Provision of a Test of Professional Competence for Radiation Therapists for CORU

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a provider to design and deliver a Test of Professional Competence (ToPC) for Radiation Therapists applying for registration with CORU. The ToPC aims to assess international applicants' qualifications and experience against the required Standards of Proficiency for Radiation Therapists in Ireland, ensuring public protection. The estimated expenditure for this contract is €50,000 (excluding VAT) over its initial two-year term, with potential for two one-year extensions.

The contractor's responsibilities include:

• Test Design and Development:
• Designing a test to assess competence against CORU's five Standards of Proficiency: Professional Autonomy and Accountability, Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking, Safety and Quality, Professional Development, and Professional Knowledge and Skills.
• Developing test content that covers academic learning, clinical practice experience, professional judgement, and decision-making.
• Creating a high-level test outline for submission with the tender response by 21 August 2026, and completing the full test design by the end of Q4 2026.
• Test Delivery:
• Conducting a written examination comprising Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and scenario-based/case study questions, assessing clinical reasoning, professional knowledge, communication, and application of practice-based learning. This component is approximately 60 minutes.
• Delivering a structured oral (viva-style) examination, approximately 60-90 minutes, assessing clinical decision-making, professional judgement, communication, reasoning, and safe/effective practice.
• Both components must be conducted in person in Ireland.
• The test must be delivered a minimum of two times per year.
• The estimated candidate volume is 20-30 per annum.
• Candidates may repeat an unsuccessful assessment once, with only failed components requiring repetition.
• Carrying out and correcting an initial batch of tests in Q4 2026.
• Assessment Administration and Support:
• Providing proctored in-person testing facilities in Ireland.
• Scheduling and coordinating assessments.
• Liaising with candidates.
• Providing candidate guidance materials, including sample questions (not reused in live assessments) and explanations of test format, structure, and expectations.
• Providing a designated point of contact for CORU and candidates.
• Supporting assessment panel processes, including coordination of panel members and secure handling of assessment materials.
• Quality Assurance and Reporting:
• Developing and implementing a robust quality assurance system to ensure validity, reliability, consistency, and fairness.
• Providing a post-assessment report per candidate, including summary outcomes, performance across domains, and recommendations to the Registration Board.
• Ensuring all prices quoted remain valid for 180 days from the tender deadline.

3. Background & buyer context

CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, is Ireland's statutory regulator for health and social care professionals. Established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, CORU's mission is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence. It achieves this through the statutory registration of professionals, setting standards, maintaining registers, and approving educational programmes. The Radiation Therapists Registration Board, one of CORU's constituent boards, requires this Test of Professional Competence to evaluate international applicants. This procurement is driven by CORU's mandate to ensure that all registered professionals meet the required standards for safe and effective practice, thereby safeguarding public health.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €100,000 over each of the last three financial years. This criterion can be met by the consortium as a whole if a joint response is submitted.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Product Liability: Not applicable.
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million.
• Certifications:
• Current Tax Clearance Certificate required upon contract award.
• Compliance with social security and revenue obligations for the duration of the contract.
• Past experience: Minimum of three (3) reference projects of a similar nature.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Testing facilities must be provided in Ireland.

Tenderers relying on the capacity of other entities (subcontractors) must submit separate eESPDs for each and provide proof that the necessary resources will be placed at the prime contractor's disposal.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), determined by the following criteria:

A minimum score of 60% must be achieved for each qualitative award criterion (A and B) to be considered for award. Failure to meet this threshold on any qualitative criterion will result in exclusion. The cost score is calculated based on the lowest submitted cost receiving maximum marks, with others scored proportionally. In case of a tie, the tender with the highest combined score for qualitative criteria (A+B) will be selected. If still tied, the tender with the highest score for Criterion A will be chosen.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit the following:

• Electronic European Single Procurement Document (eESPD): Completed and submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie. An eESPD used previously may be submitted if confirmed as correct and compliant with current selection criteria.
• Tenderer's Statement: A scanned, signed copy on letterhead, accepting RFT requirements.
• High-level test outline: To be submitted with the tender response by 21 August 2026.
• Pricing Schedule and Form of Tender: As included in the Tenderer Response Document (TRD).
• Supporting Documentation: As required by the RFT, to be provided without delay upon request, including evidence for selection criteria (e.g., auditor's confirmation for turnover, insurance policy details).
• Format Compliance: Tenderers must follow the RFT format and respond to each element in the specified order.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: All submissions must be made through the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Initial 2-year contract with a maximum of two (2) possible 12-month extensions.
• Payment terms: Not specified beyond standard prompt payment obligations.
• SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be continually monitored, with regular reviews. Failure to meet obligations can lead to contract termination.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination: CORU reserves the right to cancel the contract for failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance. Termination can occur in accordance with the Services Contract terms.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Permitted, with specific requirements for eESPD submission depending on whether the subcontractor's capacity is relied upon for selection criteria.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight timelines for initial deliverables: A high-level test outline is due with the tender response (21 August 2026), and full test design is required by end Q4 2026, with initial test correction also in Q4 2026. This suggests a rapid mobilisation phase if awarded.
• Low estimated value vs. complexity: The estimated contract value of €50,000 over two years (potentially four) appears low for the design and delivery of a professional competence test, including in-person facilities and expert panels. This may indicate a need for highly efficient operations or a focus on specific components.
• SME inclusion encouragement: The tender explicitly encourages SMEs to explore collaboration and larger enterprises to include SMEs, aiming to maximise social and economic benefits. This suggests a desire for broader market participation.
• No minimum purchase obligation: Tenderers should note that CORU is under no obligation to purchase any minimum value of services under the contract.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in assessment design, professional examinations, or regulatory testing, particularly within the health and social care sector.

• Credible bidders: Firms with established expertise in developing and delivering professional competence assessments, including written and oral components, and experience working with regulatory bodies. Experience in radiation therapy or related medical fields would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortium or joint venture arrangements are explicitly encouraged, particularly for SMEs that may find the scope beyond their individual capacity. Sub-contracting is also permitted.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the need for a detailed design approach, methodology, and pricing, bid preparation could require 10-15 days of effort for a dedicated team, including subject matter experts and proposal writers.
• Pwin signal: The tender does not indicate an incumbent provider. The emphasis on SME inclusion and the relatively low estimated value might suggest an open competition. However, the specific expertise required for radiation therapy competence assessment could narrow the field.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [260731 CORU RFT - ToPC Radiation Therapists.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 4 – Services Contract
• Appendix 5: Confidentiality Agreement
• Tenderer’s Statement (Appendix 3)