Award

Procurement of Independent Mobility Assessments Provider

  • Essex County Council

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-051143

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0544b0 (view related notices)

Published 26 August 2025, 10:05am



Scope

Description

Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to ensuring that the Blue Badge scheme, which provides parking concessions for individuals with disabilities, is administered fairly and consistently. The scheme aims to enhance the quality of life for disabled residents by allowing them to park closer to their destinations. To achieve this, ECC follows the Department for Transport's (DfT) national guidelines, which require certification from an appropriate expert assessor when eligibility cannot be determined through cross-checking or desk-based assessments.

As the issuing authority, ECC is responsible for issuing Blue Badges to Essex residents in accordance with legislation and national guidance. To uphold this responsibility, ECC seeks a contractor to provide Independent Mobility Assessments conducted by qualified Expert Assessors. These assessments are crucial for determining eligibility in cases where ECC cannot make a clear decision, ensuring that badges are issued to those who genuinely meet the criteria, thereby enhancing accessibility and mobility for individuals with disabilities.


Contract 1

Supplier

Contract value

  • £1,392,436 excluding VAT
  • £1,670,924 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

22 August 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

22 August 2025

Earliest date the contract will be signed

30 September 2025

Contract dates (estimated)

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

Description of possible extension:

The Council may at its sole discretion extend the duration of this Agreement for a further maximum period of up to twenty four (24) calendar months commencing on the third anniversary of the Service Commencement Date.

The Council may serve such extension notice(s) on as many occasions as it shall think fit provided that the duration of such extensions shall not in total exceed twenty four (24) calendar months from the third anniversary of the Service Commencement Date.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract locations

  • UKH3 - Essex

Information about tenders

  • 3 tenders received
  • 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Supplier

ACCESS INDEPENDENT LTD

  • Companies House: 04664905
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLYQ-4554-XBXG

Unit 17d Sturton Street

Cambridge

CB1 2SN

United Kingdom

Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1


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