Blackpool Community Equipment Service

Blackpool Council is seeking to establish new community equipment contract/s with effect from autumn 2026. Blackpool's existing community equipment model consists of a number of supplier contracts covering purchase, hire and reuse of equipment. The local authority wishes to enter into exploratory dialogue and scoping discussions with organisations that have the capability and experience to deliver local community equipment services. The main purpose of this notice is to help the Council to scope requirements, understand market capability and assess levels of interest. The new model will include purchase, rental and reuse of a broad range of adult and paediatric equipment comprising; standard, non-standard and other specialist or bespoke items. The service will cover end-to-end activities such as; delivery, collection, reuse, cleaning, storage, servicing, maintenance, repair and disposal. Blackpool Equipment Service (BES) will oversee day-to-day management of the contract/s and delivery of the Service. Supplier/s would be required to work in partnership with the Equipment Service to support hospital discharge pathways and supply equipment directly to client's homes and health and social care facilities and other community based settings including schools and nurseries across the Blackpool and nearby Fylde coast area. Blackpool Council would like to invite comments from qualified organisations about medium-term service offers, viable contract durations, essential service requirements, functions and possible specification options for the Community Equipment Service. Contract/s duration may be up to 5 years, although this may change owing to uncertainty surrounding the UK Government's proposed local government reforms; including future local authority geographies and reorganisation timetables. English Devolution White Paper Parties interested in delivering some part/s or all aspects of Blackpool's community equipment service are invited to email the contracts.team@blackpool.gov.uk to express an interest to participate in this dialogue. Applications to participate should be received no later than midnight Sunday 2 November 2025. The Council will select a number of organisations from those applying to participate in dialogue. Participation (or non-participation) will confer no advantage or disadvantage should the Authority commence a formal procurement process at some future date. A procurement exercise is planned to commence in spring 2026, to ensure supplier contract/s are in place and implemented by 01 September 2026, with regular contract break clauses.