Tender opportunity: ESPO seeks lift and hoist suppliers to deliver domestic mobility access equipment

BHTA members involved in stairlifts, steplifts, through-floor lifts, hoists, and related installation and maintenance services are encouraged to review this new framework opportunity from ESPO for domestic mobility access equipment and associated support services.

ESPO is establishing a national framework for public bodies across the UK for the supply, installation, service, maintenance, and testing of domestic mobility access equipment for people with impaired mobility.

Key details

• Reference: 364_26
• Value: £36,000,000 including VAT
• Duration: 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028, with the option to extend to 30 June 2030

Tender overview

This framework covers a broad range of home access and lifting solutions relevant to BHTA members. It is divided into seven lots, with lots 1 and 2 further split into sub-lots, as follows:

• Lot 1: Seated stairlifts
  • Lot 1.1: Seated stairlifts (fused spur installation)
  • Lot 1.2: Seated stairlifts (battery, plug-in installation)
• Lot 2: Perch stairlifts
  • Lot 2.1: Perch stairlifts (fused spur installation)
  • Lot 2.2: Perch stairlifts (battery, plug-in installation)
• Lot 3: Steplifts
• Lot 4: Inclined platform lifts
• Lot 5: Vertical through-floor lifts
• Lot 6: Ceiling track hoists
• Lot 7: Mixed requirement lot

The tender states that the mixed requirement lot is for the supply and installation of more than one lift type or service under warranty, including service, maintenance, and testing. Suppliers awarded a position on more than one lot or sub-lot will automatically be awarded onto lot 7.

The tender specifies applicable standards for several lots, including BS EN 81-40 for seated and perch stairlifts and inclined platform lifts, BS 6440 for steplifts, BS 5900 or BS EN 81-41 for vertical through-floor lifts, and BS EN ISO 10535 for ceiling-track hoists.

Contract details

The opportunity is being procured as an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and will establish a framework agreement. ESPO states that there is no guarantee or estimate of value for individual lots, and that the overall framework value has been automatically assigned to each lot. The maximum number of suppliers is unlimited, and ESPO will charge suppliers a maximum framework fee of 1 percent based on turnover generated under the framework.

Eligibility

This tender is suitable for SMEs, as well as larger suppliers, able to demonstrate experience in supplying, servicing, and maintaining stairlifts, steplifts, vertical through-floor lifts, and hoists relevant to their bid. Tenderers are also expected to show positive net assets in their latest published accounts, appropriate insurance, a published carbon reduction policy statement or evidence of commitment to carbon reduction, quality assurance processes, health and safety arrangements, and business continuity measures.

Evaluation

Evaluation weighting is 55 percent quality and 45 percent price.

How to apply

Submit tenders electronically via EastMidsTenders Portal.

Tenders must be submitted by 12pm on 23 April 2026. Questions and clarifications should be submitted by 5pm on 10 April 2026 through the eProcurement portal after an expression of interest has been completed.

Suppliers should register on ProContract through the portal, search for tender opportunity ‘364_26’, express an interest, and then download the tender documents from the ProContract activity summary screen. Enquiries should be submitted as a message on the portal.

Contact email: tenders@espo.org.