Provision of the NMC OSCE delivery services

This is a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to advertise that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) plans to run a procurement process during 2021 to identify and appoint a number of partners who will work with us to provide the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) part of our Test of Competence. The appointed service provider(s) will deliver the OSCE examination on behalf of the NMC and be responsible for delivering their services with the targets as described within the NMC’s relevant statement of requirements and supporting documentation.The existing Test of Competence comprises two parts, the Computer Based Test (CBT) consisting of a number of multiple choice questions and a practical objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Together, these components seek to provide a holistic assessment of a candidate’s ability to practise safely and effectively in the UK. Please find the link to our website which provides more information about the OSCE www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-the-eueea/new-application/how-to-guide/about-the-osce/ . As part of our remit to support both health and social care across the four countries (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), the NMC has committed to working closely with the NHS to ensure ongoing OSCE capacity to support their international nursing recruitment programme, aimed at expanding additional supply and supporting trusts to reduce their nursing vacancies. The government have committed to recruit 50,000 new nurses to the register by 2024. A significant proportion of that number are expected to come from overseas.The new OSCE delivery contracts will continue to be concession contracts, similar in form to the existing contracts. The re-procurement exercise allows us to build upon and improve the existing partnering model we have already established. The maximum contract duration will be five years, comprising of an initial term with extension options.Concessions Contract Regulations 2016 (CCR) allows for a two stage ‘restricted’ style tender process to be used. This process would allow the NMC to assess and shortlist bidders in two stages. Only shortlisted bidders are then invited to submit a tender. This approach fits within our timeline and ensures there is sufficient contingency to on-board new concessionaires if they are successful in the tender process.The NMC has issued this Prior Information Notice (PIN) in order to conduct a market engagement exercise ahead of a forthcoming tender for the provision of the OSCE services. Before tendering for these services the NMC wishes to better understand the market and variety of options available which will help inform the eventual procurement exercise. Providers interested in partaking in this market engagement exercise are requested to express an interest in this PIN via the In-tend e-Sourcing portal https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/nmc where Market engagement stage has been published (Project Name: Provision of the NMC OSCE Delivery Services, Project reference: REG-00000295). The questionnaire may be completed and returned via the In-tend portal by midday 15/02 /2021 to allow us to gather feedback from the market and assist in developing the procurement strategy. Additional information: Please note no tender documents have been issued at this stage - the functional requirements and capability specification will be published in the future SQ and Invitation to Tender documents with the Find a Tender Contract Notice. The procurement will use the Intende-Sourcing portal https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/nmc