IWA Wheelchair Accessible Passenger Vehicle and Conversion 2026

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks quotations for the purchase and conversion of 3.5-ton and 5-ton vehicles to become wheelchair-accessible passenger vehicles. The contract is structured into four lots, covering both the vehicle purchase and the subsequent conversion for each vehicle size. The estimated value for the entire procurement is €2,400,000 over a 5-year term, with an option for two 12-month extensions.

The scope of work is divided into four distinct lots:

• Lot 1: 3.5 Ton Vehicle Purchase: Procurement of approximately 25-35 units of 3.5-ton vehicles suitable for conversion into wheelchair-accessible vehicles. These vehicles must be glazed, have a minimum payload of 1480kg, a minimum floor to internal roof height of 1880mm, and a Euro 6 compliant engine of at least 130 HP. They require a six-speed manual gearbox, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, adjustable steering column, and suspension designed for M1 Bus category with excellent ride comfort. The vehicles must be white, come without a bulkhead, and include features such as reversing cameras, air conditioning, electric mirrors, heated rear windows, front fog lights, parking sensors, 270-degree opening rear doors, central locking, hill start, and immobiliser.
• Lot 2: 5 Ton Vehicle Purchase: Procurement of approximately 5-7 units of 5-ton vehicles suitable for conversion into wheelchair-accessible vehicles. These vehicles require a maximum GVW of 5 tons, a minimum payload of 2200 kg, and a minimum floor to internal roof height of 2000 mm. The engine must be a minimum of 160 BHP and between 1950cc and 2500cc, Euro VI E compliant, and RWD. They require an automatic gearbox, ABS, ASR, ESP, EBD, Active Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, and rear camera with parking sensors. The vehicles must be fully glazed with privacy glass and have suspension designed for M2 Bus category with excellent ride comfort.
• Lot 3: 3.5 Ton Vehicle Conversion: Conversion of approximately 25-35 units of 3.5-ton vehicles into M1 wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This includes interior insulation, grey hardwearing coach material for sides, wine material for roof/door panels, heavy-duty non-slip floor covering with black protection plates on lower walls, and hi-vis non-slip floor edging. Features include a manual cassette step with a warning device, a driver's protection screen, a raised crash-tested floor compliant with IVA regulations, an 800mm x 600mm escape hatch, full-length interior LED lighting, and LED loading lights. A fully automated inboard wheelchair lift with a minimum safe working load of 350kg is required. The conversion also involves fitting a diesel heater, saloon speakers, cant rail track, vertical surface tracks for wheelchair storage, heavy-duty door retainers, and 6 single M1 seats with lap and diagonal seat belts.
• Lot 4: 5 Ton Vehicle Conversion: Conversion of approximately 5-7 units of 5-ton vehicles into M2 wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This involves similar interior finishing to Lot 3, a manual cassette step, a driver's protection screen, a raised crash-tested floor compliant with IVA regulations, an 800mm x 600mm escape hatch, and full-length interior LED lighting. It requires a fully automated inboard wheelchair lift with a minimum safe working load of 350kg. The conversion includes a diesel heater, saloon speakers, cant rail track, tracking sections for wheelchair clamping equipment, heavy-duty door retainers, and 4 single M2 seats plus 2 double M2 seats, all with lap and diagonal seat belts. All seats are to be covered in moquete trim with open headrests and grab handles.

For both conversion lots, the work includes providing instruction on equipment use, full warranty details on conversion work, and ensuring all work complies with IVA requirements and national legislation. Vehicles are to be delivered to a convertor as directed, PDI'd, registered, and then delivered to relevant IWA locations.

3. Background & buyer context

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is procuring these vehicles and conversion services to enhance its fleet for transporting people with physical disabilities. The IWA is a leading organisation in Ireland for individuals with physical disabilities, serving 20,000 members, employing over 2,500 staff, and operating 57 community centres with 2,000 volunteers. This procurement is a direct response to the IWA's need for accessible transportation solutions to support its members and operations. The tender documents do not specify an incumbent supplier for this specific service. The procurement aligns with the IWA's mission to provide essential services and support to people with physical disabilities.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Criterion Requirement