Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Provision of Taxi Services for SWASFT

SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

06 Aug 2026 at 15:30

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

15 Jun 2026 at 10:42

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 Jun 2026 at 10:06

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust procured taxi services in Taunton and the surrounding locality. The service transports clinically stable patients to treatment centres, including hospitals, and may also transport Trust personnel between stations, hospitals and airbases. It supports wider operational activity where reliable local transport is needed. Journeys may extend into neighbouring counties when this is the most appropriate and efficient option for collection or drop-off. The procurement is for services rather than goods or construction, classified under CPV 60120000, taxi services. The requirement is therefore suited to taxi operators, patient transport providers and local transport businesses with dependable coverage across Taunton and nearby areas, including the ability to support healthcare-related journeys and operational staff movements.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a below-threshold direct award without competition. The award date was 15 June 2026, and the contract was signed on 26 June 2026. Take Me Group Ltd was selected as supplier for the single lot. The contract value is £31,667 excluding VAT, or £38,000 including VAT. The contract period runs from 1 July 2026 to 31 January 2028. The direct award followed an open framework because appointed providers could not provide sufficient coverage in the locality. The Trust stated that one supplier could provide consistent and reliable coverage, while further competition was considered unlikely to improve response times, service reliability, patient safety or value for money. The lot was identified as suitable for SMEs.

This award indicates sustained demand from the ambulance service for dependable taxi capacity around Taunton, covering both patient transport and movements of NHS personnel. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need reliable availability across the locality, the operational discipline to provide timely collections and drop-offs, and sufficient coverage for journeys extending into neighbouring counties. Experience of transporting clinically stable patients would be relevant, alongside the ability to work safely and professionally around treatment centres, hospitals, ambulance stations and airbases. Providers should also be able to support continuity of service during changing operational demands, communicate effectively with the Trust and demonstrate resilience when individual vehicles or drivers are unavailable. The award shows that a small or medium-sized local operator can be considered for this type of requirement when it can provide consistent area coverage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Taxi Services for SWASFT

Notice Description

Provision of Taxi Services within Taunton and surrounding locality. SWASFT requires reliable and timely taxi services across Taunton 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 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-06b4aa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074876-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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
£31,667 Under £100K
Contracts Value
£31,667 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Jun 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 31 Jan 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Postcode Area
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

TAKE ME GROUP LTD.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...