NEC SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED

NEC OptoMize

OptoMize is available as SaaS or Private Cloud, supporting Diabetic Eye Screening with robust clinic, appointment, patient record, grading, reporting, and integration features.

Features

• Clinic management
• Appointment booking
• Patient record management
• Automated recall pathways
• Camera integration
• Grading
• Letter management
• Reporting
• Flexible configuration
• SMS messaging

Benefits

• Streamlines diabetic eye screening workflows for increased efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with UK diabetic eye screening standards/guidelines.
• Enhances patient safety through automated recall pathways/clear record-keeping.
• Improves patient engagement with tools, SMS messaging/appointment reminders.
• Delivers robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decision-making.
• Supports flexible deployment options, SaaS, private/public/hybrid cloud models.
• Secure/resilient data management to protect sensitive patient information.
• Facilitates easy integration with clinical equipment and GP systems.
• Flexible configuration to tailor workflows/features to service needs.
• Automates administrative tasks letter management/appointment booking, reducing staff workload.

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at psbidmgmt@necsws.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

386498266175110

Contact

NEC Frameworks Team
07852 936231
psbidmgmt@necsws.com

About the service

• Service categories:
  • Application Development and Deployment
    • Data management
      • Database administration and development
        • Database Administration
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model:
  • Public cloud
  • Private cloud
  • Hybrid cloud
• Service constraints: None
• System requirements:
  • Windows Server environment with latest security updates applied.
  • Microsoft SQL Server database for patient/screening data storage.
  • Secure network connectivity for data exchange/remote support access.
  • Approved diabetic eye screening cameras with integrated SDK support.
  • Active Directory integration for user authentication and role management.
  • Antivirus software installed, regularly updated on all virtual machines.
  • Sufficient disk space for image storage/nightly data warehouse rebuild.
  • Reliable backup solution for patient records and configuration settings.
  • PDF viewer/printer drivers for generating and printing correspondence.
  • Internet access for software updates and external reporting compliance.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: We respond promptly to all logged incidents via our ITSM Support Portal. Target response times during contracted hours are: Critical issues within 15 minutes, medium within 30 minutes, low within 60 minutes, and minor or advice within one working day. Weekend response times are the same as weekdays, ensuring consistent service every day.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Core Service Hours: 08:30–17:00 UK time, Monday–Friday; 24/7 portal/email for logging support requests; Priority 1 phone support available; Service Level Targets: Availability: 99.7% quarterly; Priority 1 fix: Resolution within 4 Core Hours; Priority 2 fix: Resolution within 1 Business Day; Priority 3 fix: 85% resolved within 3 Business Days; Priority 4 fix: 75% resolved within 90 days.
• Support available to third parties: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: We provide a comprehensive onboarding process to ensure a smooth start with NEC OptoMize. New customers receive detailed user documentation, including step-by-step guides for system configuration, patient pathway setup, and reporting. Online training sessions are available for administrators and end-users, covering core functionality, workflows, and best practices. These sessions can be delivered live via video conferencing or accessed as recorded modules for flexible learning.; For organisations requiring additional support, we offer onsite training delivered by our implementation specialists, focusing on local workflows and integration requirements. Our onboarding includes configuration assistance for interoperability standards (HL7/FHIR), secure data transfer, and user access management.; Dedicated project managers work closely with buyers during implementation to ensure compliance with NHS standards and organisational policies. We also provide access to our ITSM Support Portal for ongoing guidance and troubleshooting.; This structured approach ensures users are fully equipped to operate NEC OptoMize effectively from day one, with tailored training and documentation to meet programme-specific needs.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: PDF
• Documentation accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the documentation is accessible: Onboarding user guides are provided through the Ivanti HelpHub, giving users a central and easily searchable online location to access all relevant materials. HelpHub content is delivered in accessible digital formats that support standard browser‑based accessibility features, ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard navigation.; Users who require documentation outside of the HelpHub environment will receive it directly from the Project Manager, ensuring that all onboarding information remains accessible even during early setup or when system access is limited.; Offboarding documentation is also coordinated and provided by the Project Manager, ensuring that all required information is supplied in accessible digital formats and delivered directly to the appropriate stakeholders. This approach ensures that both onboarding and offboarding materials are consistently accessible, clearly presented, and simple for users to retrieve whenever needed.
• End-of-contract data extraction: When the contract ends, NEC OptoMize ensures that all customer data can be securely extracted in compliance with NHS and GDPR requirements. We provide a structured offboarding process that includes full data export of patient records, screening history, and associated documents. Data is supplied in standard formats such as CSV for demographic and clinical data, and PDF for correspondence, ensuring compatibility with downstream systems.; Our technical team works with the customer to schedule and validate the extraction process, maintaining data integrity and confidentiality throughout. Secure transfer methods, including encrypted file delivery or NHS-approved secure transfer protocols, are used to protect sensitive information.; Customers can also request a complete image archive and audit logs as part of the extraction. Once data transfer is confirmed, all residual data within NEC OptoMize is securely deleted in accordance with ISO 27001 and NHS data retention policies.; This approach guarantees that organisations retain full ownership of their data and can transition smoothly to alternative solutions without disruption to patient care or compliance obligations.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract, we follow a structured offboarding process to ensure a smooth and compliant transition. This includes secure extraction of all customer data, such as patient records, screening history, correspondence, and audit logs, in standard formats (CSV, PDF) for easy migration to alternative systems. Data transfer is validated and completed using encrypted methods approved under NHS Information Governance and GDPR requirements. Once confirmed, all residual data within OptoMize is securely deleted in line with ISO 27001 and NHS retention policies.; Included in the contract price:; • Full data extraction in standard formats; • Secure deletion of residual data; • Access to user documentation for offboarding; Additional costs may apply for:; • Bespoke data formatting or transformation; • Extended support beyond the agreed offboarding period; • Physical media delivery or non-standard transfer methods; This process ensures organisations retain complete ownership of their data and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements while transitioning without disruption to patient care.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: No
• Application to install: Yes
• Compatible operating systems: Other
• Designed for use on mobile devices: No
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: None or don’t know
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: NEC OptoMize offers a dedicated REST API designed exclusively for integration with the Medisoft ophthalmology system, enabling seamless interoperability between diabetic eye screening and ophthalmology care. Through this secure API, users can exchange referral and diabetes-related information with Medisoft and receive real-time updates on ongoing ophthalmology treatment, ensuring continuity of care and accurate patient records. The API supports recognised healthcare interoperability standards, including HL7 and FHIR, to maintain compliance with NHS data exchange requirements. Users can configure secure data transfer settings, initiate referrals, and update patient treatment details directly via the API, streamlining workflows and reducing manual intervention.; However, the API is not a general-purpose or open interface. It is restricted solely to Medisoft integration and cannot be used for broader system setup or unrelated changes. Access is controlled and provided only for approved integrations, ensuring security and data governance. The API is not freely available for external development, and there is no public sandbox environment. Comprehensive documentation is supplied in PDF format, following Government Digital Services best practice guidelines, to support implementation and configuration. This focused approach ensures robust, compliant, and efficient integration for organisations using NEC OptoMize alongside Medisoft.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: PDF
• API sandbox or test environment: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: NEC OptoMize offers a range of customisation options to meet the specific needs of screening programmes and healthcare organisations. Buyers can customise patient pathways, appointment types, recall intervals, and grading workflows to align with local clinical protocols and operational requirements. Additionally, correspondence templates, SMS notifications, and reporting outputs can be tailored to reflect organisational branding and communication standards.; Customisation is achieved through the system’s configuration settings, which allow authorised administrators to adjust parameters without requiring code changes. Advanced customisation, such as adding new data fields or modifying integration points, can be implemented by our technical support team in collaboration with the buyer.; Only users with appropriate administrative permissions can make configuration changes within the application. For more complex customisation, such as bespoke reporting or interoperability enhancements, changes are managed by NEC’s implementation specialists to ensure compliance with NHS standards and data governance policies.; This flexible approach ensures NEC OptoMize can be adapted to local workflows while maintaining system integrity, security, and interoperability.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: NEC OptoMize is hosted on a secure, scalable infrastructure designed to ensure resource independence for all customers. Each buyer operates within a logically segregated environment, preventing any impact from other users’ demand. Dedicated virtual machines and database instances are allocated per organisation, supported by load balancing and auto-scaling technology to maintain consistent performance. Our architecture includes capacity planning and proactive monitoring to guarantee uptime and responsiveness even during peak usage. This approach ensures that service delivery remains stable, secure, and unaffected by external demand, providing reliable performance for all screening programmes.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: NEC OptoMize provides detailed service usage metrics, including user activity, number of screenings processed, grading turnaround times, appointment volumes, and system performance indicators such as uptime and response times. These metrics help organisations monitor operational efficiency and compliance with NHS standards.
• Reporting types:
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request
• Resource tagging: No
• FOCUS resource tagging: No

Supplier type

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Supplier-defined controls
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with another standard
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Scale, obfuscating techniques, or data storage sharding
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: NEC utilise a variety of cloud and datacentre infrastructure, including NEC Managed datacentre services and public cloud platforms such as Azure, OCI and AWS. In addition to encryption, various measures are implemented such as active monitoring and robust access processes to protect data at rest. These controls are regularly reviewed by our Security Architects to ensure they are relevant to current threats and only authorised users can access customer data.; NEC Hosted Datacentres are approved against the Police-Approved Secure Facilities (UK) standard. All data centre services are ISO27001:2022 certified.
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Data Erasure
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase
  • Physical Destruction / Hardware containing data is completely destroyed
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Users can export data directly through NEC OptoMize’s built-in export tools or via secure transfer managed by our support team. Exports include patient records, screening history, correspondence, and audit logs. Data is provided in open formats for interoperability and compliance with NHS and government standards.
• Data export formats: CSV
• Data import formats: CSV

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
• Other protection between networks: Private MPLS circuits or equivalent and FastConnect. NEC hosted solutions can be accessed using a fixed circuit or IPsec VPN. Access uses encrypted TLS 1.2 connection with 2048-bit RSA/SHA256 encryption keys, recommended by National-Cyber-Security-Centre (NCSC). NEC implements attack protection involving our perimeter firewall, traffic manager and application-specific filters. Our perimeter firewall supports intrusion detection/intrusion prevention and has request-flooding protection based on thresholds and dynamic address blocking based on feeds from high confidence sources. Traffic manager and application-specific filtering is implemented that recognises and dynamically blocks sources of unusual high-volume traffic, typical of an attack that is outside of expected bounds.
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Privileged user access to Windows servers requires an encrypted TLS channel configured to use industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 protocol with 2048-bit RSA/SHA256 encryption keys, as recommended by NCSC. Privileged user access to Linux servers, Unix Servers and network devices is configured to use SSHv2 using AES-256 encryption.; All hosted services are backed up to the NEC Backup solution, where data is encrypted using AES-256 encryption when transferring data from the system to the backup devices.

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: A Service Level Agreement is provided as part of the documentation pack. The SLA covers all aspects of the service, providing contractually committed service performance targets for: call logging, incident management and resolution, incident escalations, service availability, service performance and change management. The SLA also sets out the parameters, content and schedule for the service performance reports.
• Approach to resilience: The service is deployed on a fault tolerant infrastructure including full disaster recovery. Multiple servers, networks links and sans are employed to ensure there is no single point of failure in the underlying infrastructure and a comprehensive suite of proactive monitoring tools are used to ensure early warning of any possible service impact problem.; NEC has dual datacentres in two separate geographical locations, so if one datacentre is affected we can failover to our secondary datacentre. More information is available on request.
• Outage reporting: Outages will be treated as a Major Incident and managed by the ISO20000:2018 certified process. A named user will receive an email and SMS message notifying them of the status of the MI until resolution. The incident will also be logged on the Service Desk system where the status is also visible to the user.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Other
• Other user authentication: NEC OptoMize requires user authentication for all access to ensure security and compliance with NHS standards. Authentication is primarily via username and password, with support for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for enhanced protection. All authentication processes use encrypted connections (TLS) to safeguard credentials. Access is role-based, ensuring users only see data relevant to their responsibilities. This approach guarantees secure, controlled access to patient information and system functions.
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Access to management interfaces and support channels is strictly controlled through role-based permissions and secure authentication. Only authorised administrators can access system configuration tools, and all actions are logged for audit purposes. Support channels, including our ITSM portal, require verified user credentials before any request is processed. Sensitive operations such as data extraction or configuration changes are restricted to designated personnel and subject to multi-factor authentication. This layered approach ensures that only approved users can perform administrative tasks, maintaining compliance with NHS Information Governance and ISO 27001 standards.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Other
• Description of management access authentication: Management access to NEC OptoMize is secured using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) combined with username and password credentials. All management interfaces require encrypted connections (TLS) to prevent interception of sensitive data. MFA ensures that administrative users provide an additional verification factor, such as a time-based one-time password (TOTP), before access is granted. Role-based permissions further restrict management functions to authorised personnel only. This layered approach guarantees strong authentication and compliance with NHS Information Governance and ISO 27001 standards, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to critical system controls.

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: The NEC Information Security Management System (ISMS) is registered to the International Standard (ISO 27001:2022). Our security policies and procedures have been created to fully comply with the requirements of this ISO 27001 standard. NEC runs a full information security internal audit programme and is independently audited by the British Standards Institute (BSI). This audit reviews our security management controls, policies and processes and ensures these meet the required standard. ; Our security policies and procedures are updated at least annually, and include an Information Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and an Acceptable Use Policy. ; We have a Cyber Security Breach Response Plan providing a plan that will be initiated in the event of NEC experiencing a major cyber security breach, or in response to a high-risk situation that will cause a significant breach if the necessary co-ordinated, preventative action is not taken. Incidents are managed within the context of our ISO/IEC 20000-1 compliant IT Service Management system by dedicated Information Security personnel.; NEC has achieved NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus certification demonstrating our ability to implement processes and procedures that result in protection against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate commitment to cyber security.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Configuration and change management approach: NEC is certified for ISO20000:2018 for Service Management.; The status, location and configuration of service components are tracked throughout their lifetime in the NEC Configuration Management Database (CMDB). This is held within the NEC IT Service Management System. Changes to that asset are made via a Change Request or Service Request.; An Impact Assessment (IA) is produced for each Change Request (CR), and a risk score is generated based on the content of the Impact Assessment. ; The CR and risk score is reviewed and approved by NEC, including members of the security team, before going to the customer for approval.
• Vulnerability management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: NEC employs several different technologies related to vulnerability management, ensuring that all devices are updated regularly. Where possible automated patching is performed to ensure the timely implementation of updates and patches. Critical and security related updates and patches are proactively monitored and where necessary implemented as soon as possible. ; NEC is a member of the NCSC Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP) and subscribes to the NCSC Early Warning Service which scans for network abuse events on an organisation’s network, as well as vulnerable network services on an organisation’s Internet-facing services. Threats and CVEs are triaged by the InfoSec team.
• Protective monitoring type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: The NEC security monitoring policies/procedures are aligned with incident management policies and practices. Any significant security issues identified by analysis of monitoring alerts and/or reports will result in the NEC InfoSec team raising a security incident to initiate the associated detailed analysis process. ; NEC uses an advanced SIEM monitoring service as part of our protective monitoring solution. Our SIEM provides predefined alerts and reports that enable log sources to be processed and comply with NCSC guidance and the Data Protection Act 2018. ; Network monitoring-related alerts are sent to our central service management tool and monitored by a 24x7 Service Desk.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: Yes
• Incident management approach: Our Incident Service Management Tool is available online 24/7 and updates will be communicated via email and/or telephone. The NEC Service Desk and ISMT is based on ITIL principles; all staff have ITIL foundation training. Key team members also hold qualifications in ITIL Service Management. High priority incidents can be reported by telephoning or emailing the NEC Service Desk. ; ; Our ISMT enables incident and support requests to be centrally managed as a unique event providing full traceability and audit history.

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: Yes
• Connected networks: Health and Social Care Network (HSCN)

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 0%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 0%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 0%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 0%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 0%
• Over £5,000,001: 0%

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• ISO/IEC 27001 accredited by: British Standards Institute (BSI)
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Friday 7 June 2024
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: All our supporting services are in scope.
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: Yes
• ISO 9001 certification accredited by: British Standards Institute (BSI)
• ISO 9001 accreditation date: Sunday 23 March 2025
• What the ISO 9001 doesn’t cover: Services provided by NEC that are not development, test and support of our products.
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber Essentials Certificate Number: 7f5cb813-628a-41f1-aaf5-c37764551202
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Cyber Essentials Plus Certificate Number: Cd276d2d-b032-4133-ae64-3e04eb38b000
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • ISO 20000:2018
  • ISO 22301:2019
  • ISO 14001:2015

Social value

• Mission: Kick start economic growth:

  To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

  Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

  • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
  • New apprenticeships on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b
  • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
  • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
  • Ensuring new workers are informed of their right to join a trade union
  • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
  • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
  • Activities to cascade good practice on fair working conditions throughout the supply chain
  • Offer a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers, ideally equivalent to statutory adoption pay and leave
  • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
  • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
  • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
  • Plans for an appropriate income replacement policy for staff who are required to spend time away from work to care for a sick dependent or close relative
  • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
  • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
  • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
  • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • Volunteering opportunities for staff
  • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
  • Measures to identify, mitigate and manage modern slavery risks relating to the contract and how these will be implemented
  • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling
  • How these flow down the supply chain and are monitored Illustrative examples include reporting, site visits, audits, etc.
  • How to ensure business decisions re: price/cost, short lead times, payment timescales do not create modern slavery risks in the supply chain
  • How the supplier will work with NGOs, trade unions or other businesses to address modern slavery risk
  • Means of influencing staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders with respect to modern slavery risks relating to the contract

  Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

  • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
  • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering
  • Delivery of apprenticeships, supported internships and T Level industry placement opportunities (Level 2, 3 and 4+) in relation to the contract

  Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

  • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
  • Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
  • Plans for engaging a diverse range of businesses in engagement activities prior to appointing subcontractors (including activities prior to award of the main contract and during the contract term)
  • Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain
  • Advertising of supply chain opportunities openly and to ensure they are accessible to a diverse range of businesses, including advertising all subcontracting opportunities on Contracts Finder
  • Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees
  • Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutual
  • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
  • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
  • Measures to involve local stakeholders and/or users in design (e.g. in the design of services, systems, products or buildings)
  • Plans for positive actions with community groups.
  • Measures for making facilities used in the delivery of the contract available for community groups, education or training
  • Measures to engage users and communities and build relationships to increase community integration build trust and influence how the contract is delivered
  • Plans to respond flexibly and adapt approaches to community engagement and initiatives
  • Support for community-led initiatives relevant to the contract. Illustrative examples: improving transport links; reducing loneliness; helping with English language proficiency; and facilitating social mixing among people with different backgrounds
  • Collaborating with anchor institutions and community groups to make facilities available for education, training or community events
• Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower:

  To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

  Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

  • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Delivery of additional environmental benefits through the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Understanding of how to influence staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement
  • Activities to reconnect people with the environment and increase awareness of ways to protect and enhance it
• Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity:

  By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

  Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

  • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
  • Creation of employment opportunities particularly for those who face barriers to employment, such as prison leavers, care leavers and/or who are located in deprived areas, and for people in industries with known skills shortages or in high growth sectors
  • Delivery of training schemes and programmes to address any identified skills gaps and under-representation in the workforce for the contract (e.g. prison leavers, care leavers, kinship carers, disabled people)
  • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
  • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
  • Collection of the views and expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations on successfully supporting disabled employees or applicants
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
  • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
  • Offering a range of quality opportunities with routes of progression if appropriate, e.g. T Level industry placements, students supported into higher level apprenticeships.
  • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
  • Other measures to provide equality of opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions into employment, including becoming a Disability Confident employer and inclusion of supported businesses in the contract supply chain
  • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce
  • Inclusive and accessible development practices, including guidance for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition

  Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

  • Understanding of the issues affecting the development of new skills by target cohort
  • Understanding of the underlying factors affecting improvements to reduce barriers to entry and training schemes for the target cohort(s) related to the contract workforce
  • Other measures to offer development opportunities for the target cohort(s) in the contract workforce
  • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
  • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce
  • Creation of outreach activities to create a pipeline of employees for the future contract delivery
  • Content of the outreach activity is designed to suit the target cohort
  • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
• Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future:

  That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

  Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

  • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
  • Understanding barriers to access to health and social care services or employment opportunities e.g. digital inclusion
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition
  • Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at psbidmgmt@necsws.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.