Specsavers has retained the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) vision testing service contract estimated to be worth up to £19.1m over five years.
The multiple’s UK and Ireland managing director, Paul Marshall, told Optician: ‘We are pleased and honoured that the DVLA has chosen to award Specsavers a new contract following a competitive and extensive tender process.’
The company said 420 of its practices participated in the provision of the contract, with around 70,000 group 1 and group 2 drivers tested every year.
That figure of 420 practices is likely to come under intense scrutiny, as rival bids included significantly more. Cross company and organisation applications led by the Association of Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, and Primary Eyecare Services included practice networks of 750 and 2,500, respectively. In its tender documents, the DVLA said applicants should be able to provide national coverage throughout Great Britain.
Optician asked Specsavers if the network of practices involved would increase following the successful retention of the contract but a spokesperson for the multiple said it was too early to give an answer.
‘The AIO is very disappointed that our inclusive bid for the DVLA contract has been unsuccessful,’ said a spokesperson for the organisation. ‘We believe that the bid met all the requirements of the services description document. The bid would have ensured that Independent Practices could have offered DVLA sight tests not only to their existing patients but also those seeking local access to the test where there is no other outlet offering the service.’
Timing
In a bulletin to its members, the organisation added: The timing has some irony, as the news of a dividend of £20m to Doug and Dame Mary Perkins (Specsavers co-founders) was made last just week. We were made aware of the original DVLA decision in late September and this was challenged as the justification for rejection of the bid did not seem fair or reasonable. But at least on this occasion independent practice made a realistic and competitive bid for the contract.’
Disappointment also emanated for from Primary Eyecare Services. Its chief officer Dharmesh Patel said: ‘PES is naturally disappointed not to have been appointed to deliver the DVLA vision testing service. We believe we offered a strong, credible proposition, which was supported by the national optical bodies of England, Scotland and Wales. It would have delivered a convenient local, flexible service for the public and high-quality reporting for the DVLA, via the 2,500 optical practices situated across the UK that were included in our proposal.’
Next steps
The AIO said it would consider its next move at its meeting in December, specifically whether it would undertake some investigation into the process through Freedom of Information requests and dialogue with the Competition and Markets Authority.
Patel added: ‘PES is committed to developing innovative, cost-effective and comprehensive optical services that deliver the best outcomes for patients and commissioning bodies. We will continue to pursue a collaborative approach that reflects the needs of patients and champions the extensive expertise available in primary care optical practices.’