Hampshire County Council, working collaboratively with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, has published a tender for a new multi-lot framework covering vehicle spares, workshop consumables, and servicing and maintenance of workshop tools and equipment.
For suppliers in fleet parts, depot supplies, gases, lubricants, and workshop equipment servicing, this is a practical, “operational backbone” type of contract. The buyers are looking to keep their vehicle fleets safe, serviceable and available, and they want a streamlined route to purchase by bringing several requirements into one framework structure.
What’s being procured and how it’s structured
The framework is split into four lots, with one supplier appointed per lot. Suppliers can bid for one lot or several, with no cap on how many they can win.
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Lot 1: Vehicle parts and spares (supplies)
Supply OE and OE-equivalent parts for a mixed fleet of 1,300+ vehicles across the two authorities, including cars, vans, LGVs, HGVs and plant. The authorities also hold imprest stock at workshop locations and want to maintain this model. -
Lot 2: Vehicle lubricants and associated products (supplies)
Includes items such as AdBlue in IBCs, oils in drums/containers, screenwash and antifreeze. -
Lot 3: Bottled gases (supplies)
Including oxygen, propane, argon mix for welding, and MAPP gas, plus collection of empty/used bottles. -
Lot 4: Workshop tools and equipment maintenance, repairs and installations (services)
Covers supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, maintenance, testing, certification and lifecycle management of workshop equipment used for servicing and inspection. Examples include calibration of MOT equipment, maintenance of lifts/jacks, and ad hoc plus at least annual servicing where applicable.
For Lots 1–3, there’s a clear operational expectation: deliver to multiple workshops across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, proactively monitor and replace stock, and help workshop teams identify correct parts for a broad range of vehicles.
A particularly important detail for Lot 1 is the position on aftermarket parts. Where aftermarket parts are proposed, the supplier is responsible for proving they meet OEM specification. Visit the Find a Tender notice for additional detail.
Key dates and portal
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Enquiry deadline: 20 March 2026, 5:00pm
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Tender submission deadline: 7 April 2026, 2:00pm
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Estimated award decision date: 19 May 2026
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Submission portal: In-tend hosted for Hampshire
What suppliers should focus on to stay competitive
Price realism and transparency
With price-only award, you need a pricing structure that is competitive but sustainable. That includes clarity on delivery costs, stockholding/imprest arrangements, lead times, and how you handle urgent demand without eroding margin.
Stock management and “right first time” parts identification
The notice expects proactive stock monitoring and the ability to identify correct parts for a broad fleet. Buyers will not want downtime caused by mis-picks, substitutions that don’t fit, or inconsistent product specs.
OEM equivalence evidence
If you bid with OE-equivalent options, build a tidy evidence trail showing equivalence to OEM specification, because responsibility sits with the supplier.
Workshop equipment compliance and certification
For Lot 4 in particular, success will depend on your ability to demonstrate safe, compliant servicing, testing and certification across multiple workshop sites and equipment types.
How Thornton & Lowe can support
Even in a price-only tender, the “how” matters, because pricing that wins but cannot be delivered creates contract risk and avoidable post-award pressure.
Thornton & Lowe can help you sharpen your approach for fleet-related bids through our fleet tenders bid writing support, focused on evidence, assumptions, and commercial positioning. If you already have a draft response or pricing model, our bid review service is a fast way to pressure-test compliance, clarify risk areas, and improve how your offer reads to evaluators before submission.
