Provision of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Delivery Services

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 https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-the-eueea/new-application/how-to-guide/about-the-osce/ and https://www.nmc.org.uk/toc21 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. Additional information: Please formally register to participate in this procurement exercise via the NMC eSourcing portal at: https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/nmc/aspx Home and download the full suite of tender documents for completion. The deadline for the SQ responses is: 17:00 on 19 April 2021.