Test of Professional Competence for Physiotherapists

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 physiotherapists applying for registration with CORU. The primary objective is to ensure public protection by verifying that international applicants meet the required standards for professional practice in Ireland. The contract involves the end-to-end management of this assessment process.

The scope of services includes:

• Test Design and Development:

• Design a test that assesses an applicant's ability to meet the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Physiotherapists.

• Ensure the test covers all five domains: Professional Autonomy and Accountability; Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking; Safety and Quality; Professional Development; and Professional Knowledge and Skills.

• Develop a written exam (Part 1) comprising Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for academic knowledge and interpretative/scenario/case-study questions for clinical knowledge. The proposed weighting is 40% MCQs and 60% interpretative questions, with a 50% overall pass mark.

• Develop a practical skills assessment exam (Part 2), an oral exam, to assess the applicant's ability to demonstrate safe and effective application of practical, technical, and clinical skills. This component is pass/fail.

• Incorporate mandatory questions within the musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and neurological physiotherapy practice areas.

• Ensure test content allows demonstration of knowledge gained through practice experience alongside academic learning.

• Design the test to allow candidates to repeat a failed component once.

• Test Delivery and Administration:

• Provide proctored, in-person testing facilities in Ireland within an academic or similar setting.

• Schedule and coordinate test delivery, with a minimum of two sittings per year.

• Liaise with candidates regarding test details, format, expectations, locations, and dates.

• Provide candidate guidance materials, including sample questions (not reused in live assessments).

• Manage a designated point of contact for both CORU and candidates.

• Quality Assurance and Reporting:

• Develop and implement a robust quality assurance system to ensure the validity, reliability, consistency, and fairness of the test delivery.

• Provide post-assessment reports to CORU for each candidate, detailing summary outcomes, performance across Standards of Proficiency domains, and a Pass/Fail recommendation.

• Implement appropriate data protection measures for data retention, storage, and protection.

The estimated volume of candidates is 650-700 annually. The contract has an initial term of two years, with a maximum of two one-year extensions.

3. Background & buyer context

CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals Regulator, is procuring these services to ensure public protection. Established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, CORU regulates professions including physiotherapists. The Physiotherapists Registration Board (PRB) within CORU requires a mechanism to evaluate the qualifications and experience of international applicants to ensure they meet the threshold Standards of Proficiency for registration in Ireland. This tender represents a shift from a previous paper-based assessment to an in-person testing model. The procurement aligns with CORU's mission to promote high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence among registered health and social care professionals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following criteria to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement:

• Minimum average annual turnover of €800,000 over the past three financial years.

• 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.

• Professional Indemnity: €1 million.

• Product Liability: Not specified (N/A).

• Certifications:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Past experience:

• Minimum of three reference projects of a similar nature.

• Personnel:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Geographic / facility constraints:

• Testing facilities must be located within Ireland.

Bidders must also provide a current Tax Clearance Certificate and declare compliance with social security and revenue obligations. Tenderers may rely on the capacity of other entities (subcontractors) to meet selection criteria, provided they submit separate eESPDs for those entities and demonstrate their 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 a combination of qualitative and cost criteria.

A minimum score of 60% must be achieved for each qualitative award criterion (Design Approach and Methodology, and Operational Delivery Approach and Methodology) for a tender to be considered for award. Failure to meet this threshold on any qualitative criterion will result in exclusion. The lowest cost tender that meets all minimum qualitative requirements will receive maximum marks for the cost criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit the following:

• Electronic European Single Procurement Document (eESPD): Available from www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Tender Response Document (TRD): To be completed in line with instructions provided within the RFT.
• High-level test outline: To be submitted with the tender response by 18th September 2026.
• Pricing Schedule: To be completed in the Form of Tender section of the TRD.
• Declarations: Including Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Supporting Documentation: As specified in the RFT, including evidence for selection criteria (e.g., auditor's confirmation of turnover, insurance details).
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned, but key personnel may be required for verification meetings.
• Case Studies: Not explicitly mentioned, but reference projects are required for past experience.

Submissions must be made via the eTenders portal.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Initial 2 years, with a maximum of two 12-month extensions.
• Payment: Not specified beyond standard prompt payment obligations.
• SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be continually monitored, with the right to cancel for failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination: CORU reserves the right to terminate the contract for failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Permitted, with specific requirements for subcontractors depending on whether their capacity is relied upon for selection criteria.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Estimated Value vs. Turnover: The estimated contract value of €690,000 over three years (€230,000 per year) is significantly lower than the €800,000 average annual turnover requirement. This suggests the turnover requirement may be a standard gate for CORU or a broader category, rather than specifically tailored to this contract's value, potentially limiting the pool of eligible bidders.
• Uncertainty in Candidate Numbers: The RFT notes that the estimate of 650-700 candidates annually is difficult to predict accurately due to the departure from the existing system. This introduces variability in potential service delivery volumes.
• Tight Design Deadlines: The requirement for a high-level test outline by 18th September 2026 and full test design by the end of Q1 2027, with initial testing in Q2 2027, indicates a compressed timeline for the design phase.
• Quality Assurance Emphasis: The emphasis on a "robust quality assurance system" and CORU's right to cancel for unsatisfactory performance highlights the critical nature of maintaining high standards in test design and delivery.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured with a significant turnover requirement (€800,000 average over three years) and substantial insurance cover (€13m EL, €6.5m PL, €1m PI). This suggests that while SMEs are encouraged to participate and collaborate, the prime contractor is likely to be an established entity with a proven financial and operational track record.

• Credible Bidders: Firms specialising in professional assessment design and delivery, particularly within regulated sectors or healthcare, with a demonstrated capacity to manage complex testing programmes and meet stringent insurance requirements.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Collaboration is explicitly encouraged. SMEs are advised to explore partnerships with other SMEs or larger enterprises if the scope exceeds their capacity. Sub-contracting is permitted.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Significant, likely several weeks, due to the detailed technical proposal required for test design and operational delivery, alongside the rigorous selection criteria.
• Pwin Signal: The turnover and insurance requirements suggest a preference for established providers. The lack of an incumbent mention does not provide a clear Pwin signal, but the focus on quality and public protection implies a rigorous evaluation process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [260731 CORU RFT - ToPC Physiotherapists_.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided text.
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 4 – Services Contract
• Appendix 5: Confidentiality Agreement
• Tender Response Document (TRD) - containing Pricing Schedule and Declaration as to Personal Circumstances.