Award

NHS BNSSG - Planned Outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services

NHS BRISTOL, NORTH SOMERSET AND SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

05 Sep 2025 at 10:21

Tender

02 May 2025 at 14:38

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has initiated a procurement process for the provision of Planned Outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS), encompassing Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. This procurement is categorised under ambulance services and is valued at approximately £38.4 million with a five-year contractual term commencing on 1st April 2026, potentially extending by two additional years. The procurement follows an open procedure under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, indicating a compliance obligation with specific industry standards but not the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Key dates include the standstill period ending on 17th September 2025, and the tender closing on 16th June 2025. Bids were required to be submitted electronically, and the selection process prioritises quality, integration, social value, and cost-effectiveness as criteria for awarding the contract.

This procurement offers an opportunity for businesses capable of providing ambulance and patient transport services to engage in a significant public health contract aimed at improving patient accessibility to non-emergency services. The contract anticipates the involvement of a Prime Provider, implying that large or consortia-based organisations with substantial infrastructure and experience in health services will be well-suited to meet this requirement. With a focus on operational excellence and the potential for annual adjustments based on NHS England's planning guidance, businesses that are adaptable and committed to innovation, service sustainability, and promoting health equality stand to gain significantly from this opportunity. This contract, therefore, presents a substantial opportunity for growth and lasting engagement with the NHS framework.

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Notice Title

NHS BNSSG - Planned Outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services

Notice Description

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board sought to secure a Prime Provider who has the capability and capacity to deliver a planned outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), in line with the specified requirements. The purpose of the planned outpatients NEPTS service is to ensure that there is an equitable and accessible service to all eligible patients in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire based on their medical need. The model is based on all planned outpatient journeys being booked through a central point of contact called a Patient Transport Hub (PTH) where journey requests are made directly by patients/carers and health or social care staff. The contract term is 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years, making a contract value of PS27,418,310 over the initial 5-year term. If the 2-year extension option is utilised the total contract value is PS38,374,054. The bid price was not identical for each financial year. The contract will be uplifted annually in accordance with the planning guidance published by NHS England, which is usually available in the last quarter of a financial year. The new contract will commence on 1st April 2026.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board sought to secure a Prime Provider who has the capability and capacity to deliver a planned outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), in line with the specified requirements. The purpose of the planned outpatients NEPTS service is to ensure that there is an equitable and accessible service to all eligible patients in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire based on their medical need. The model is based on all planned outpatient journeys being booked through a central point of contact called a Patient Transport Hub (PTH) where journey requests are made directly by patients/carers and health or social care staff. Bookings for eligible patients will then be referred to the awarded Provider by 5pm the night before travel who will plan the journeys, working collaboratively with partner organisations transport teams. The awarded Provider will then transport those eligible patients to and from agreed providers of NHS commissioned care. The Provider must: * Ensure that patients get the transport mode most appropriate to their condition and mobility. * Provide a service 06:00 - 22:00 every day inclusive of bank or public holidays. (365 days a year and 366 days in each leap year) * Provide a call-to-confirm/text-to-confirm in a reasonable time prior to travel. * Provide a patient transport liaison staff member at both Southmead Hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Saturday trained to an appropriate level of authority to assist with patient flow and who can perform or arrange risk assessments where necessary. * Transport patients needing renal dialysis who have a medical need requiring transport which isn't provided in the BNSSG Haemodialysis Car contract. * Ensure staff are trained to provide a supportive response for patients who have access needs which require higher levels of support. The contract term is 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years, making a contract value of PS27,418,310 over the initial 5-year term. If the 2-year extension option is utilised the total contract value is PS38,374,054. The bid price was not identical for each financial year. The contract will be uplifted annually in accordance with the planning guidance published by NHS England, which is usually available in the last quarter of a financial year. The new contract will commence on 1st April 2026. TUPE may apply to this process. Workforce information was supplied to Bidders on request on the basis that it is treated as strictly confidential. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

Options: There is the option to extend this contract for a further 2-year period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050c87
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054211-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

85143000 - Ambulance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£38,385,641 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£38,385,641 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£38,374,054 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BRISTOL, NORTH SOMERSET AND SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Mark Harding, Senior Procurement Manager, NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit
Contact Email
scwcsu.scwprocurement.bnssg@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AG
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
TLK1 Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area

Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ERS TRANSITION - TRADING AS EMED GROUP

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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