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We partner with local authorities to efficiently execute contracts for home accessibility solutions

We have a dedicated public sector team focusing solely on local authority contracts. Using our experience and depth of resources, we install, service, safe and reliable, sustainable products on time that meet budgets and environmental targets.

How to procure

In February 2025, a change in the new Procurement Act will see a move away from MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) to MAT (Most Advantageous Tender). A further move to show that the cheapest option is NOT the best option.

With over 150 years of lift industry experience, we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise with local authorities who are considering stairlift adaptation contracts.

Questions to ask the supplier

  • What resources do they have to offer a proper skilled initial user consultation with the customer?
  • What resources do they have to install those stairlifts in the safest and highest quality way?
  • What resources do they have 24/7/365 to attend that user when needed?
  • With potential International situations what UK manufacturing resources do they have to keep the supply chain going when things get a little tough?
  • How do they train their consultants/surveyors ?
  • How do they train their installation engineers?
  • How do they train their maintenance engineers?
  • What is the initial customer appointment/survey process?
  • What automation tools are used to do this?
  • What is the installation process?
  • Who keeps customer and local authorities informed of progress?
  • What is the annual servicing of the lift process?
  • Who keeps customer and local authorities informed of progress?
  • What is the process for dealing with complaints?
  • Escalation processes with solid timelines
  • What is the process for removing and recycling that stairlift?
  • What is the company’s environment approach here?
  • What standard do they conform to?
  • Where are they manufactured? How much supports the UK economy?
  • What % are actually manufactured by the supplier?
  • Key features and benefits
  • Extendable rail possibilities
  • What warranty is to be included in the tendered price? (1 or 2 years)
  • Provide examples of product innovations being introduced during the contract period.
  • Provide examples of process and I.T. system innovations that will benefit the local authority during contract period.
  • Provide examples of changes and innovation in your service delivery model that will benefit the local authority during the contract period.
  • How do you maintain a supply chain into manufacturing the products when issues like COVID19 arise?
  • How do you ensure that the work gets done when there are people shortages such as holidays and sickness?
  • What is the company plan for incident management (as this is more likely to happen) rather than full crisis management?
  • What is the process for reusing stairlifts when removed?
  • What percentage are reusable?
  • What happens when a product is longer reusable?
  • Process for breaking down materials and salvage?
  • Car fleet and policies to reduce emissions?
  • Manufacturing process changes to reduce emissions
  • Schemes to support regeneration, such as tree planting schemes
  • Which parts of the process do you sub-contract?
  • Manufacturing, Installation, Support, Prep Work, Other?
  • How do you select, check and onboard sub-contractors?
  • How do you monitor their progress through the contract period?
  • What training and certifications do they have?
  • What are your H&S procedures for surveys?
  • What are your H&S safety procedures for installations?
  • What are your H&S procedures for service call outs?
  • What are your H&S procedures within manufacturing?
  • How do you report H&S incidents and provide examples?
  • How do you train staff in H&S across the company?
  • What is the vendors company ethos to Social Value and Communities?
  • What experience do they have in other areas of UK?
  • Provide examples of other local authorities schemes offered.
  • What will you do to support the local young people and disadvantaged in our community?
  • What is your recruitment policy?
  • Will you be able to create apprenticeships in this are?
  • Will you provide workshops and work experience for our young people and those looking to reskill and get back to work?

What is a framework?

Frameworks help public and third sector buyers to procure goods and services from a list of pre-approved suppliers, with agreed terms and conditions and legal protections.

Frameworks are often divided into ‘lots’ by product or service type, and sometimes by region. This means that suppliers offering certain kinds of specialist goods or services, sometimes in a specific geographic location, can bid to join the lot that best suits their offer. 

Once awarded, frameworks run for a given timeframe, usually between 1 to 4 years, after which they are re-tendered, giving new suppliers the chance to bid to join them.

Direct award
Is a quick way of putting a contract in place it is also the simplest and quickest way to get to your chosen supplier.

Mini Competition
A further tender process to fine tune your requirements from a select few suppliers.

What protections do frameworks give?
Suppliers will be asked to prove that they have achieved relevant standards, that they hold specific kinds of insurance, and that they can provide evidence of successful performance on previous, similar contracts.

This means all you need to do is follow the award process in the contract or in the customer guidance that will be provided by the frameworks. 

Why should I use a framework?
Frameworks can help you save time and money by removing the need for you to run your own lengthy and expensive tender processes. 

Suppliers who sign up to provide goods and services through frameworks are required to prove that they are able to do so to an agreed standard, and buyers are assured of legal protections for their contracts.

What is a multiple quote?

A “multiple quote” refers to obtaining price estimates from several suppliers or service providers for the same product or service. This practice is common in procurement and purchasing processes, multiple quotes is not the best solution reasons being: –

  • Admin work in sending quote requests to multiple suppliers, keeping track of who has replied, chasing those who have not.
  • Work in comparing quotes in different formats from each supplier, possibly using different products and with different specifications.
  • The client must be contacted by multiple suppliers and have each of them visiting their property which is not ideal.
  • Local authority must vet each supplier and check their qualifications, insurance, DBS status as well as compliance with their requirements on policies including modern slavery, living wage, environmental impairment, etc.