Published date: 3 November 2025

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.


Closing: 27 November 2025, 5pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

E14 5AA

Value of contract

£10,000 to £40,000

Procurement reference

General Optical Council ITT commercial practices and patient safety

Published date

3 November 2025

Closing date

27 November 2025

Closing time

5pm

Contract start date

1 December 2025

Contract end date

1 April 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes


Description

We are looking to commission qualitative research to understand the nature and extent of commercial practices in the eye care sector and any impact this has on patient safety.

We would like to hear views of GOC registrants (optometrists and dispensing opticians), non-GOC regulated eye care staff (for example, optical assistants), optical businesses (both GOC registered and non-GOC registered), and patient representative groups.

The research will involve designing and conducting the research, then analysing and reporting on the findings.

The aim of the research is to help us better understand:

the nature and extent of commercial practices in the eye care sector;

any detrimental impact on patients and the public;

any detrimental impact on individual registrants (i.e. optometrists and dispensing opticians);

the views of businesses, for example, the balance between providing safe patient care whilst operating in a commercial environment; and

what actions the GOC and the wider eye care sector could take to help mitigate against any detrimental impacts on patients and the public and registrants.

We have an approved budget of up to a total cost of £40,000 including VAT and all other contractor costs. Proposals over £40,000 will not be considered.

The deadline for tenders is 5pm 27 November 2025.
Please send tenders and direct any questions to Angharad Jones (Policy Manager) by email to: ajones@optical.org


More information

Attachments


How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.


About the buyer

Contact name

Angharad Jones

Address

1 Canada Square
LONDON
E145AA
England

Telephone

02073073457

Email

ajones@optical.org

Website

https://optical.org/