SWAST-5136-COR Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training & Consultancy

SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Jul 2026 at 12:46

Summary of the contracting process

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is initiating a procurement process seeking a provider for Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training and Consultancy. This tender, titled "SWAST-5136-COR Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training & Consultancy," falls under the services industry category, specifically health and safety consultancy services. The procurement process is currently at the Tender stage, with a deadline for submissions on 5 August 2026. The services will be delivered across South West England, covering Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. The contract is set to commence on 1 September 2026, with a potential duration of up to six years, including extensions. The procurement is being conducted via a below-threshold open procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, with an estimated contract value of £60,000 excluding VAT.

This tender provides robust opportunities for businesses specialising in manual handling training and consultancy, particularly those familiar with healthcare and emergency services environments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are especially well-suited to compete, given the project's focus on delivering specialised training and consultancy that can enhance workforce wellbeing and safety standards. The contract outlines specific quality criteria, emphasising the importance of expertise in healthcare settings, quality assurance, and effective governance processes, which can help successful bidders strengthen their market presence and foster sustainable growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

SWAST-5136-COR Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training & Consultancy

Notice Description

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training and Consultancy Services for its workforce across the South West of England. The contract will support the Trust in maintaining safe, effective, and compliant manual handling practices for operational and non-operational staff, helping to reduce the risk of injury and promote workforce wellbeing. The successful provider will be expected to deliver specialist manual handling training, expert advice, consultancy support, and a train-the-trainer approach to enable the Trust to maintain and continuously improve its manual handling capability. Services will support a large and geographically dispersed workforce operating across Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. This procurement is being conducted as a below-threshold Open Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The contract is anticipated to commence on 1 September 2026 for an initial period of three years, with the option to extend for up to a further three years at the Trust's discretion, giving a maximum contract term of six years. The estimated maximum contract value, including all extension options, is PS60,000 excluding VAT. The Trust is seeking a provider that can demonstrate expertise in specialist manual handling within ambulance and healthcare environments, robust quality assurance arrangements, effective governance and risk management processes, and the ability to deliver meaningful service improvements and workforce development initiatives. Interested suppliers should review the procurement documents available via the Trust's e-tendering portal and submit their tender response in accordance with the published procurement timetable.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Extension Period.

Renewal: Up to a further 3 years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c66d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064229-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71317210 - Health and safety consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£60,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£60,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
St Loyes
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06c66d-2026-07-08T13:46:47+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-08T13:46:47+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06c66d",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PQXD-1311-BRXL",
            "name": "South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PQXD-1311-BRXL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Westcountry House, Abbey Court, Eagle Way, Sowton Industrial Estate",
                "locality": "Exeter",
                "postalCode": "EX2 7HY",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK43"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Helen Sandom",
                "email": "helen.sandom@swast.nhs.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.swast.nhs.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PQXD-1311-BRXL",
        "name": "South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C457261",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "SWAST-5136-COR Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training & Consultancy",
        "description": "The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver Ambulance Specialist Manual Handling Training and Consultancy Services for its workforce across the South West of England. The contract will support the Trust in maintaining safe, effective, and compliant manual handling practices for operational and non-operational staff, helping to reduce the risk of injury and promote workforce wellbeing. The successful provider will be expected to deliver specialist manual handling training, expert advice, consultancy support, and a train-the-trainer approach to enable the Trust to maintain and continuously improve its manual handling capability. Services will support a large and geographically dispersed workforce operating across Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. This procurement is being conducted as a below-threshold Open Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The contract is anticipated to commence on 1 September 2026 for an initial period of three years, with the option to extend for up to a further three years at the Trust's discretion, giving a maximum contract term of six years. The estimated maximum contract value, including all extension options, is PS60,000 excluding VAT. The Trust is seeking a provider that can demonstrate expertise in specialist manual handling within ambulance and healthcare environments, robust quality assurance arrangements, effective governance and risk management processes, and the ability to deliver meaningful service improvements and workforce development initiatives. Interested suppliers should review the procurement documents available via the Trust's e-tendering portal and submit their tender response in accordance with the published procurement timetable.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71317210",
                        "description": "Health and safety consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 72000,
            "amount": 60000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Please access the ITT documents and submit your bid via the Atamis System - https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-05T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-05T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 72000,
                    "amount": 60000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 50,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2032-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Up to a further 3 years."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "Extension Period."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "064229-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064229-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-07-08T13:46:47+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}