Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service - C401025 - CAN

Location

East Sussex West Sussex Brighton & Hove

Description

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO AWARD: The aim of the Sussex Wheelchair Service is to make sure users optimise their mobility and independence and improve their quality of life through receiving timely access to appropriate assessment, provision and maintenance of equipment through a fully integrated service. The provider will assess users for the provision of wheeled mobility equipment (both powered and manual) for those with long term mobility problems. Pressure relieving cushions and postural management wheelchair equipment will also be provided to meet the user's long term clinical need. The provider will also assess for specialist static postural seating for adults only in East Sussex. Contract length: 5-year contract with an option to extend for a further 2-years. Annual contract value: £8,436,258 Total contract value (5-year + 2-year option) = £59,053,806 Contract service dates = 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2032 2-year extension dates = 1st April 2032 to 31st March 2034

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Surrey & Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will provide a wheelchair and specialist seating service to the population of Sussex for a 5 + 2 year contract, commencing 1st April 2027. The Sussex Wheelchair Service will provide a comprehensive, integrated service for adults,children, and young people with long-term mobility needs. Service users have described a wheelchair as "a vehicle of freedom," highlighting both the emotional and functional significance of the service. The service will support individuals to optimise their independence, health outcomes, and quality of life through timely access to assessment, provision,maintenance, and review of appropriate wheeled mobility equipment. The service is designed to be equitable, needs-led, and responsive, ensuring consistent and high-quality provision across Sussex. It will include both manual and powered wheelchairs, pressure-relieving cushions, and postural management equipment, tailored to meet long-term clinical needs. The Specialist Postural Static Seating Service will be for adults in East Sussex. The service will be founded on the following core objectives: • People who use the service and their carers will have access to high quality, evidence-based advice, assessment, prescription and reviews. • People who use the service and their carers will be fully involved in the design and delivery of the service across the integrated care pathway. • The service will be timely, flexible and responsive to user/carer needs. • The health and safety of people who use the service, their carers, and staff will be promoted and supported at all times. • The service will be equitable and available in the same way to all those who are eligible. • The service will be easily accessible and provide good quality information. • The safeguarding of children, young people and adults will be paramount at all levels of service delivery. • The service will be efficient, respond promptly and demonstrate value for money across all aspects of service provision. • Professionals will work together to make sure the needs of users are central to service delivery.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The contract can be further extended by the Commissioner using PSR Direct Award Process C.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central & West (SCW) on behalf of the commissioners. SCW is currently subject to restructuring, and the management of this procurement may therefore move to a successor at some point during the procurement process. Bidders will be informed of any such change, and any administrative changes because of it. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by Midnight (11:59pm) on the 23rd June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Written representations should be sent to Stuart Meredith at the following email address: stuart.meredith1@nhs.net. No conflicts of interest were identified. Decision maker: Deputy Chief Integration & Primary Care Officer and Director of Joint Commissioning, NHS Surrey & Sussex. Evaluation Key Criteria The service evaluation was reviewed against the 5 key criteria. The key criteria were weighted as follows: • Quality and innovation 25% • Value 15% • Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability 25% • Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice 25% • Social Value 10% Quality & Innovation, Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability and Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice were weighted equally as they are of equal importance in assessing the service. The Value criterion is significant in that providers will need to ensure that they are able to utilise funding to maximise benefits to wheelchair users, ensuring they meet individualised needs and preferences. If they are able to do this in an effective way, this in turn adds value by supporting the system and improve whole system efficiency around the use of resources. Funds will need to be utilised efficiently and effectively to deliver a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective service. The Social Value criterion recognises the potential impact of services and their contributions to broader social, economic, and environmental improvements in the community. Although this hasn't been weighted as heavily, it is important that providers are able to evidence their commitment to these areas, such as paying workers living wage, as well as reducing consumption and waste.