Official UK procurement notice
Transportation and Travel Services for Health
Authority: NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS & healthcare)
What is being bought12 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNHS Shared Business Services act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework/Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) has put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Transportation and Travel Services for Health and related Goods and Services for Healthcare to be used by NHS SBS Approved Organisations.
Approved Organisations are NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) or any combined authority, integrated care board, local authority, NHS England, NHS foundation trust, NHS trust or any other body listed as a "relevant authority" in the National Health Service Act 2006, which the Authority authorises to use the resulting Framework. These organisations, for the purpose being a principal to the framework agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations are identifiable on the list of Approved Organisations and may be added to from time to time.
Our Approved Organisation list can be found on:
www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-a… ↗
The framework includes:
Lot 1 - High Dependency Transport
Lot 2 - Specialist Vehicle Transport
Lot 2a - Bariatric Transport
Lot 2b - Secure Mental Health Transport
Lot 2c - Paediatric and Neonatal Transport
Lot 2d - Palliative and End of Life Transport
Lot 2e - Sitting and Wheelchair Transport
Lot 2f - Stretcher Vehicle Transport
Lot 3 - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed Service
Lot 4 - Transportation Marketplace
CPV: Ambulance services · Business travel services · Special-purpose road passenger-transport services · Travel management services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Bids received
- 36 bids on the busiest of 9 lots · 33 suppliers appointed
Lots and requirements (12)Procurement structure
12 lots · no lot values published · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1High Dependency TransportAwarded
A framework that allows NHS organisations and other public sector bodies to purchase Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services.
Lot #2Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS)Planned
This lot will deliver a sufficient booking system and the ability to dispatch vehicles covering a variety of mobility from walking patients to wheelchairs and stretchers. Suppliers must be CQC registered. Additional information: Award Criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 50%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 20%
Commercial (Price) - Weighting: 30%
Lot #3Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed ServiceAwarded
Providers awarded onto this lot must have the ability to cover and manage all the scope of Lots 1 and 2:
- High Dependency Transport
- Bariatric Transport
- Secure Mental Health Transport
- Paediatric and Neonatal Transport
- Palliative and End of Life Transport
- Sitting and Wheelchair Accessible Transport
- Stretcher Vehicle Transport
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #4Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed ServiceAwarded
Providers awarded onto this lot must provide an online cloud-based platform for Contracting Authorities to book and manage their transportation services, including but not limited to Patient Transport Services (as per Lots 1-3).
The awarded provider must have a supply chain of transportation providers that can fulfil the above requirements.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #5Taxi ServicesPlanned
This lot will deliver a nationwide taxi service for patient transport and NHS staff transport where relevant. The service will include cars and minibuses and trained drivers who can assist passengers. Additional information: Award Criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 50%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 20%
Commercial (Price) - Weighting: 30%
Lot #6Corporate TravelPlanned
This lot will deliver a platform for contracting authorities to book and manage their corporate travel requirements including rail, hotel, and conference management. Additional information: Award Criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 50%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 20%
Commercial (Price) - Weighting: 30%
Lot #7Bariatric TransportAwarded
Bariatric Transport refers to the short or long-distance transportation of bariatric patients. A bariatric patient (larger person) can be defined as anyone regardless of age, who has limitations in health and social care due to their weight, physical size, shape, width, health, mobility. Bariatric transportation providers are typically required to have two ambulance care assistants, who must be certified in first aid through an Accredited Ambulance Care Assistant Course, with a regulated body.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #8Secure Mental Health TransportAwarded
Secure Mental Health transport relates to safe transportation of mental health patients. It is anticipated that patients may present with complex presentations i.e. physically violent, aggressive, and detained under a section of the Mental Health Act.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #9Paediatric and Neonatal TransportAwarded
Paediatric and Neonatal transport is defined as the specialised transportation of critically unwell children and infants. It is foreseen that this service will include:
- Out of hospital care
- Emergency retrievals
- Planned transfers/repatriation
Bidders are typically required to have two ambulance care assistants, who must be certified in first aid through an Accredited Ambulance Care Assistant Course. Blue lights may be required due to the nature of referrals.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #10Palliative and End of Life TransportAwarded
Palliative and End of Life transport refers to the specialised transport of patients who are nearing the end of their life or require palliative care during transport.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #11Sitting and Wheelchair TransportAwarded
Sitting and Wheelchair Accessible Ambulances are designed for patients who can sit upright or use a wheelchair. This service is required to have one or two members of staff.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Lot #12Stretcher Vehicle TransportAwarded
Stretcher Vehicle Transport is designed for patients who are unable to sit up or require lying down during Transport. Generally, it is required to have two ambulance care assistants, who must be certified in first aid through an Accredited Ambulance Care Assistant Course, with a regulated body.
Bidders will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published award criteria (3)
- Quality: 55
- Social Value: 15
- Price: 30
- Suitability
Lots 1, 2 and 3:
- CQC Accreditation
- Data Security and Protection Toolkit Self-Assessment
- Enhanced DBS Checks
- Health or Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Paramedics (where applicable)
- Institute of Health and Care Development (IHCD) Ambulance Technicians (where applicable)
Lot 4:
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Transportation and Travel Services for Health” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 16 Apr 2024, 16:59 BST
- Last source update
- 24 Sept 2025, 14:12 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 10 Jan 2025 – …
- Authority reference
SBS10513- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-059289- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0452d3Find a Tender
Publisher note: Framework Award Decision Makers: Procurement Review Board. Framework Agreement Commencement Date - 1st September 2025 Framework Agreement End Date - 31st August 2027 Duration of the Framework Agreement - 24 months with 2 x 12 month extensions. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this framework agreement is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. This framework agreement has not yet been formally concluded; this notice serves as an intention to establish the framework agreement under the PSR. No conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision were identified. The key criteria and its relative importance are detailed below. The key criteria and weightings were selected based on their relevance to the services being delivered, aligning with the specification and requirements of Approved Organisations. As detailed in the tender collateral and Contract Notice we are intending to award to all Suppliers who passed the Basic Selection Criteria and met the threshold award score of 60% or above. (a) quality and innovation 37.5%, (b) value 30%, (c) integration, collaboration and service sustainability 7.5%, (d) improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice 10% (e) social value 15%
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Jan 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bid validity
- 5400 days from the deadline
- Bids opened
- 10 Jan 2025, 13:00 GMT
Timeline
1 Oct 2024 → 24 Sept 2025 · 4 dates- Next notice expected1 Oct 2024, 00:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown10 Jan 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Bids opened10 Jan 2025, 13:00 GMT
- Notice published393 days ago24 Sept 2025, 14:12 BST
Notice history
5 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Nov 2024- Published value updated to £1,500,000,00018 Nov 2024, 14:08 GMTwas £125,000,000
- Status changed to active18 Nov 2024, 14:08 GMT
- Procurement method changed18 Nov 2024, 14:08 GMT
- Deadline published: 10 Jan 2025, 12:00 GMT18 Nov 2024, 14:08 GMT
- Status changed to complete14 Jul 2025, 14:02 BST
Published amendments (1 · 0 deadline changes)
| When | What | Before | After | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | TextAdditional Information · VI.3 | Framework Award Decision Makers: Procurement Review Board. Framework Agreement Commencement Date - 1st September 2025 Framework Agreement End Date - 31st August 2027 Duration of the Framework Agreement - 24 months with 2 x 12 month extensions. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this framework agreement is subject to the Health Care Services (Provid… | Framework Award Decision Makers: Procurement Review Board. Framework Agreement Commencement Date - 29th September 2025. Framework Agreement End Date - 28th September 2027. Duration of the Framework Agreement - 2 years plus 2 optional 12-month extension opportunities. No conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision were identified. The lifetime value of the Framew… |
1 amendment published without a description.
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2024-11: 1 release · 18 Nov 2024
- 2024-04: 1 release · 16 Apr 2024
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast10 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
All 6 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £62,500,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Contract 050837-2025-SBS10513-1
- Signed
- 14 Jul 2025
- Value
- £1,500,000,000
- Status
- active
- Change The modification is amending medical malpractice insurance from £10m on a "per claim" basis to £10m "in the aggregate"., Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee: Reference to Part 2 section 14 of the Provider Selection Regime the modification must be made urgently due to unforeseeable & unattributable information that the relevant authority could not foresee at the time of the original procurement. Delaying the award or modification to follow the standard process would likely pose a risk to patient or public safety. During the due diligence period of this framework procurement we have been notified by bidders that medical malpractice insurance on a 'per claim' basis is not standard in the UK insurance market, therefore awarded suppliers cannot obtain this. To ensure that the contract remains compliant and deliverable, NHS SBS has amended the insurance requirement to align with the available market cover.
High Dependency Transport
- Signed
- 10 Jul 2025
- Value
- £375,000,000
- Status
- active
Stretcher Vehicle Transport
- Signed
- 22 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed Service
- Signed
- 22 May 2025
- Value
- £375,000,000
- Status
- active
Transportation Marketplace
- Signed
- 22 May 2025
- Value
- £375,000,000
- Status
- active
Palliative and End of Life Transport
- Signed
- 21 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Sitting and Wheelchair Transport
- Signed
- 21 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Bariatric Transport
- Signed
- 20 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Secure Mental Health Transport
- Signed
- 20 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Paediatric and Neonatal Transport
- Signed
- 20 May 2025
- Value
- ceiling above
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · High Dependency Transport | 26bids · 26 electronic | 21 | — | — |
| 3 · Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed Service | 27bids · 27 electronic | 22 | — | — |
| 4 · Non-Emergency Patient Transport Managed Service | 11bids · 11 electronic | 9 | — | — |
| 7 · Bariatric Transport | 32bids · 32 electronic | 24 | — | — |
| 8 · Secure Mental Health Transport | 24bids · 24 electronic | 19 | — | — |
| 9 · Paediatric and Neonatal Transport | 17bids · 17 electronic | 14 | — | — |
| 10 · Palliative and End of Life Transport | 31bids · 31 electronic | 24 | — | — |
| 11 · Sitting and Wheelchair Transport | 35bids · 35 electronic | 26 | — | — |
| 12 · Stretcher Vehicle Transport | 36bids · 36 electronic | 27 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Independent Patient Choice and Procurement PanelReview body
Framework contractors & participating bidders
34 commercial parties on the notice- 365 GROUP LTDFramework contractor
- A F J LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ADVANCE MEDICAL TRANSPORT SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ADVANCE MEDICAL TRANSPORT SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Advance Medical Transport Services LimitedFramework contractor
- Ambutech Pre-Hospital Care LtdFramework contractor
- British Red Cross SocietyFramework contractor
- CENTRAL MEDICAL SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- CIPHER MEDICAL CONSULTANCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- DHL Supply ChainFramework contractor
Show 24 more suppliers
- EAST ANGLIA MEDICAL CARE LTDFramework contractor
- EMFS GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ERS Medical LtdFramework contractor
- East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS TrustFramework contractor
- East of England Ambulance ServiceFramework contractor
- Elite Medical and Ambulance Services LtdFramework contractor
- Emergency Doctors Medical Services LtdFramework contractor
- Full list of successful suppliers is available on Contracts FinderFramework contractor
- G4S Care And Justice Services (UK) LimitedFramework contractor
- HATS Group LimitedFramework contractor
- HEALTH CONNECTIONS PTS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Health Transportation Group UK LimitedFramework contractor
- MIND AND BEHAVIOUR LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Medi 4 Ambulance Services LtdFramework contractor
- Medical Emergency SolutionsFramework contractor
- Nerams LtdFramework contractor
- OnCue Transport LtdFramework contractor
- Response Ambulance Service LtdFramework contractor
- SECURE CARE UK LIMITEDFramework contractor
- SOUTHERN MEDICAL RESCUE LTDFramework contractor
- TAKS HEALTHCARE LTDFramework contractor
- TEAM MEDIC (LONDON) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- VCARE-24 LIMITEDFramework contractor
- VKL HEALTHCARE LTDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria