This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Jul 2026 at 14:17

Summary of the contracting process

The East Sussex County Council is in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Sensory Impairment Equipment and Support Services" under the industry category of Health and social work services. The council seeks a qualified provider to deliver county-wide services supporting adults with sensory impairments, including those who are deaf or have dual sensory loss. This initiative, primarily targeting the UKJ22 region, involves contracts that will begin on 1 April 2027 and run until 31 March 2032, with potential renewal up to 2034. The procurement process includes a light-touch regime, and is part of a communication plan with further notices anticipated by 14 September 2026.

This procurement presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in health and social work services to engage with the East Sussex County Council. Companies with experience in providing equipment and support to individuals with sensory impairments are well-positioned to benefit from this tender. The council encourages participation from small to medium enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, making it an attractive prospect for diverse organisations to compete and expand their service delivery within the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Sensory Impairment Equipment and Support Services

Notice Description

The current contracts for Deaf and Hearing Impairment and Blind and Visual Impairment Services in East Sussex will be expiring on 31 March 2027. East Sussex County Council will shortly be going out to tender to seek a single qualified and experienced provider to deliver a county-wide service which supports adults who are blind, partially sighted, have some sight loss, and people who are deaf, have some hearing loss, or dual sensory loss. This notice is to confirm that market engagement activity has been completed. A Pipeline Notice for 'Sensory Impairment Equipment and Support Services' was published on 15 May 2025 however this is not linking. The Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-021706, the Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-051458.

Planning Information

Pre-Market Engagement was undertaken in two phases in the week ending 19 June 2026. In Phase One an online market engagement event was held by the East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care team and was attended by a number of known local providers in the market (including the incumbents). The attendees were invited to ask any questions and feedback on the proposed new service structure. The event was held in order to understand the level of interest from the market in taking part in a future tender activity, after providing initial high level information. In Phase Two of the market engagement the Council shared the draft Specification and data pack with the attendees of the first market engagement event via email. The attendees were then invited to ask any questions on the information provided and feedback on whether they felt the Specification was fully deliverable within the proposed term and budget. The purpose of the two phases of market engagement activity was also to determine the proposed route to market. If any interested Providers wish to receive a copy of the documents shared during the Market Engagement period please contact michelle.anderson@eastsussex.gov.uk. The documents will also be published with the tender pack.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d581
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071322-2026
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
SME, VCSE
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
£2,464,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 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
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEWES
Postcode
BN7 1UE
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ22 East Sussex CC

Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Lewes Priory
Westminster Constituency
Lewes

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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