Scope
Description
Cumberland Council seeks to spot-purchase specialist seating equipment to support individuals with assessed eligible needs through the Community Equipment Service (CES). The aim is to enhance independence, safety, and wellbeing by providing timely access to high-quality, clinically appropriate seating solutions.
The requirement includes two primary chair types:
• Specialist Riser Recliner Chairs
• Specialist Tilt-in-Space Chairs
The Council intends to award a contract to a single supplier to enable spot-purchasing of Specialised Chairs as and when required throughout the contract term. The contract will have a maximum value of £350,000 and will be in place for an initial period of 18 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months, provided the full contract value has not been reached during the initial term. The Initial Term is 1st February 2026 to 31st July 2027 with the option to extend up to 12 months, with the possible extension, if used, the contract would end 31st July 2028.
For further details and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, use the council's online procurement portal - The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk.
Registration on The Chest is free. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.
Any clarifications you have about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.
See Service Specification for full details.
Total value (estimated)
- £350,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 July 2027
- Possible extension to 31 July 2028
- 2 years, 6 months
Description of possible extension:
There is the potential for a contract extension of up to 12 Months, if the maximum budget has not been spent within the initial 18-month term, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding.
The estimated total value of the contract over the total contract period (including any extension period) is a maximum value of £350,000 but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the contract.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33192000 - Medical furniture
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Justification for not using lots
Division into lots was considered but deemed not suitable for this procurement. The requirement is for a single, consistent type of product (Specialised Chairs) with uniform specifications and standards. Splitting the contract into lots would risk fragmentation of supply, inconsistency in product quality, and increased administrative burden. A single supplier arrangement will ensure continuity, simplify contract management, and support economies of scale.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
3 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
15 December 2025, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
24 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government