Occupational Health and Associated Services (IIII) Framework Agreement

1. Who we are

Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) delivers collaborative, All-Wales frameworks for public sector organisations in Wales. A full list of Participating Organisations eligible to use the Agreement will be included in the Tender Notice and will include the main public sector buying organisations in Wales. Participating Organisations are entitled, but not obliged, to use WGCD Agreements. There is therefore no guarantee of spend for Suppliers appointed to the Framework.

2. Our Procurement Process

Welsh Ministers intend to commence the procurement in December 2026 for the retender of the Occupational Health and Associated Services (III) Framework Agreement (WGCD-PCS-118-22). The Framework will be established through a competitive procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, applying the light touch provisions applicable to the services. This will enable proportionate use of the flexibilities available for light touch frameworks and contracts while maintaining appropriate competition, transparency and governance. The Framework will provide for the future award of contracts wholly or mainly for light touch health services specified in Schedule 1 to the Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024. The Tender Notice will be published on Sell2Wales and Find a Tender. Suppliers that register an interest through the Preliminary Market Engagement notice, and suppliers associated with relevant CPV codes, will receive notification when the Tender Notice is published. Tender submissions are expected to include:

1) Qualification Questionnaire, including pass/fail requirements

2) Technical Questionnaire, including a scored Social Value question

3) Commercial Questionnaire

Suppliers may bid for as many Lots as they wish. Full requirements will be confirmed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).

3. Draft Timetable

Tender Notice published: December 2026

Tender process and return: Mid to late January 2027

Tender evaluation: February to March 2027

Framework award and go-live: April 2027

This timetable is indicative and may be subject to change.

4. Framework Lotting Structure

WGCD intends to introduce a revised lotting structure for the new Framework. The proposed structure is set out below and remains subject to change before publication of the procurement:

Lot 1: Occupational Health Services

Lot 2: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Lot 2a: Core EAP

Lot 2b: Enhanced EAP

Lot 3: Workplace Assessments and Support

Lot 3a: Therapeutic Support

Lot 3b: Neurodiversity Assessments, Coaching and Support

Lot 4: Employee Eye Care

Lot 5: Physiotherapy Services

Lot 1 – Occupational Health Services This Lot will provide high-quality, clinically led and flexible Occupational Health Services to support Customer Organisations in managing occupational health and attendance matters, meeting statutory health surveillance obligations, preventing work-related ill health and sickness absence, and improving employee health and wellbeing. Services must be clinically appropriate, evidence-based and proportionate to the occupational risks and needs of each Customer Organisation, delivered by appropriately qualified, competent and experienced professionals with access to specialist clinical advice where required. Services must be accessible across Wales through an appropriate combination of in-person, telephone, digital and mobile delivery. Suppliers must maintain clear boundaries between occupational health advice, general wellbeing support, NHS diagnosis and treatment, and services available under other Framework Lots. Personal, health and medical information must be managed lawfully, securely and confidentially in accordance with applicable data protection, clinical governance and record-retention requirements.

Services may include:

Attendance management advice and assessments Case conferences Sickness absence home visits Ill-health retirement Pre-appointment and pre-enrolment checks Functional assessments Health surveillance and monitoring Hearing and baseline hearing tests Health screening Workplace assessments and adjustments Vaccinations, immunisations, inoculations, medications and blood tests Physiotherapy Specialist services Guidance, education and awareness raising Policy, strategy and clinical governance advice Online portals and apps It is anticipated that six Suppliers will be appointed to this Lot, subject to sufficient valid tenders. Lot 2 – Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) This Lot will provide a high-quality and flexible EAP offering confidential support across a range of work-related and personal matters that may affect employees' attendance, performance, mental health or wellbeing. Lot 2a – Core EAP will provide a core EAP centred on confidential 24/7 telephone-based employee support. Lot 2b – Enhanced EAP will provide the core EAP alongside a more comprehensive level of support, including access to up to six counselling sessions following clinical assessment where appropriate.

Services may include:

Website, online portal or app 24-hour, 365-day telephone advice line Short-term brief intervention counselling based on clinical need, delivered by telephone, virtually or face-to-face Health and wellbeing services Health promotion Back-to-work services Trauma and critical incident support Further requirements, including Welsh Language requirements, will be provided in the ITT. It is anticipated that two Suppliers will be appointed to this Lot, subject to sufficient valid tenders. Lot 3 – Workplace Assessments and Support It is anticipated that six Suppliers will be appointed to each sub-lot, subject to sufficient valid tenders. Lot 3a – Therapeutic Support This sub-lot will provide structured specialist counselling and psychotherapy, including Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), burnout support and trauma-focused psychological treatment, including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Associated case support services may also be required on an ad hoc basis. The delivery model and number and duration of sessions will be determined by the Supplier in consultation with the Customer Organisation following appropriate clinical assessment and based on clinical need, evidence and best practice. Services may be delivered virtually or face-to-face as appropriate. This sub-lot combines requirements currently provided under Lot 3 of the existing Occupational Health Framework Agreement (WGCD-PCS-118-22). Lot 3b – Neurodiversity Assessments, Coaching and Support This sub-lot will provide specialist, individualised and workplace-focused neurodiversity assessments to identify workplace needs and barriers and recommend appropriate support and adjustments. These will not be diagnostic assessments, which are available through primary care. Where required, services will also include coping-strategy coaching and practical support to translate assessment findings into tailored strategies, increased confidence and sustainable ways of working. The delivery model and level of support will be determined following assessment and in consultation with the Customer Organisation, based on individual need, evidence and best practice. Services may be delivered virtually or face-to-face. The sub-lot brings workplace assessment, coaching and support together into an integrated pathway aligned with case management. Further requirements will be provided in the ITT. Lot 4 – Employee Eye Care This Lot will provide Employee Eye Care to meet minimum legal requirements relating to eye care for defined display screen equipment users, together with additional requirements for drivers and prescription safety glasses. This will be an All-Wales Lot delivered through a voucher scheme and/or managed service provider model. The Client reserves the right to appoint voucher scheme and managed service providers. It is anticipated that two Suppliers will be appointed, subject to sufficient valid tenders. Further requirements will be provided in the ITT. Lot 5 – Physiotherapy Services This Lot will provide flexible physiotherapy and musculoskeletal services supporting employees to prevent and manage injury, remain in work and return following sickness absence. Services may include physiotherapy, injury prevention and treatment, DSE, ergonomic and functional assessments and associated services, delivered on a structured or ad hoc basis. Suppliers will provide appropriate triage, assessment, treatment and early intervention, with services delivered face-to-face or virtually where appropriate. It is anticipated that six Suppliers will be appointed, subject to sufficient valid tenders. Further requirements will be provided in the ITT. Supplier Registration Welsh Government intends to conduct the procurement through the BravoSolution eTenderWales portal. Suppliers intending to participate should ensure that they are registered on the Central Digital Platform (CDP), accessed through Find a Tender, and Sell2Wales, with their supplier information complete and up to date. The CDP is the UK-wide platform for procurement information, while Sell2Wales operates as the Welsh Digital Platform for devolved Welsh authorities. The CDP enables suppliers to register and store core information for use across procurements, and suppliers can link their unique supplier ID to Sell2Wales. Full details of the contract requirements and tender submission process will be provided in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). The Tender Notice will explain how suppliers can access and participate in the tender.