Planning

Procurement of Independent Mobility Assessments Provider

  • Essex County Council

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-012446

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fbc9

Published 2 April 2025, 10:58am



Scope

Reference

DN764710

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.

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028
  • Possible extension to 30 September 2030
  • 5 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract locations

  • UKH3 - Essex

Engagement

Engagement deadline

16 April 2025

Engagement process description

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.


Procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Contracting authority

Essex County Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH

County Hall, Market Road

Chelmsford

CM1 1QH

United Kingdom

Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government