Tender

Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England

NHS BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON AND MILTON KEYNES INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

17 Dec 2025 at 11:39

Tender

17 Dec 2025 at 11:26

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is inviting tenders for the provision of sight testing services in special education settings across the East of England. This procurement process, under the Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023, has been initiated as a one-stage competitive procedure. The project includes multiple lots covering Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and Hertfordshire only. The procurement focuses on optician services within the health category, and the estimated total annual value for all lots is £635,528.36, excluding VAT. Businesses interested in submitting a tender must respond by 12:00pm on 16 January 2026, with the service expected to commence on 1 April 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses in the optician services sector to expand their market presence by delivering specialised services in educational environments. Businesses that excel in quality and innovation in healthcare services, and those capable of integrating, collaborating, and sustaining service delivery, will find this tender particularly relevant. The procurement method encompasses an open procedure, inviting competitive bids with stringent selection criteria focused on quality, cost-effectiveness, integration, and social value. Companies that can effectively address health inequalities, improve access, and offer service choices will likely be suited to compete. The potential for extending the contract by an additional year also presents long-term business growth prospects for successful bidders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England

Notice Description

NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) (referred to as the Commissioner) wish to inform the market of opportunities (multiple lots) to provide Sight Testing in Special Education Settings in the East of England for the following Lots:<br/><br/>Lot 1- Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes ICB<br/>Lot 2- Cambridgeshire And Peterborough ICB<br/>Lot 3 - Hertfordshire And West Essex ICB (Hertfordshire only)<br/><br/>The contract length is 1 year with the option to extend for a further year. The service commencement date is 01 April 2026.<br/><br/>It is anticipated that the service provision resulting from the Competitive Process will have an annual value of PS635,528.36, divided as below for Lots:<br/><br/>Lot 1- Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes ICB - circa PS209,000 per annum (excluding VAT)<br/>Lot 2- Cambridgeshire And Peterborough ICB - circa PS204,000 per annum (excluding VAT)<br/>Lot 3 - Hertfordshire And West Essex ICB - circa PS222,528.36 per annum (excluding VAT)(Hertfordshire only)<br/><br/>Please note the deadline for responses is 12:00pm (Mid-Day) on 16 January 2026.

Lot Information

C. Lot 1 - NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB

Lot 1 - NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB

Lot 1 covers the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICBs geographical area. Please access to Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Estimated annual value: circa PS209,000 per annum (excluding VAT)

For details on the Special Education Settings and schools capacity, please access the Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Contract Length: 1 year (+ 1 optional year extension)

The contract is expected to start on 01 April 2026.

Options: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

Renewal: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

D. Lot 2 - NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB

Lot 2 - NHS Cambridgeshire And Peterborough ICB

Lot 2 covers the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICBs geographical area. Please access to Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Estimated annual value: circa PS204,000 per annum (excluding VAT)

For details on the Special Education Settings and schools capacity, please access the Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Contract Length: 1 year (+ 1 optional year extension)

The contract is expected to start on 01 April 2026.

Options: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

Renewal: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

E. Lot 3 - NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB (Hertfordshire only)

Lot 3 - NHS Hertfordshire And West Essex ICB (Hertfordshire only)

Lot 3 covers the Hertfordshire geographical area. Please access to Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Estimated annual value: circa PS222,528.36 per annum (excluding VAT)

For details on the Special Education Settings and schools capacity, please access the Documentation suite on the atamis e-tendering portal for further information.

Contract Length: 1 year (+ 1 optional year extension)

The contract is expected to start on 01 April 2026.

Options: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

Renewal: 1 year contract with option for 1 year extension

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f79b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083743-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender 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

85160000 - Optician services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,271,056 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,271,056 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON AND MILTON KEYNES INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Stacey Thrower
Contact Email
stacey.thrower@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORDSHIRE
Postcode
SG17 5TQ
Post Town
Stevenage
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire
Delivery Location
TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC, TLH21 Luton, TLH23 Hertfordshire CC

Local Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Electoral Ward
Shefford
Westminster Constituency
Hitchin

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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