--- title: "Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066137" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066137" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066137.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066137.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "GENERAL OPTICAL COUNCIL" published: "2026-03-03" --- # Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council Buyer: GENERAL OPTICAL COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066137 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066137) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066137.json) ## Summary The General Optical Council, situated in London, is actively soliciting tenders for the provision of independent decision reviews related to its fitness to practise referrals. This contract, titled "Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council," falls within the industry category of business services encompassing law and consultancy. The procurement process is currently in the tender phase, with key deadlines including the enquiry period ending on 6th April 2026 and submission deadline on 10th April 2026. The project is set to commence in June 2026, aiming for the delivery of the first draft by September 2026. The total contract value is capped at £140,000 for a maximum six-year period involving four independent reviews, with potential extensions post reviews. This tender presents opportunities for businesses capable of delivering high-quality, objective assurance services in alignment with regulatory practices. Ideal candidates include SMEs and VCSEs experienced in risk assessment, governance, and legal compliance within the public undertaking sector. The open competition offers scope for demonstrating expertise in contract management, quality assurance, and strategic reporting. Firms well-versed in consulting and law with experience in handling organisational risks, thematic analysis, and client satisfaction will find this contract a substantial growth opportunity, especially those with a strong understanding of GOC values and culturally fitting service delivery. ## Notice The General Optical Council (GOC) seeks an external provider to independently review a sample of decisions made in connection with its fitness to practise referrals. The provider will be engaged to provide independent, objective assurance and advice to support the GOC in discharging its duties in relation to protection of the public. This activity will be undertaken on an 18-month cycle with a sample of cases from the previous 12-18 months. The purpose of the review is to provide the GOC with assurance over the quality, consistency and reasoning of its fitness to practise decisions. This includes how risk, proportionality and public protection are considered and recorded within decisions. Reviews are also intended to monitor compliance with legal, technical and procedural requirements. The activity undertaken will consider decisions made across our fitness to practise processes. The provider will work closely with our management team to take a risk-based approach to assurance, identifying common themes and areas for scrutiny to ensure that the GOC has a comprehensive view of how its decisions on individual cases contribute to its regulatory and strategic objectives. The GOC is committed to ensuring the highest standards of governance, assurance and value for money. These statement of requirements is for an independent provider to deliver high-quality services from June 2026 with a view to producing a draft report of the first review by September 2026. Total value: PS140,000 maximum (tenders submitted above this will be automatically discounted) Contract length: a maximum of six years (delivery of four independent reviews on an 18-month cycle, with the first review commencing summer 2026) Additional information: the contract will be reviewed after two independent reviews, with parties having an option extend the contract for a further two independent reviews. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: the contract will be reviewed after two independent reviews, with parties having an option extend the contract for a further two independent reviews. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019071-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 10 Apr 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £116,666 | | Lots value | £116,666 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | GENERAL OPTICAL COUNCIL | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | East London | | Postcode | E14 5AA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI42 Tower Hamlets | | Local authority | Tower Hamlets | | Electoral ward | Canary Wharf | | Westminster constituency | Poplar and Limehouse | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ## Release History - 3 Mar 2026 at 15:13 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019071-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019071-2026 3rd March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=633324 Full tender notice and guidance. ## Notice URLs - http://www.optical.org - https://optical.org/ - https://optical.org/Tenderscanbesubmittedbyemailtoamackaysim@optical.org - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066137. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066137.json.