Following a market engagement (2026/S 000-065663) published on 13 July 2026, the London Borough of Brent published an Intention to Follow the Most Suitable Provider process on 20/08/2026. Brent Council intends to commission a comprehensive Child Vision Screening Service for reception-aged children (4-5 years) attending mainstream across the London Borough of Brent. The service aligns with UK National Screening Committee recommendations for vision screening in children. The contract will be for an initial period of 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years at the discretion of the Council and subject to satisfactory financial and contractual performance. Organisation were provided with the full set of requirements of the Child Vision Screening Service, and needed to register on the Council's e-Tendering portal to access the MSP documentation and submit their Expression of Interest response. The deadline for submitting completed Expression of Interest response was 1pm, on Thursday 3rd September 2026. The estimated contract Commencement Date is 22/11/2026.

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 22/10/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Written representations should be sent to [email protected] Award decision-makers by Corporate Director Service Reform and Strategy on 08/10/2026, https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7854 Any declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision and how these were managed - No conflicts were declared The criteria and weightings applied were settled and published to the market on 20/08/2026, before the assessment was carried out, and were as follows together with the rationale: Quality and innovation - 30% Primary purpose of the service is to identify visual impairment and amblyopia early and accurately. The quality of screening, clinical leadership, workforce expertise, referral processes and adherence to guidance are critical to achieving the intended outcomes. Innovation is also important to improve uptake, accessibility, follow-up and service effectiveness. As poor-quality screening could result in missed diagnoses and poorer outcomes for children, this criterion carries the greatest weighting. Value - 20% The Council has a responsibility to secure value for money and ensure public funds are used efficiently. However, cost should not outweigh service quality or clinical effectiveness. A moderate weighting ensures providers demonstrate efficient use of resources and sustainable delivery models while maintaining high standards of care and performance. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - 20% Strong partnership working is essential to ensure children move seamlessly from screening into assessment and treatment services. The provider must work effectively with schools, families, community eye care providers and hospital services, while maintaining workforce capacity and service continuity throughout the contract. Given the importance of referral pathways, continuity of care and long-term service resilience, this criterion receives a high weighting. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - 20% As a universal screening programme, equitable access is fundamental. The provider must be able to achieve high coverage across all schools, support children who miss screening opportunities, reduce barriers faced by diverse communities and ensure parents can make informed choices. This weighting reflects Brent's commitment to reducing health inequalities and ensuring all eligible children benefit from timely identification of vision problems. Social value - 20% Social value is an important consideration and may provide additional benefits for Brent residents through community engagement, environmental sustainability, local employment opportunities and eye health promotion. In this service, these benefits are supplementary to the core objective of delivering a safe, effective and accessible vision screening service. Consequently, this criterion receives the lowest weighting. Rationale for choosing the provider with reference to the key criteria - Quality and Innovation, Score 5/5 = 30% The Provider has experience of offering a high-quality, HCPC registered Orthoptist led vision screening service with an established track record of delivering comparable services. Through its delivery of the school vision screening programme in another London borough, the provider has demonstrated robust clinical governance, effective referral pathways, quality assurance processes and adherence to UK National screening Committee, British and Irish Orthoptic Society guidance. This provides assurance that the provider has the capability and experience to deliver a safe, effective and high-quality service for Brent residents. Value, Score 5/5 = 20% The provider demonstrated strong value for money through an established and efficient service delivery model led by experienced orthoptists, existing systems and proven operational processes. The provider's experience of delivering a comparable programme at scale provides confidence that the service can be delivered effectively while maintaining quality, performance and efficient use of public resources. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability, Score 5/5 = 20% The provider has experience of effective partnership working through its experience of delivering integrated vision screening services involving schools, families, primary care and specialist eye care services. The provider has established referral pathways, communication processes and governance arrangements that support continuity of care and timely access to treatment. In addition, the provider has demonstrated organisational resilience, workforce expertise and business continuity arrangements that support the long-term sustainability of the service. Improving Access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice, Score 5/5 = 20% The provider has experience delivering accessible school-based screening programme that supports high levels of participation and early identification of visual impairment. Delivery within school settings by an orthoptic led team helps minimise barriers to access and promotes equitable access to screening services for eligible children. The provider's experience of delivering services in other diverse London boroughs populations provides assurance that the service will support improved outcomes and timely access to appropriate care. Orthoptists are uniquely qualified to work with children with learning disabilities and special educational needs, further improving access and reducing health inequalities. Social Value, Score 4/5 = 8% The provider demonstrated social value through its contribution to improving children's health and wellbeing by supporting the early identification and treatment of visual impairment. Early intervention can have a positive impact on children's development, educational attainment and long-term health outcomes. The provider also demonstrated a commitment to workforce development through the training and supervision of specialist staff, supporting the delivery of a sustainable and high-quality service, although a commitment to supporting local employment would strengthen the supplier’s capability. Total Score 98% / 100%

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning Child Vision screening as part of the healthy child programme and it is recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. Screening for reduced vision in children aged 4 to 5 years is primarily undertaken to detect children with amblyopia, a form of abnormal vision system development. In Brent, approximately six thousand reception children are eligible annually for the vision screening service. The previous provider delivered the service as part of the 0-19 healthy child programme, but following a review of the service it was decided this would be no longer commissioned. The proposed service will re-establish a universal, orthoptic-led vision screening programme across Brent primary schools for all eligible reception children. The service will operate on an opt-out basis to maximise uptake and will include school-based screening, catch-up provision for children who miss their initial appointment, referral into appropriate eye care services where required, and follow-up to ensure children access recommended assessment and treatment. The model places a strong emphasis on equitable access, an orthoptic led service, robust referral pathways, safeguarding, quality assurance and performance monitoring to improve outcomes for Brent children. This notice is an intention to award a contract under the most suitable provider process. Approximate lifetime value of the contract: £397,750 As set out above, this service was not commissioned, but the Council intend to re-establish a universal, orthoptic-led vision screening programme across Brent primary schools for all eligible reception children. This service will be delivered by a new provider. Dates between which the services are intended to be provided: Period of three years with the option to extend the contract on an annual basis for up to a further maximum period of 2 years. Assuming the contract is entered into on 23/11/2026, the contract will end by the initial period on 22/11/2029, and if the optional extension are utilised, the revised contract end date will be 22/11/2031.

Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 22/10/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Address where written representations should be sent: [email protected]

Lot 1: Bids: 1 Lot 1: Sme bids: 0 Lot 1: Foreign bids from eu: 0 Lot 1: Foreign bids from non eu: 0 Lot 1: Electronic bids: 1