Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-CHC-1150137",
    "name": "General Optical Council"
  },
  "date": "2026-03-03T15:13:01Z",
  "id": "019071-2026",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066137",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "E14 5AA",
        "region": "UKI42",
        "streetAddress": "Level 29"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "amackaysim@optical.org",
        "name": "Andy Mackay-Sim",
        "telephone": "+442075803898"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public undertaking",
            "id": "publicUndertaking",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ],
        "url": "http://www.optical.org"
      },
      "id": "GB-CHC-1150137",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "1150137",
        "scheme": "GB-CHC"
      },
      "name": "General Optical Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "description": "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. \nThe 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. \nThe 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.  \nThe 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. \nTotal value:  \u00a3140,000 maximum (tenders submitted above this will be automatically discounted) \nContract length: a maximum of six years (delivery of four independent reviews on an 18-month cycle, with the first review commencing summer 2026)  \nAdditional information: the contract will be reviewed after two independent reviews, with parties having an option extend the contract for a further two independent reviews. ",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Full tender notice and guidance.",
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "id": "L-1",
        "url": "https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Authority/NoticeBuilder/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=633324"
      },
      {
        "datePublished": "2026-03-03T15:13:01Z",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "019071-2026",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019071-2026"
      }
    ],
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-06T12:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "id": "RegOps0326",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security",
            "id": "79000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Describe your approach to planning the activity set out in the requirements. Include how you would: \nidentify thematic areas of risk; and \nalign your approach to the relevant legislation, standards, guidance and procedures, and regulatory frameworks. ",
              "name": "Planning activity  ",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 20.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Detail your approach to delivering the review cycle.   \nIn your response, please include your approach to: \nUnderstanding and assessing organisational risk. \nResourcing requirements (skills mix and duration). \nProvide a sample of standard reporting documents and detail how they will be used in the provision of your services  ",
              "name": "Delivering review activity",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 20.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Please propose key personnel who will be responsible for the management of the contract, delivery of the services and provision of feedback. \nFor each key personnel, please set out their roles within the contract, and how their knowledge, skills and experience meet the necessary requirements for the delivery of this contract. In formulating your response, you should include examples of recent work that showcase their knowledge, skills and experience.  \n(Please note \u2013 the number of personnel will not be a factor in decision-making, though the panel will consider how the knowledge, skills and experience of any personnel match the requirements of the contract)  ",
              "name": "Key personnel",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "It is important to the GOC that it receives a good level of service throughout the contract.  \nPlease detail your approach to contract management including how you will: \nmanage the overarching contract and the delivery of services. \ndevelop and maintain effective relationships. \ndeliver continuous improvements throughout the contract. \nensure client satisfaction through the contract. \nBidders must explain how they aim to deliver continuous improvement of the service provided throughout the contract. \nPlease propose 5 KPIs that will support the effective performance of the contract. The following details should be included as a minimum: \nKPI name \nKPI description  \nProposed reporting frequency  \nSet out how the KPIs will support effective performance \nThe successful supplier\u2019s proposed KPIs will be subject to discussion and once agreed will form part of the contract.   \nPlease detail your proposed approach to contingency arrangements and knowledge transfer should one or more of the key personnel become unavailable during the contract (e.g., by reason of sickness, maternity or paternity leave, termination of employment. etc.). \nPlease explain how you would ensure that high quality services are provided throughout the life of the Contract. As part of your answer, please detail your internal quality assurance procedures. ",
              "name": "Contract management",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 20.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Please set out the costs of your proposal, including your proposals for added value and knowledge sharing with the GOC.  \nAs a minimum this should include: \na detailed breakdown of estimated costs for contract activity and time undertaken; \nevidence that this is competitively priced; and \nknowledge, best practice and lessons learnt from other comparable and relevant organisations.",
              "name": "Cost, Added Value and Knowledge Sharing",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 20.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Describe how your team ensures alignment with GOC values while maintaining professional independence. ",
              "name": "Cultural fit",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10.0,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-05-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2032-05-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": null,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "the contract will be reviewed after two independent reviews, with parties having an option extend the contract for a further two independent reviews. "
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "value": {
          "amount": 116666.67,
          "amountGross": 140000.0,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://optical.org/\nTenders can be submitted by email to amackaysim@optical.org",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-10T12:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "title": "Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council",
    "value": {
      "amount": 116666.67,
      "amountGross": 140000.0,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}