadership effectiveness tools. The Framework will operate for three years from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. No guaranteed level of spend or volume of work is committed to any supplier. The total potential value of the Framework across all suppliers and all Lots is £400,000 (ex VAT) over the full term.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a contract via Single Tender Action to BRIEF Therapy UK Ltd – Centre for Solution Focused Practice for the provision of online, tutor‑led Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) training, covering Levels 1–4 and an advanced train‑the‑trainer certification programme. The contract provides essential continuation of psychological interventions training for the mental health workforce and is being awarded as an interim measure while the wider Mental Health Education Framework Agreement is being finalised for implementation in mid‑2026. Without this award, a substantial cohort of staff awaiting training would face delays of up to a year, placing pressure on workforce development timelines and SMHWFP commitments.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a contract via Single Tender Action (STA‑869) to the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) for the provision of a three‑year leadership scholarship programme for nurses and midwives across Wales. The scholarship will support four participants per year to undertake an established and nationally recognised advanced leadership development programme designed to strengthen leadership capability within the NHS Wales nursing and midwifery workforce. The Florence Nightingale Foundation is the sole provider of this scholarship programme, which is uniquely positioned within the UK to offer a high‑quality, evidence‑based leadership development experience delivered through a UK‑wide and international network. Their programme enables participants to develop enhanced leadership, transformational, and system‑wide influence skills while engaging with peers from across the health sector. The programme is recognised for cultivating future senior nursing and midwifery leaders and supporting long‑term succession planning within NHS Wales.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) awarded a contract via Single Tender Action to Michael West and Associates for the provision of expert consultancy services to support the embedding of compassionate leadership and culture across NHS Wales. This work aligns with HEIW’s 2025 remit letter from the Welsh Government, focusing on leadership development, staff retention, and cultural transformation within the healthcare system. The contract will run from the date awarded for two years, with a possible 12-month extension.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) awarded the contract to a supplier to co-design, implement, and deliver the Graduate Programme Assessment Centre 2026 as part of the NHS Wales General Management Graduate Programme, a key priority within HEIW’s Integrated Medium Term Plan. The programme aims to develop a sustainable and inclusive pipeline of future NHS leaders to meet the evolving needs of the Welsh population and public services. The appointed provider will work collaboratively with HEIW to design bespoke assessment exercises aligned to the national NHS Wales Success Profile, deliver a robust digital situational judgement tool, plan and facilitate a hybrid (virtual and/or face-to-face) assessment centre, and provide comprehensive training and reusable branded materials for assessors. The solution must be evidence-based, fully inclusive, accessible, and compliant with equality legislation and Welsh Language Standards, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout. This procurement will support HEIW’s statutory workforce planning obligations and long term strategy to develop leadership capacity across NHS Wales, directly contributing to national health priorities such as A Healthier Wales and the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) intends to award a single Tender Action to CGI IT UK Ltd for the delivery of discovery, alpha and beta planning services for Work Package 2 of the Codi Project. The services will build on existing work delivered under Work Package 1 and must align with the current technical architecture and systems. The scope includes leading a discovery phase, validating existing documentation, defining requirements, assessing delivery constraints and non-functional requirements, and producing an alpha plan and outline approach for subsequent beta delivery.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has established a Non-Commital Framework Agreement for the provision of optometry education and training services across Wales. The Framework will support the delivery of high-quality, flexible postgraduate education programmes at Levels 7 and 8, including modules, Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert), Diplomas (PGDip), and Masters (MSc) qualifications.The Framework Agreement will run for four years (01 January 2026 – 31 December 2029) with an option to extend for up to a further four years (in two 24-month increments). No guaranteed level of spend or volume of work is committed to any supplier. The total potential framework value across all suppliers and all lots is £1,640,000 (ex VAT) over 8 years.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a contract to the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) for the delivery of a Critical Care Foundation Course aimed at pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working within critical care settings. This training supports workforce transformation by upskilling pharmacy professionals to meet the growing demand for critical care services in Wales. The programme consists of four virtual modules, including pre-learning content, case-based discussions, online assessments, and access to a dedicated learning community. The course is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for those starting out in critical care or providing occasional cover during surge periods.

HEIW has sought to establish a multi-provider Framework Agreement to commission and procure modules in Independent Prescribing, Supplementary Prescribing, and Community Independent Prescribing (V150) at levels 7, via blended and distance learning routes. The education will enable individuals to extend their practice within appropriate professional standards

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a contract to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to provide expert support in launching and mobilising the NHS Wales Management and Leadership Competency Framework. The contract covers: Development of an operating model for medical, clinical, and triumvirate leadership. Alignment with national leadership frameworks. Mapping of NHS Wales programmes to national standards.

HEIW awarded a single tender contract to Omniplex (Group) Limited for delivery of the Articulate licences and add-ons for existing licences for HEIW. Omniplex are the sole provider, the only official/authorised UK/Europe reseller for Articulate 360 ensuring continuity and value for money.

HEIW awarded a single tender contract to Devices for Dignity (D4D) for delivery of the Healthcare Science Innovation Fellowship Programme in Wales. D4D are the sole provider with existing programme infrastructure and expertise, ensuring continuity and value for money.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) awarded a direct contract to Cardiff University for the provision of postgraduate Level 7 qualifications in Optometry and Eye Care. Cardiff University is currently the only Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Wales offering these specialist qualifications, which are essential to deliver the Welsh Government’s contract reform and workforce upskilling agenda in optometry. Due to the urgent requirement to maintain continuity of service and meet national targets, this award is required to cover the period while a full procurement exercise is ongoing.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a direct call-off contract to Decision Analysis Services Ltd (DAS) via the Bloom NEPRO³ framework for Phase 2 of its strategic workforce planning project. This phase builds upon the outputs of Phase 1 and focuses on refining workforce demand models, supporting scenario analysis, and enhancing internal analytical capability across NHS Wales. The contract ensures continuity, avoids transition costs, and supports data-driven workforce planning by maintaining collaboration with the incumbent supplier.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has awarded a contract to Bangor University for the delivery of funded undergraduate pharmacy clinical placements for Year 1 MPharm students from August 2025 to August 2026. The contract supports the implementation of the 2021 General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) education and training standards. Bangor University is the only provider able to deliver these placements for their inaugural pharmacy cohort under the Welsh Government-funded Education and Training Plan. The award ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and continuity in delivering mandated experiential learning.

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) awarded a direct contract to Hicom Technologies Ltd (parent company: Vitalhub UK Limited) for the continued provision and support of the Intrepid IT system. The proposed contract covers a 3-month extension from 1st July 2025 to 30th September 2025, with an option for an additional 3-month period ending 31st December 2025. The Intrepid system is a proprietary platform developed and supported exclusively by Hicom Technologies Ltd. Due to technical constraints and compatibility requirements, including the need for uninterrupted access to critical trainee data and payroll functionality, no alternative supplier can provide the required services. This extension ensures continuity of service while the transition to a new system is being resolved following issues encountered during the initial rollout.

To support the ongoing development of Tier 3 talent within the NHS Wales system, HEIW wishes to purchase a range of leadership diagnostic /psychometric reports from Korn Ferry. This request is aligned with the NHS Wales Succession Strategy 20217-2027, and the ongoing commitment outlined in HEIW’s 3-year strategic plan, referenced in the recent Welsh Government’s remit letter (Feb 2025).

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has undertaken a strategic review of health professional education and training across NHS Wales. HEIW commissions both pre-registration and post-registration qualifications for the NHS Wales workforce. HEIW identified a requirement to procure a framework agreement for the provision of work based learning qualification development, including individual units/modules or qualifications at education levels from Entry Level 1 to Level 8. This is to notify the refresh for the HEIW Provision of Work-Based Learning Qualification Development Framework which was undertaken in 2022. The Contract Award Notice to which this is associated is: 2023-129769

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) are undertaking a review of Health Professional Education and Training Services delivered to NHS Wales. HEIW have sought to procure Ultrasound Education and Training to address the increased demand for ultrasound education in Wales, with a national shortage of NHS sonographers.