Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board
Sackville House, Brooks Close
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
NHS Organisation Data Service
QNX
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
East Sussex Children and Adult Wheelchair and Specialist Seating service
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short 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.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £2,658,394
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Main site or place of performance
Sussex ICB area
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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 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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: n/a / Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.14) Additional 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 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.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
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.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 March 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ross Auto Engineering Ltd t/a Ross Care
Unit 2 Summit Centre Skyport Drive
Harmondsworth
UB7 0LJ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI7 - Outer London – West and North West
Companies House
00469301
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £2,658,394
Total value of the contract/lot: £2,658,394
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
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.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board
Sackville House, Brooks Close
LEWES
BN7 2FZ
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NHS England
Skipton House, 80 London Road
LONDON
SE1 6LH
Country
United Kingdom