Award

Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)

NHS BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON AND MILTON KEYNES INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 11:46

Summary of the contracting process

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is in the process of awarding a contract for the Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023. This procurement falls within the health industry category, specifically ophthalmologist services, and targets residents in Bedford, Luton, and Milton Keynes. The procurement method is limited, without prior publication of a call for competition. The standstill period commenced on 13th March 2026, with representations due by midnight on 25th March 2026. The contract is intended for one year, starting 1st April 2026, and is valued at £585,471. Approval for this intention to award was given by BLMK ICB Chiefs in September 2025.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for large-scale healthcare providers specialising in optical services. Businesses located within or adjacent to the specified regions—Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes—are well-suited to compete, especially those already engaged in delivering eye care solutions and possessing the infrastructure for both remote and face-to-face consultations. The direct award process C indicates that the existing provider, Ocular Outcomes Ltd, stands a favourable chance due to satisfactory past performance, presenting less direct competition but potential collaboration or service enhancement opportunities. The BLMK ICB seeks to ease the burden on local GPs and hospital departments, presenting expansion potential for established optical practices.

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Notice Title

Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)

Notice Description

Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) provides urgent assessment, and treatment for sudden onset eye problems such as flashes, floaters, vision loss or minor eye injuries, for residents of Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes.
The service aims to reduce pressure on GPs and hospital eye departments by delivering care locally through optical practices, using remote and face-to-face consultations as appropriate.
Patients can self-present or be referred by other healthcare providers. The service is available to adults and children aged 2+ registered with a BLMK GP, as well as eligible residents not registered with a local GP.
Initial telephone triage is followed by remote or in-person assessment, with rapid access to specialist advice and guidance.

BLMK ICB are intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C for the following:

Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)

The contract is for a period of 1 year from 1st April 2026.

The expected lifetime value of the contract is PS585,471.

Procurement 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight 25th March 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded: this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Any written representations should be sent to agem.blmkicb.tntracker@nhs.net.<br/><br/>The BLMK ICB Chiefs (Executives) gave approval of this in September 2025 at the scheduled Chiefs (Executives) Meeting. Conflicts of interests have been managed in line with the ICB's Conflicts of Interest and Standards of Business Conduct Policy.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0669a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022894-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85121281 - Ophthalmologist services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£585,471 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON AND MILTON KEYNES 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
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
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire

Local Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Electoral Ward
Shefford
Westminster Constituency
Hitchin

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OCULAR OUTCOMES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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