Award

University of Derby Health Bus

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

17 Mar 2026 at 15:52

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

18 Dec 2025 at 14:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Derby, operating as a public authority at the sub-central government level, is driving a procurement initiative to create a Health Bus by converting a double-decker bus. This contract has been awarded to Blackpool Design Coachbuilders Ltd through a direct award process, following a single response to the tender. Located in Derby, United Kingdom, this project falls under the industry category of vehicle conversion and reconditioning services. The award notice was published on 17th March 2026, with the contract expected to run until 28th February 2027. Plans are in motion for the bus to begin service in March 2026, providing real-world experience for students involved in healthcare delivery.

This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in vehicle conversion and those providing turnkey solutions in this field. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to engage, either through direct service provision or collaboration with community partners. The comprehensive nature of the conversion project provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate innovation and capability in the vehicle modification industry. Interested suppliers were invited to express interest via a pre-market engagement process, which will shape the subsequent closed competition for this tender, with the University of Derby seeking input on optimising this venture.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

University of Derby Health Bus

Notice Description

The purchase, and conversion of a Double decker bus, into a Health Bus. The University are appointing seeking a turn-key solution, to convert a double decker bus, into a Health Bus.

Planning Information

The University of Derby is running an Expression of Interest process, with the intention of completing a closed competition, with suppliers who express an interest in this opportunity. In addition to the Expression of Interest, there is a short questionnaire, which has been created to allow suppliers to provide both feedback and considerations, to help shape any proposed future tender. The form to complete is available at the website link below, which is open until 12:00 noon on Friday 9th January 2026. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OrvxmPpegkeIur2JfbYOYqmxlRRYIkRChfDgdq1N5XBUQVkyQkdURVZMNUhUTE4xQ0FVR0g1NjBETC4u This Pre-market engagement is not a formal tender but does represent an Expression of Interest. This is not a scored tender process and any responses provided by bidders are both optional, and for information only. Completing this form does not commit the University of Derby or the respondent to proceed. Suppliers who submit this form will be invited to the formal tender stage should we proceed. The University reserves the right to not undertake a procurement process for these services.

Procurement Information

Following tender issue, only 1 bidder responded (Blackpool Design Coachbuilders Ltd). Switched to a Direct Award.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f947
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024217-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50117000 - Vehicle conversion and reconditioning services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£230,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£235,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
17 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
17 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DERBY
Postcode
DE22 1GB
Post Town
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF11 Derby
Delivery Location
TLF East Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Derby
Electoral Ward
Allestree
Westminster Constituency
Mid Derbyshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BLACKPOOL DESIGN COACHBUILDERS

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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