Planning

Procurement of Independent Mobility Assessments Provider

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

02 Apr 2025 at 09:58

Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is conducting a preliminary market engagement exercise related to the procurement of an Independent Mobility Assessments Provider. The buying organisation is Essex County Council, located in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, and the industry category is health and social work services. The procurement process is in the planning stage, with a key engagement milestone due on 16 April 2025. The scope of the project focuses on assessing applicants with physical walking disabilities, and qualified physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists are required to conduct face-to-face assessments and provide detailed reports to determine Blue Badge eligibility. The contract is anticipated to commence on 1 October 2025 and may extend until 30 September 2030.

This tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in health services, particularly those with expertise in mobility assessments. Companies providing physiotherapy and occupational therapy services are well-suited to compete, as there is a steady demand for approximately 500 assessments per month. Engaging in this tender could expand their client base, increase revenue, and establish a long-term partnership with a public authority. Participating in the market engagement exercise will allow businesses to shape the requirements and increase their chances of success in the formal tendering process once it is announced.

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Notice Title

Procurement of Independent Mobility Assessments Provider

Notice Description

The Blue Badge scheme in England provides parking concessions for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to park closer to their destinations and improve their quality of life. Essex County Council is seeking to reprocure a Contractor to conduct independent mobility assessments to determine Blue Badge eligibility. As per the Department for Transport's Guidance, a Local Authority should obtain certification from an appropriate expert assessor if they are unable to make a clear and robust decision on eligibility using cross checking or desk-based assessment. This ensures that badges are issued fairly and consistently to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, thereby enhancing accessibility and mobility for those with disabilities. Please note that the current contract duration is an estimation only and subject to change in the forthcoming release of the tender documents.

Planning Information

2. Purpose of this market engagement Essex County Council is conducting a preliminary market engagement exercise to assess interest and provide awareness of the upcoming procurement and invites interested parties to complete a questionnaire in order to help shape and define the requirements for this opportunity going forward. 3. Scope This requirement relates specifically to the assessment of applicants with physical walking disabilities only. The assessments are expected to be carried out face to face by suitably qualified physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. The Provider would be required to conduct an appropriate method of assessment and provide a detailed report including a summary, and recommendation as to whether a Blue Badge should be issued. Essex County Council currently refer approximately 500 assessments per month. 3.1. The Authority wishes to invite interested parties to complete the market engagement questionnaire which can be accessed through the following link https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/48fc2c58 3.2. The closing date for response is Wednesday 16 April 2025 3.3. This notice is not intended as a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future tender opportunity once the tender notice is published. 3.4. This notice is intended as an awareness, communication and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in any future tendering process nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who participate.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fbc9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012446-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Apr 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Apr 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
jon.rockstad@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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