Award

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services - Kent & Medway Assistive Technology (KMCAT)

KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

26 Feb 2026 at 16:12

Award

11 Feb 2026 at 11:51

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust concerns the delivery of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services across Kent and Medway, classified under medical specialist services. The process has moved from the tender stage to the award stage as of 26 February 2026, with contracts set to formally commence on 2 March 2026 and expected to run until 2 September 2029. The contracts, awarded through a direct award process under the Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023, cover various locales in Eastern and Coastal Kent. Key parties involved include Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust as the buyer and East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust as the supplier.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in healthcare service delivery, particularly those adept in assistive technology solutions. It presents a promising avenue for growth for companies that can demonstrate innovation, quality, effective integration, and collaboration within healthcare services. Service providers with expertise in meeting complex communication needs and enhancing patient autonomy would be well-suited to engage in these contracts. Moreover, firms that align with the imperative to reduce health inequalities and facilitate patient choice can leverage this procurement to advance their strategic objectives and expand their footprint in the healthcare sector.

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Notice Title

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services - Kent & Medway Assistive Technology (KMCAT)

Notice Description

To deliver the Specialised AAC service across the age range set out in the national specification.

Lot Information

Lot 1

To Deliver the Specialised AAC service across the age range set out in the national specification set out below. The aims of the service is to:- * * To assess and support adults registered with GP's across the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust locality (i.e. Canterbury/Coastal and Swale, Thanet Dover/Deal, and Ashford and Shepway) who have disabilities and complex needs in the use of communication, through a specialist multidisciplinary team. Assistive technology is used to enable patients to communicate. * * To provide an equitable and efficient service to adults to ensure that their needs for communication and assistive technology are met in a timely manner - especially for that group with rapidly deteriorating neurological conditions. * * To enable communication to enhance the autonomy, independence and quality of life for clients. * * To reduce the burden of responsibility and improve the quality of life for families and carers. * * To provide a client centred service, which facilitates the integration of communication, postural management, powered mobility and environmental controls. * * To ensure that adolescents experience a smooth transition from the Kent Children's CAT service to the Adult CAT service. * * To maximise efficient use of equipment budgets through avoidance of duplication and through effective knowledge of the market place. * * To develop a model of best practice for the County. The authority is intending to award 3 x contracts to an existing provider following direct award process C of the Provider Selection Regime. The approximate lifetime value of contracts are as follows: 1. PS1,435,344.20 2.PS1,554,962.88 3.PS655,915.00

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract 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. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 24/02/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064daa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017545-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85121200 - Medical specialist services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£3,646,221 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Feb 20262 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
KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ASHFORD
Postcode
TN25 4AZ
Post Town
Tonbridge
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Ashford
Electoral Ward
Goat Lees
Westminster Constituency
Ashford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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