Tender opportunity: Cheshire West and Chester Council seeks providers for community equipment services

BHTA members involved in community equipment, independent living aids, mobility support, and assistive technology services are encouraged to review this tender opportunity from Cheshire West and Chester Council for an integrated community equipment service across Cheshire West, Cheshire East, and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board users.

The service includes a wide range of community equipment, from simple daily living aids such as wheeled walkers, raised toilet seats, and commodes, through to more complex equipment including profiling beds, hoists, and specialised seating. Equipment will be provided to individuals for short- or long-term use, depending on assessed need, and will be collected, refurbished, recycled, or replaced when no longer required.

The contract is intended to support the timely provision of community equipment, helping people live safely and independently at home, supporting hospital discharge, preventing avoidable admissions, and assisting carers.

Key details

• Reference: 2026/S 000-043096
• Value: £34,200,000 including VAT
• Duration: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031, with possible extensions to 31 March 2033

Contract details

The council is procuring a loan-based community equipment service covering the full lifecycle of loaned equipment. Equipment will be used by eligible service users across the participating local authority and health partners.

This is an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and is being run under the light touch regime. Cheshire West and Chester Council will hold the contract and pay invoices, with Cheshire East Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board also able to call off equipment through the service.

The contract is demand based, with no guaranteed volumes or product types. The successful provider must be able to supply all listed items, as well as specials where required. The tender allows for additional and different equipment to be called off during the contract period to meet changing service user needs.

Eligibility

This tender is suitable for SMEs and larger providers able to deliver a full loan-based community equipment service, manage equipment lifecycle requirements, respond to variable demand, and source specialist items where needed.

Evaluation

The tender will be evaluated on price, weighted at 50 percent; quality, weighted at 40 percent; and social value, weighted at 10 percent.

Providers may be able to sign up to an early payment scheme, with details available in the tender pack.

How to apply

Submit tenders electronically via The Chest.

Tenders and questions must be submitted by 10am on 11 June 2026.

Access the full tender documentation, including specifications and terms, through the portal link above.

Enquiries should be directed to Cheshire West and Chester Council: centralprocurement@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.