Published date: 5 January 2026

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


Closing: 6 February 2026, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Health services - 85100000

Location of contract

South East

Value of contract

£11,405,000 to £15,967,000

Procurement reference

C401955

Published date

5 January 2026

Closing date

6 February 2026

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

30 November 2026

Contract end date

29 November 2033

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

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

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

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The South East Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are seeking suitably qualified Providers to deliver at-scale sight testing and dispensing of spectacles services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Special Educational Settings (SES) across the region.

This procurement covers five lots aligned to the current six and future four ICB structures, ensuring continuity through planned mergers and boundary changes:
Lot 1: Thames Valley - Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East
Lot 2: Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including North East Hampshire
Lot 3: Kent and Medway
Lot 4: Surrey, including Surrey Heath and Farnham
Lot 5: Sussex

Please note: This procurement begins with 6 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the South East. From 1 April 2026, these will reduce to 4 ICBs:
• NHS Thames Valley ICB - bringing together Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East (formerly BOB ICB and part of Frimley ICB)
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB will expand to include North East Hampshire
• Kent and Medway ICB remains unchanged
• Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Sussex and Surrey including Surrey Heath and Farnham

Children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities face significant barriers to accessing routine eye care. Evidence from the 2021 NHS England Proof of Concept (POC) programme showed that delivering sight tests and dispensing services directly within SES is both effective and impactful.

This service aims to ensure that eligible children and young people in SES across the South East are offered an annual sight test, unless clinically inappropriate. The goal is to reduce health inequalities, improve educational outcomes, and support better quality of life through timely identification and management of vision needs.

For further information please see the service specification and the engagement report published on the NHS England website.
• Service specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cyp-send-oral-and-sight-testing-service-specifications/
• Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-children-and-young-people-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/

The contracts will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are due to commence in 2026.

The maximum total contract values for the initial 5 years (excluding optional 2 year extension) for each lot are as follows:
Lot 1: £2,355,000
Lot 2: £2,180,000
Lot 3: £3,265,000
Lot 4: £1,625,000
Lot 5: £1,980,000

The maximum total contract values, including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years) for each lot are as follows:
Lot 1: £3,297,000
Lot 2: £3,052,000
Lot 3: £4,571,000
Lot 4: £2,275,000
Lot 5: £2,772,000

All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, at the latest.

More information

Additional text

The General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES) will apply. Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding.
The General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES) will apply. Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding.

The Commissioners are of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability.

All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, at the latest.

Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

How to apply

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

About the buyer

Address

South East Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
Windsor
SL4 3DP
England

Email

scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net