Provision of Part 2 of the GDC Statutory Examination - Overseas Registration Examination (ORE)

Concepts

• gdc
• education and training
• gdc statutory examination - overseas registration examination
• provision of part
• delivery of examination services
• ore contract
• overseas dentists
• statutory examination
• ore
• part 2-examination

Location

United Kingdom: UNITED KINGDOM

Description

The GDC intends to extend its existing contract for the Provision of Part 2 of the GDC Statutory Examination - Overseas Registration Examinations (ORE) for a period of 20 months and 3 days, from 28 July 2023 to continue to fulfil the intentions of the original contract by supporting the delivery of examination services. This services under the ORE contract relates to “social and other specific services” listed in Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) (PCR) and is therefore subject to the ‘light touch regime’ in accordance with Regulations 74 to 77 of the PCR.

Total Quantity or Scope

The GDC is the UK-wide statutory regulator and has a statutory duty (under the Dentists Act 1984 (as amended) to provide a statutory examination for overseas dentists who wish to register as a dentist with the GDC. Part 2 is designed for candidates to demonstrate practical clinical skills. All questions are mapped to learning outcomes found in our 'Preparing for Practice' document which can be found at https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/registration-for-dcps-qualified-overs... . The Part 2-examination is in effect a safety-related test of competence, when passed allows candidates eligibility to register with the GDC. It is a legal requirement to be registered with the GDC in order to practice in the UK. Additional information: Additional information in relation the Part 2 examination can be found here ORE Part 2 (gdc-uk.org).

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 80000000 - Education and training services

Indicators

Legal Justification

The GDC and Government have been working to modernise the Dental Act 1984 to enable greater flexibility for exam delivery. This change was anticipated for summer 2022, but due to several compounding circumstances outside of the GDC’s control the timetable remained uncertain and was delayed. The Order 2023 (the Order) came into force on 8th March 2023. The reforms that flow from the Order removed the need for the ORE to be provided by a dental authority. The changes should allow us to improve efficiency and capacity of the exam. For more information, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-general-dental-counci... The changes could significantly amend the scope of the services and open up the market to new suppliers who were previously prohibited from bidding. Before the GDC can take advantage of the new flexibility, the GDC needs to develop and consult on a new set of rules. The final rules should be published in Spring 2024. The rules will underpin the scope and nature of the services required under a new procurement. Additional services have now become necessary to support the protection of the public and patients. The GDC is relying on Regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015: a)the additional services have become necessary to continue to allow overseas registrations to continue until the implementation of the rules pursuant to the new Order allow for a procurement for the services under the updated rules. b) a change of contractor cannot be made for economic or technical reasons. There is significant preparatory work required to set up the services. This is one of only two types of this exam currently offered in the UK for Overseas dentists. It requires specific technical expertise to run the exam that has to date not presented itself in the market. c)a change of contractor would cause significant impact and substantial duplication of costs to the GDC. The GDC has a statutory obligation to run the ORE and was required to pause the exam due to Covid 19 restrictions, this has caused a significant backlog of candidates. Candidates only have one five-year period to complete the ORE, they cannot re-apply. Therefore, they would not be able to practice in the UK and overtime may reduce to number of dental professional available to practice in the UK. d)The extension includes an additional sum payable to the consortium to account for the management and delivery of up to 7 diets across 20 months and 3 days. The cost for the additional diets does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract. The GDC intends to execute the Contract extension following the expiry of a 10-day period from the date of publication of this notice.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Provision of contracted services include: -Deliver the 4 components of the clinical examinations. -Suitable venues to hold examinations within the UK, suitable to accommodate up to c. 800 candidates per year -Provision of services, material, equipment, and personnel -Suitably qualified and experienced examiners -Project Management and administration -Candidate Management -Working with the GDC to ensure the examinations a delivered effectively and in accordance with the examination blueprint and Preparing for Practice and the ORE Advisory Group to ensure the relevant standard is maintained and the continuous improvement of the examination The GDC is currently planning a re-procurement exercise of the services to commence in 2024. To view this notice, please click here: <a href="https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=776053086" target="_blank">https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=776053086 GO Reference: GO-2023714-PRO-23406145