Independent Medical Assessments for Concessionary Travel and Blue Badge Scheme

Staffordshire County Council is seeking a suitably qualified provider to deliver independent medical assessments for applicants to its English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) and independent mobility assessments for Blue Badge applicants. The contract has an estimated total value of £62,500 excluding VAT (£75,000 including VAT) and will run for an initial three years, with two potential 12-month extensions.

Service Summary

The contract covers independent medical and mobility assessments to determine whether applicants meet the relevant eligibility criteria for concessionary travel passes and Blue Badges.

Assessments must follow the guidance in force at the time they are carried out, including the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme eligibility criteria and the Department for Transport’s guidance for Blue Badge applicants.

The provider will be responsible for managing the assessment process from appointment booking through to the delivery of outcomes and handling appeals.

Service Requirements

The successful provider will be required to:

• Carry out independent medical assessments for new and existing ENCTS applicants.
• Undertake independent mobility assessments for Blue Badge applicants to establish whether they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
• Ensure all assessments are conducted by qualified practising health professionals.
• Use HCPC-registered Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists or other appropriately registered clinicians with at least two years of post-registration experience and/or demonstrable expertise in functional mobility or disability assessment.
• Ensure assessing clinicians receive training in Department for Transport concessionary travel eligibility guidance and DVLA fitness-to-drive standards.
• Manage appointment bookings directly with applicants.
• Complete walking assessments within 15 working days of receiving a request.
• Return assessment outcomes electronically to the Council’s Authorised Officers through secure file transfer.
• Manage the appeals process.

During the 2025/26 financial year, the Council requested 200 ENCTS assessments and 100 Blue Badge assessments. These figures provide an indication of the previous assessment demand.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Staffordshire County Council
• Reference: IA4017
• Contract value: £62,500 excluding VAT (£75,000 including VAT)
• Contract start date: 1 April 2027
• Initial contract end date: 31 March 2030
• Extension options: Two possible 12-month extensions, exercisable at the Council’s discretion subject to satisfactory provider performance
• Maximum contract duration: Five years, potentially ending 31 March 2032
• Enquiry deadline: 2 December 2026, 11:59pm
• Tender submission deadline: 9 December 2026, 12:00pm
• Contract location: Staffordshire, UKG24
• Procedure: Below-threshold open competition
• Submission portal: Proactis eProcurement Platform
• Submission reference: IA4017

All tender submissions must be made electronically through the Council’s Proactis platform. The full tender documents are available through the opportunity listing on the portal.

Supplier Requirements

The opportunity is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

Providers must meet the conditions of participation, including:

• Required insurance levels.
• Agreement to the Council’s DBS requirements.
• Safeguarding requirements.
• HCPC registration or demonstrable equivalent experience, as specified in the tender conditions.
• Access to appropriately qualified and experienced clinicians who can undertake the required assessments.

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be assessed using the following weighting:

• Price: 80%
• Quality: 20%

Providers must also satisfy the stated conditions of participation to be considered for the contract.

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity may suit healthcare assessment providers, occupational therapy and physiotherapy organisations, and clinicians with experience in mobility and disability assessments. The requirement to manage appointments, complete assessments within specified timescales, provide secure electronic outcomes and handle appeals means bidders will need suitable clinical expertise and operational capacity.

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