NHSE986 - Eye Testing in Special Education Settings in North East and Cumbria - CP

NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

27 Apr 2026 at 14:15

TenderUpdate

04 Aug 2025 at 08:49

Planning

04 Aug 2025 at 08:34

Summary of the contracting process

NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is conducting a tender process for the provision of eye testing services in special education settings across the North East and North Cumbria. The procurement falls under the health and social work services category, with specific focus on optician services. The tender is currently in the active stage with submissions due by 12:00 on 26 May 2026. The tender is divided into three lots covering North Cumbria, Northumberland and surrounding areas, and Durham and Tees and Sunderland, with services anticipated to commence on 1 November 2026 and run initially for three years with an option to extend for another two. The contracting authority utilises an electronic tendering tool, Atamis, for communication and submissions.

This tender opens significant opportunities for growth in the healthcare sector, specifically within optician services, with a combined annual contract value exceeding £1.9 million across the three lot locations. Businesses adept in quality assessment, service innovation, health inequality reduction, and collaboration are highly suitable to compete, given the award criteria focus on these areas alongside social value and cost efficiency. The open procurement method ensures a competitive environment, ideal for experienced providers looking to expand their reach within specialised educational environments, contributing to social impact through improved access to health services and integration within the community.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

NHSE986 - Eye Testing in Special Education Settings in North East and Cumbria - CP

Notice Description

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is a commissioning support service working for and on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria (the Relevant Authority) who are undertaking a competition to provide Eye Testing Services in Special Education Settings (SES) in the North East and North Cumbria. Contract Start Date: 01 November 2026 Contract End Date: 31 October 2029 The contract term is for a period of 3 years. The contract term is for an initial period of 3 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - North Cumbria

Provision of Eye Testing Services in Special Education Settings (SES) in North Cumbria. The contract term is for a period of 3 years commencing on 01 November 2026. Annual Contract value: PS26,874 (Total value over 3 year Term: PS134,369) This is a New Service. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Regulations 2024 (Procurement Act 2023) and/ or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The closing date for submission of competition response is by 12noon on 26 May 2026.

Options: The contract term is for an initial period of 3 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance.

Lot 2 - Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle Gateshead

Provision of Eye Testing Services in Special Education Settings (SES) in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle Gateshead. The contract term is for a period of 3 years commencing on 01 November 2026. Annual Contract value: PS277,910 (Total value over 3 year Term: PS1,386,552) This is a New Service. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Regulations 2024 (Procurement Act 2023) and/ or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The closing date for submission of competition response is by 12noon on 26 May 2026.

Options: The contract term is for an initial period of 3years commencing on 01 November 2026 with an option to extend for a further 2years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance

Lot 3 - Durham and Tees and Sunderland

Provision of Eye Testing Services in Special Education Settings (SES) in Durham and Tees and Sunderland. The contract term is for a period of 3 years commencing on 01 November 2026. Annual Contract value: PS283,221 (Total value over 3 year Term: PS1,416,104) This is a New Service. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Regulations 2024 (Procurement Act 2023) and/ or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The closing date for submission of competition response is by 12noon on 26 May 2026.

Options: The contract term is for an initial period of 3years commencing on 01 November 2026 with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056bf4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038133-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

85160000 - Optician services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR5 3XB
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD1 Cumbria

Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Washington and Gateshead South

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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