OPTOMETRY EDUCATION FRAMEWORK

Procurement reference

HEIW-FTS-117084

Procurement 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.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

1440000 GBP to 1440000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

01 January 2026, 00:00AM to 31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 December 2033

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Further information about fees

N/A

Percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Type of framework

Closed

Award method when using the framework

Without reopening competition

Framework operation description

Please check the Invitation to Tender for more details.

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.

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

360000 GBP Excluding VAT

432000 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2033, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

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.

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

Participation

Award criteria

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.

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

360000 GBP Excluding VAT

432000 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2033, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

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.

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

Participation

Award criteria

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.

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

360000 GBP Excluding VAT

432000 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2033, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

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.

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

Participation

Award criteria

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.

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

360000 GBP Excluding VAT

432000 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2033, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

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.

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

Participation

Award criteria

Payment terms

Payment terms are 30 days, all invoices must be submitted electronically and in line with NHS Wales' e-Trading Specification.

Tender submission deadline

12 June 2025, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

30 May 2025, 12:00PM

Date of award of contract

21 November 2025, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml?_ncp=1673535588819.7062504-1ITT - 117084

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Is this a recurring procurement?

No

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated)

09 May 2033, 23:59PM

Languages that may be used for submission

• English