East Sussex Children and Adult Wheelchair and Specialist Seating service

Concepts

• health services
• lewes
• adult wheelchairs service
• specialist seating service
• postural management wheelchair equipment
• specialist static postural seating
• a specialist postural static seating service
• the service users
• the east sussex service
• a clinical service

Location

Sussex ICB area

Description

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice (via Direct Award C). This direct award is for a period of 12 months, from 1/4/26 to 31/3/27. The service value is £2,658,394 per annum. The aim of the East Sussex Children's and Adult Wheelchairs service (CAWS) is to make sure users optimise their mobility and independence and improve their quality of life through receiving timely access to appropriate assessment, provision and maintenance of equipment through a fully integrated service. The provider will assess users for the provision of wheeled mobility equipment (both powered and manual) for those with long term mobility problems. Pressure relieving cushions and postural management wheelchair equipment will also be provided to meet the user's long term clinical need. The provider will also assess for specialist static postural seating.

Total Quantity or Scope

This notice is for the provision of a holistic wheelchairs service, from clinically-led MDT assessment, to the supply and maintenance of wheelchairs and associated equipment. It is recognised that as a clinical service, the East Sussex Children's and Adults Wheelchair Service (CAWS) priority is on meeting peoples clinical and health needs within the current resources. The East Sussex service also includes a specialist postural static seating service for adults with complex postural needs. The main subject matter of the service is healthcare (this is a mixed procurement). Equipment costs constitute less than 50% of the service spend. In addition, the integration of healthcare and equipment is essential to this service. To separate these elements would result in a less seamless pathway for the service users. … The provider will assess users for the provision of wheeled mobility equipment (both powered and manual) for those with long term mobility problems. Pressure relieving cushions and postural management wheelchair equipment will also be provided to meet the user's long term clinical need.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made by email to aelliott1@nhs.net and cc. robert.kitt1@nhs.net by midnight (23:59) on 25 March 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice under Direct Award Process C. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be submitted to the relevant authority via email to aelliott1@nhs.net and cc. robert.kitt1@nhs.net by midnight (23:59) on 25 March 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. … This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice (via Direct Award C). The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be submitted by email to aelliott1@nhs.net and cc. robert.kitt1@nhs.net by midnight (23:59) on 25 March 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Decision maker: Chief Integration & Primary Care Officer. No conflicts of interest were declared. The extension of the contract also provides the time for consultation and subsequent decisions around future contracting and commissioning arrangements for these services on a pan-Sussex basis. It is intended that once these processes are complete, a competitive procurement for new contract(s) will take place. The service evaluation was reviewed against the 5 key criteria: • Quality & Innovation • Value • Integration, collaboration & service sustainability • Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice • Social value These were then weighted equally as they are of equal importance in assessing the service. The existing provider was assessed against key criteria which were weighted according to importance in terms of service delivery and scored satisfactorily against the assessed criteria. The provider has delivered the service according to the specification since 2020 and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. The proposed contracting arrangements will not change considerably.