Award

Provision of Taxi Services for SWASFT

SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

01 Jun 2026 at 13:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

01 Jun 2026 at 13:47

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process involves the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), located in Exeter, as the buying organisation. They are seeking the provision of taxi services within Exeter and its surrounding locality, primarily to transport clinically stable patients and Trust personnel, as well as support operational activities. The procurement falls under the 'services' category, specifically taxi services, and is being conducted through a direct award process under the Procurement Act 2023, due to the lack of sufficient service coverage from other providers. The contract was awarded to Apple Central Taxis (SW) Limited, a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in Exeter, who is identified as the only capable supplier for consistent and reliable service. The contract period runs from 15th June 2026 to 31st January 2028.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in transport and logistics, particularly those that can ensure service reliability and coverage within Exeter and potentially neighbouring counties. SMEs like Apple Central Taxis (SW) Limited that can deliver cost-effective and timely transportation solutions, especially within healthcare settings, stand to benefit. The procurement method used indicates a focus on maintaining operational resilience and patient safety, suggesting that businesses able to guarantee these priorities without compromising service efficiency may find this an opportune area for growth and collaboration with public health trusts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Taxi Services for SWASFT

Notice Description

Provision of Taxi Services within Exeter and surrounding locality. SWASFT requires reliable and timely taxi services across Exeter and the surrounding locality to support the transport of clinically stable patients to treatment centres (including hospital settings). Taxi services may also be used to transport Trust personnel between locations (for example, between stations, hospitals, and airbases) and to support wider operational activities. Following the Open Framework award, it has been identified that several appointed providers are unable to deliver sufficient service coverage within this locality. A direct award is therefore proposed under the Procurement Act 2023, as only one supplier is currently capable of providing consistent and reliable service coverage in the area. Alternative options would result in increased costs, delayed response times, and reduced service reliability. This direct award is necessary to ensure continuity of service, protect patient safety, and maintain operational resilience. The direct award represents a proportionate and value-for-money solution where further competition would not deliver improved outcomes. The direct award also includes cross-border journeys, where, for operational reasons, collection or drop-off points may extend into neighbouring counties where this is the most appropriate and efficient option.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aa75
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051469-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60120000 - Taxi services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jun 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 May 20263 days ago
Contract Period
14 Jun 2026 - 31 Jan 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE 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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

APPLE CENTRAL TAXIS (SW

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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