BHTA members specialising in assessment and equipment provision for adult and children’s seating solutions may be interested in a new open tender opportunity announced by Wigan Council.

The contract aims to appoint a single provider to deliver a comprehensive range of community seating solutions that support independent living, hospital discharge, and hospital admission avoidance. The successful provider will play a key role in helping residents across Wigan live safely and independently at home through the timely provision of appropriate seating equipment.

Overview of the tender

Wigan Council’s vision for this contract is to establish a single, reliable partnership for the supply, assessment, and provision of both children’s and adults’ seating. The service will support prescribers by providing high-quality equipment that facilitates hospital discharges and helps avoid unnecessary admissions. It also aims to improve residents’ quality of life. By consolidating these services under one provider, the council hopes to achieve greater efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness.

The contract is valued at an estimated £480,000 (excluding VAT), or £576,000 (including VAT). The term will run from 20 April 2026 to 19 April 2028, with the option to extend for a further 12 months until 19 April 2029.

Participation and submission

Interested organisations should review the full tender documentation, available on The Chest Procurement portal. All submissions must be made electronically through the platform. Applicants can find this opportunity by searching for PA060 – Community Equipment Adult & Child Seating within The Chest.

Key dates

Enquiry deadline: 12am on 23 January 2026
Tender submission deadline: 12am on 30 January 2026

The contract will be awarded through an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The award decision is expected by 19 March 2026.

Eligibility and evaluation

The opportunity is open to a wide range of providers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). Evaluation will be based on a balanced assessment of quality and price, each carrying a 50 percent weighting.

Further details on submission requirements, evaluation questions, and pricing schedules are provided within the tender documents. All contractual and payment terms are detailed within the documentation available on The Chest.

Contact information

Contact: Amanda Taylor
Organisation: Wigan Council
Email: a.taylor3@wigan.gov.uk
Website: www.wigan.gov.uk

This procurement presents an opportunity for BHTA members involved in the design, supply, and maintenance of community seating solutions for adults and children. Providers able to deliver comprehensive, ethical, and value-driven services are encouraged to review the tender requirements and consider submitting a proposal before the deadline.

Cumberland Council has published an invitation to tender for the supply of specialist seating equipment for use within its Community Equipment Service. The council is seeking suppliers able to provide two categories of specialist chairs that support adults with assessed eligible needs in the community.

About the procurement

The opportunity concerns the spot-purchase supply of the following chair types:

• Specialist riser recliner chairs
• Specialist tilt-in-space chairs

According to the tender documents, the chairs are required to support individuals who need clinically appropriate seating solutions that promote independence, safety, and comfort. The procurement aims to establish a single-supplier arrangement, ensuring consistency of provision and simplified contract management for the authority.

Contract term and value

The contract has an estimated maximum value of £350,000. The initial term will run from 1 February 2026 to 31 July 2027, with an option to extend for a further 12 months to 31 July 2028. This structure allows the council flexibility to maintain continuity of supply based on service requirements.

Procurement details

The tender is being carried out through an open procedure. The main procurement category is goods, and the CPV code listed is 33192000 (medical furniture). Full tender documentation, specification, and submission instructions are available through the authority’s procurement portal, The Chest.

Here are the key deadlines that suppliers should be aware of:

• Enquiry deadline: 12pm, 3 December 2025
• Submission deadline: 10am, 15 December 2025

All tender responses must be submitted electronically.

How to apply

Suppliers wishing to review the specification or submit a response can access the tender through The Chest. All accompanying documents are available via The Chest.

This tender can also be viewed on the UK Government’s Find a Tender service here.