Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - Isles of Scilly Ambulance Boat Replacement

SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Sep 2025 at 19:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is conducting a preliminary market engagement for procuring a replacement ambulance boat service for the Isles of Scilly, as currently detailed in a Planning stage contract. This process is vital due to rising maintenance costs and difficulties in sourcing parts for the existing vessel, which has been in service for over 25 years. Scheduled to take place on 3rd November 2025, the "Meet the Buyer" event will be an opportunity to engage with potential suppliers. Interested parties have until 25th October 2025 to register. The procurement's main category is goods, specifically patient-transport vehicles and water-tender vehicles. It is positioned within the public authority sector and involves a value threshold above standard limits, with the future notice set for release by 31st January 2026.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs involved in marine transport, emergency services, and healthcare logistics. The procurement envisages procuring a new vessel or engaging a service provider offering innovative solutions meeting the service's operational and clinical requirements. Participation in this market engagement could advantage businesses looking to expand their presence in government contracts, especially those with expertise in marine technology and remote healthcare management. The planned contract period indicates a long-term commitment from April 2026 to March 2035, incentivising stable business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - Isles of Scilly Ambulance Boat Replacement

Notice Description

Early Market Engagement Meet the Buyer Event: Monday, 3rd November 2025 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is seeking early engagement with the market regarding the future provision of the ambulance boat service for the Isles of Scilly. The current vessel, which has served the islands for over 25 years, is approaching the end of its operational life. Maintenance costs are rising, and sourcing replacement parts is increasingly difficult. To ensure the continuity of a safe, reliable, and sustainable ambulance service for the Isles of Scilly, SWASFT is exploring options for either: The procurement of a new replacement vessel, or The engagement of a service provider to deliver an alternative solution that meets the operational and clinical needs of the community. We are open to innovative proposals and welcome input from suppliers with relevant expertise in marine transport, emergency services, and remote healthcare logistics. Meet the Buyer Event Details Date: Monday, 3rd November 2025 Format: Virtual and/or in-person (details to be confirmed) Purpose: To engage with potential suppliers, share background information, and gather market insight ahead of formal procurement. How to Register Interest Suppliers interested in attending the Meet the Buyer event or contributing to the market engagement process should contact: Lewis Wells Senior Procurement Contract Manager Email: lewis.wells@swast.nhs.uk Please register your interest by Friday, 25th October 2025.

Planning Information

Meet the buyer event hosted by SWASFT.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058714-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34114122 - Patient-transport vehicles

34144212 - Water-tender vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Lewis Wells
Contact Email
lewis.wells@swast.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX2 7HY
Post Town
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
St Loyes
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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