Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)
Ty Dysgu Cefn Coed, Nantgarw,
Cardiff
CF15 7QQ
UK
Contact person: SAIRAM KUNURI
Telephone: +44 7435577774
E-mail: sairam.kunuri@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Health & Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Postgraduate higher qualifications for HEIW
Reference number: HEIW - STA - 742
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
A STA is required for the commissioning of higher qualifications in optometry for the 2024-2025 period, to be delivered by Cardiff University. This is essential to support the upskilling of the optometry workforce in Wales to meet the demands of the new NHS optometry contract. Cardiff University is the sole higher education institution (HEI) in Wales offering the necessary Level 7 qualifications, ensuring accessibility and alignment with workforce needs. Other HEIs in England offer similar courses but are not eligible for Welsh Government funding, making Cardiff University uniquely positioned for this tender.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
178 220.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80430000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through a STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7.
Cardiff University is uniquely positioned to deliver these courses, as it is the only higher education institution (HEI) in Wales that provides the requisite qualifications, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality training and excellent outcomes. While similar qualifications are available at HEIs in England, the funding from HEIW is exclusive to Welsh-based optometrists, making Cardiff University the only institution that can access these resources.
Additionally, choosing a Welsh HEI minimises travel time and environmental impact while supporting the Welsh economy. For these reasons, Cardiff University is the only suitable provider for the timely delivery of these qualifications to meet the 2024-2025 workforce requirements and ensure compliance with the new NHS contract standards.
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation:
The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through an STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7.
Cardiff University is uniquely positioned to deliver these courses, as it is the only higher education institution (HEI) in Wales that provides the requisite qualifications, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality training and excellent outcomes. While similar qualifications are available at HEIs in England, the funding from HEIW is exclusive to Welsh-based optometrists, making Cardiff University the only institution that can access these resources.
Additionally, choosing a Welsh HEI minimises travel time and environmental impact while supporting the Welsh economy. For these reasons, Cardiff University is the only suitable provider for the timely delivery of these qualifications to meet the 2024-2025 workforce requirements and ensure compliance with the new NHS contract standards.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: H0742
V.2 Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession
23/09/2023
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, 30 36 NEWPORT ROAD
CARDIFF
CF240DE
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Total value of the concession/lot:
178 220.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=144843.
(WA Ref:144843)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/09/2024