Tender: Herefordshire Countywide Sensory Impairment Rehabilitation Service for Adults (18+)

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Herefordshire Council is seeking a supplier to deliver a countywide Sensory Impairment Service for adults aged 18 and over who are living with visual impairment, hearing impairment or dual sensory loss. The provider will deliver specialist assessments, rehabilitation and enablement support, information, advice and guidance, equipment and assistive technology provision, and administration of sensory impairment registration functions on the Council's behalf, accessible across Herefordshire including rural communities and supporting around 55,000 residents with hearing loss and 6,000 with sight loss. Referrals may come from service users, health professionals, social care practitioners, carers, families and partner organisations. The contract is expected to commence on 1 February 2027 with an initial mobilisation period prior to service commencement on 1 April 2027; the initial term is five years with an option to extend for up to a further two years. The procurement is being run under the Procurement Act 2023 using the Open Procedure and is subject to the Light Touch Regime. The maximum available Contract Value is £833,000 (excluding VAT) over the full potential seven-year term, with an additional ability for the Council to purchase up to £259,000 (excluding VAT) of Assistive Technology, Equipment and Aids if approved, giving a maximum potential up to £1,092,000 (excluding VAT). TUPE is expected to apply; bidders must request the TUPE information in advance and complete the required TUPE confidentiality agreement included in the tender documentation, and should factor any TUPE employment and cost implications into their tender.