Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ
UK
Contact person: Stacey Thrower
E-mail: stacey.thrower@nhs.net
NUTS: UKH25
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.bedfordshirelutonandmiltonkeynes.icb.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.bedfordshirelutonandmiltonkeynes.icb.nhs.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England
Reference number: AG25526
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85160000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
******THIS IS AN INTENTION TO AWARD NOTIFICATION******<br/><br/>NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) (referred to as the Commissioner) intends to award a contract to provide Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England, following a robust Competitive Process under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to each the following Providers: <br/><br/>Lot 1- Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes - Affordable Healthcare Ltd t/a Perfect Focus- Affordable Eye Health <br/>Lot 2- Cambridgeshire And Peterborough - Affordable Healthcare Ltd t/a Perfect Focus- Affordable Eye Health <br/>Lot 3 - Hertfordshire And West Essex (Hertfordshire only) - Affordable Healthcare Ltd t/a Perfect Focus- Affordable Eye Health
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
1 271 056.72
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85160000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) (referred to as the Commissioner) intends to award a contract for the provision of Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England, following a robust Competitive Process under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. <br/><br/>The contract length is 1 year with the option to extend for a further year. The service commencement date is 22 May 2026.<br/><br/>Estimated annual value: : £209,000 per annum<br/><br/>This is an existing service and has been awarded to a new provider.<br/><br/>The Key Criteria were weighted as follows;<br/>• Quality and Innovation 37%<br/>• Value 0% <br/>• Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability 42% <br/>• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice 11%<br/>• Social Value 10%
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality and Innovation
/ Weighting: 37
Quality criterion: Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability
/ Weighting: 42
Quality criterion: Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice& Service Sustainability
/ Weighting: 11
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
0
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 year optional extension.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice.<br/><br/>Representations by providers must be made in writing to the relevant authority by 2400hrs (Midnight) on 21st May 2026. Written representations need to be sent via the Atamis e-tendering portal, Project Reference: C407208 - Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England. <br/><br/>This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85160000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) (referred to as the Commissioner) intends to award a contract for the provision of Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England, following a robust Competitive Process under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.<br/><br/>The contract length is 1 year with the option to extend for a further year. The service commencement date is 22 May 2026.<br/><br/>Estimated annual value: : £204,000 per annum<br/><br/>This is an existing service and has been awarded to a new provider.<br/><br/>The Key Criteria were weighted as follows;<br/>• Quality and Innovation 37%<br/>• Value 0%<br/>• Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability 42%<br/>• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice 11%<br/>• Social Value 10%
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality and Innovation
/ Weighting: 37
Quality criterion: Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability
/ Weighting: 42
Quality criterion: Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice
/ Weighting: 11
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
0
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 year optional extension.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice.<br/><br/>Representations by providers must be made in writing to the relevant authority by 2400hrs (Midnight) on 21st May 2026. Written representations need to be sent via the Atamis e-tendering portal, Project Reference: C407208 - Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England.<br/><br/>This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB (Hertfordshire only)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85160000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) (referred to as the Commissioner) intends to award a contract for the provision of Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England, following a robust Competitive Process under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.<br/><br/>The contract length is 1 year with the option to extend for a further year. The service commencement date is 22 May 2026.<br/><br/>Estimated annual value: : £222,528.36 per annum<br/><br/>This is an existing service and has been awarded to a new provider.<br/><br/>The Key Criteria were weighted as follows;<br/>• Quality and Innovation 37%<br/>• Value 0%<br/>• Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability 42%<br/>• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice 11%<br/>• Social Value 10%
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating Choice& Service Sustainability
/ Weighting: 11
Quality criterion: Quality and Innovation
/ Weighting: 37
Quality criterion: Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability
/ Weighting: 42
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Price
/ Weighting:
0
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 year optional extension.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice.<br/><br/>Representations by providers must be made in writing to the relevant authority by 2400hrs (Midnight) on 21st May 2026. Written representations need to be sent via the Atamis e-tendering portal, Project Reference: C407208 - Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England.<br/><br/>This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-083733
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
27/02/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Samreen Uppal Limited
32 deMontfort Street, Leicester
Leicester
LE1 7GD
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 418 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
27/02/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Samreen Uppal Limited
32 deMontfort Street, Leicester
Leicester
LE1 7GD
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 408 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 3
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
27/02/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Samreen Uppal Limited
32 deMontfort Street, Leicester
Leicester
LE1 7GD
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 445 056.72
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.<br/><br/>The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made in writing to the relevant authority by 2400hrs (Midnight) on 21st May 2026. Written representations need to be sent via the Atamis e-tendering portal, Project Reference: C407208 - Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR. <br/><br/>The award decision makers are as below;<br/><br/>Governance Boards:<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Primary Care Commissioning Programme Board <br/>Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB - Primary Care Operating Group & PCCSC<br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Primary Care Commissioning Committee<br/><br/>Project Group:<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Senior Primary Care Development Manager <br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Head of Community & Primary Care Contracting<br/>Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB - Business Partner -Dental / Optom<br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Primary Care Manager – Strategy and Transformation <br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Assistant Director for Primary Care Contracting<br/><br/>Evaluators:<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Finance Business Partner<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Senior Primary Care Development Manager <br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Associate Director Safeguarding and Vulnerabilities<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Senior Primary Care Dental Contracts & Development Manager<br/>Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB - Associate Director of Sustainability and Growth<br/>Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB - Business Partner -Dental / Optom<br/>Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB - Head of Finance – primary Care & Delegation<br/>Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB - Senior Finance Manager<br/>Hertfordshire & west Essex ICB- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead<br/>Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB - Associate Director of Digital Solutions<br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Finance Business Partner – PC <br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Assistant Director Nursing Quality<br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Assistant Director for Primary Care Contracting<br/>Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB - Interim DPO<br/>NHS England (East) and HWE ICB - Senior Clinical Adviser (Optometry)<br/><br/>There was 1 Conflict of interest identified throughout the process, and this was dealt with following reviewing the list of bidding Providers and confirming neither has been a current or past client of the evaluator, who is an independent contractor supporting NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.<br/><br/>Please be aware the decision makers are listed according to previous ICB structures, and the ICBs mentioned have now formed NHS Central East Integrated Care Board. <br/><br/>The Basic Selection Criteria have been scored on a combination of pass/fail and For Information Only. The award criteria for the Key Criteria Questions are as follows and these have been scored on a combination of a 0-5 scoring mechanism and pass/fail:<br/><br/>Key Criteria: Section 1: Quality & Innovation - 37%<br/>Key Criteria: Section 2: Value - Pass/Fail<br/>Key Criteria: Section 3: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability - 42%<br/>Key Criteria: Section 4: Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice - 11%<br/>Key Criteria: Section 5: Social Value - 10%<br/><br/>The evaluation stages are as follows:<br/><br/>Stage 1: Preliminary compliance review<br/>Stage 2: Evaluation of the Basic Selection Criteria responses (Sections A – L). Offers that fail any of the required Pass/Fail questions will be disqualified and not considered further.<br/>Stage 3: Evaluation of responses to the Key Criteria Questions (Sections 1 – 5)<br/>Stage 3a: Moderation<br/>Stage 3b: Clarification (if required, at Commissioners discretion)<br/>Stage 3c: Moderation (if required)<br/>Stage 4: Provider Notification of Evaluation Outcome Providers will be notified of the outcome via the AGCSU e-tendering portal.<br/><br/>Neither the publication of this notice nor the employment of any particular terminology nor any other indication shall be taken to mean that the Contracting Authority intends to hold itself bound by any of the Regulations.<br/><br/>The provider selection process has been led by Arden & GEM CSU.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NHS England Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
London
London
SE1 8UG
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/how-commissioning-is-changing/nhs-provider-selection-regime/independent-patient-choice-and-procurement-panel/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/05/2026