Scope
Reference
ASCH-2526-008
Description
The Council has a statutory duty to provide the integrated community equipment and service pursuant to the Care Act 2014. This includes the provision of community equipment to support independence, hospital discharge and care at home for adults and children. This is for the supply, maintenance, and collection of items.
The contract was actually executed at 17:00 on 22nd September 2025 but the notice will not allow this date to be included, so the date selected in the notice has been chosen to allow the notice to be completed.
Contract start date: 22 September 2025
Contract end date: 21 September 2027
Possible extension date: to 21 September 2028
Contract 1. Community Equipment Service
Supplier
Contract value
- £12,300,000 excluding VAT
- £14,760,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
24 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 25 September 2025 to 21 September 2027
- Possible extension to 21 September 2028
- 2 years, 11 months, 27 days
Description of possible extension:
Subject to agreement, up to an additional 12 months could be required to allow sufficient time for planning in a very restricted market.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKI72 - Brent
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
The primary risk to contract performance arises from the short mobilisation period following the insolvency of the incumbent provider, NRS Healthcare, and the service formally closing on 15 September 2025. This created an urgent need to secure continuity of statutory services under the Care Act 2014.
Risks include potential delays in service mobilisation, supply chain disruption, and gaps in equipment availability or maintenance during the transition. These could impact hospital discharge timelines, people's ability to live independently, and safeguarding outcomes. Mitigation measures include a phased transition with interim 'patchwork' arrangements, contingency planning for high-priority equipment, and collaborative oversight from the eight-borough consortium.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Light touch
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
The urgent action required is to ensure the needs of vulnerable residents can be met and the Council fulfils statutory requirements.
The Council is required to maintain access to the Services for all eligible residents and there is a legal duty under the Care Act 2014 for the Services to be delivered.
The directly contract award a contract to the identified supplier will be made under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023.
In relation to the urgency justification under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, this justification applies for the following reasons:
• The goods and services to be supplied under the proposed contract are strictly necessary to ensure the Council complies with its statutory duties.
• The situation has arisen due to unforeseeable events outside of the Council's control. In the circumstances the Council must act urgently and there is not sufficient time to conduct a competitive tendering procedure.
• The urgency is unavoidable and was not attributable to any act or omission of the council.
Supplier
Provide Care Solutions Ltd
- Companies House: 04331279
900 The Crescent Business Park
Colchester
CO4 9YQ
United Kingdom
Email: provide.enquiries@nhs.net
Region: UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Community Equipment Service
Contracting authority
London Borough of Brent
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQVJ-5248-JQQY
Brent Civic Centre
Wembley
HA9 0FJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKI72 - Brent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government