250334 - Contract for a Development Programme to Support Foundation Trainee Pharmacists to Prepare for the Common Registration Assessment

The risks identified are considered “known risks” under the Procurement Act 2023. While they cannot be fully eliminated at this stage, the contracting authority will monitor these risks throughout the contract lifecycle. Mitigation measures will include regular performance reviews, contingency planning, and compliance checks to minimize impact on service delivery and value for money.

1.1 Financial Risks

1.1.1 Pricing changes (increases or decreases) introducing financial uncertainty if not clearly defined in the contract.

1.1.2 Supplier insolvency or bankruptcy, leading to service disruption, loss of materials, and potential financial loss.

1.1.3 Unclear ownership or reuse rights over learning materials could result in additional costs to repurchase or redevelop resources.

1.1.4 Budget variation risks if funding or participant numbers change during the contract, affecting payment or service volume.

1.1.5 Whilst estimated quantities may be stated for the purposes of this procurement, these reflect the current funding position and may be subject to change throughout the contract period. It is not possible at this time to accurately predict the future budget position. Queen’s may seek to modify the contract in response to funding increase or decrease over the contract period and this will have a corresponding effect on the volume required under this contract.

1.2 Technical Risks:

1.2.1 Content accuracy risks, where the webinar or materials contain incorrect or misleading information impacting educational integrity.

1.2.2 Poor technical delivery or system failures during webinars that disrupt the session.

1.2.3 Loss of access to learning platforms or trainee data at contract end due to lack of technical continuity or data migration planning.

1.2.4 Integration challenges with internal systems or learning platforms (e.g., LMS compatibility, user access).

1.2.5 Development risks, if future updates or changes to delivery technology are required during the contract period.

1.2.6 Queen’s may seek to modify the contract in future to respond to emerging sustainability requirements, whether derived from Queen’s Net Zero 2040 commitment, or from public policy changes. In addition, the contract may require modification to adapt to strategic commitments made in any forthcoming strategy for Queen’s (expected for the period beyond 2030). This may require additional or reduced requirements, or modifications to the method for delivery of the requirements to meet the strategic objectives.

1.2.7 It is known that there may be potential for development of the delivered requirements or their application which may result in the need for additional consumables or development, which cannot be adequately quantified or estimated at this time, pending future technical developments. Where these developments arise, there will be a resultant impact on performance of the contract in terms of timescales, material availability, service delivery etc. Queen’s may seek to modify the contract in future to respond to any such emerging technological developments, which have a direct impact on the service being provided under this contract.

1.3 Regulatory Risks

1.3.1 Data protection breaches under GDPR, especially concerning trainee data and recorded webinar content.

1.3.2 Compliance with professional standards in pharmacy education and accreditation requirements.

1.3.3 Intellectual property (IP) rights risks, including unclear ownership or improper use of copyrighted materials.

1.3.4 Contractual compliance issues where content, delivery, or assessments fail to meet required regulatory or institutional policies.

1.4 Schedule Risks

1.4.1 Schedule delays in delivering webinars, learning materials, or assessments affecting trainee readiness.

1.4.2 Late delivery of mock exams or content impacting academic timelines.

1.4.3 Non-performance, where the supplier fails to meet agreed milestones or timelines for webinars and assessments.

1.4.4 Transition risk — no clear exit plan causing disruption mid-training cycle if the supplier changes or withdraws.

1.5 Logistical Risks

1.5.1 Access or delivery issues if learning materials or platforms are hosted externally and become unavailable.

1.5.2 Dependence on third-party tools or platforms, leading to disruption if those services fail or licenses expire.

1.5.3 Transfer of materials or data between supplier and organisation not managed securely or efficiently, causing delays or data loss.

1.6 Personnel Risks

1.6.1 Poor delivery quality or substandard performance due to insufficiently trained or inexperienced supplier personnel.

1.6.2 Inconsistent content delivery if key presenters or trainers leave or are replaced mid-contract.

1.6.3 Lack of subject matter expertise impacting the educational value and reputation of the training.

1.6.4 Insufficient communication or coordination between supplier staff and the university team, leading to misalignment or errors.