--- title: "Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - Isles of Scilly Ambulance Boat Replacement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST" published: "2025-09-22" --- # Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - Isles of Scilly Ambulance Boat Replacement Buyer: SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0.json) ## Summary The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is conducting a preliminary market engagement for procuring a replacement ambulance boat service for the Isles of Scilly, as currently detailed in a Planning stage contract. This process is vital due to rising maintenance costs and difficulties in sourcing parts for the existing vessel, which has been in service for over 25 years. Scheduled to take place on 3rd November 2025, the "Meet the Buyer" event will be an opportunity to engage with potential suppliers. Interested parties have until 25th October 2025 to register. The procurement's main category is goods, specifically patient-transport vehicles and water-tender vehicles. It is positioned within the public authority sector and involves a value threshold above standard limits, with the future notice set for release by 31st January 2026. This tender offers significant growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs involved in marine transport, emergency services, and healthcare logistics. The procurement envisages procuring a new vessel or engaging a service provider offering innovative solutions meeting the service's operational and clinical requirements. Participation in this market engagement could advantage businesses looking to expand their presence in government contracts, especially those with expertise in marine technology and remote healthcare management. The planned contract period indicates a long-term commitment from April 2026 to March 2035, incentivising stable business growth. ## Notice Early Market Engagement Meet the Buyer Event: Monday, 3rd November 2025 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is seeking early engagement with the market regarding the future provision of the ambulance boat service for the Isles of Scilly. The current vessel, which has served the islands for over 25 years, is approaching the end of its operational life. Maintenance costs are rising, and sourcing replacement parts is increasingly difficult. To ensure the continuity of a safe, reliable, and sustainable ambulance service for the Isles of Scilly, SWASFT is exploring options for either: The procurement of a new replacement vessel, or The engagement of a service provider to deliver an alternative solution that meets the operational and clinical needs of the community. We are open to innovative proposals and welcome input from suppliers with relevant expertise in marine transport, emergency services, and remote healthcare logistics. Meet the Buyer Event Details Date: Monday, 3rd November 2025 Format: Virtual and/or in-person (details to be confirmed) Purpose: To engage with potential suppliers, share background information, and gather market insight ahead of formal procurement. How to Register Interest Suppliers interested in attending the Meet the Buyer event or contributing to the market engagement process should contact: Lewis Wells Senior Procurement Contract Manager Email: lewis.wells@swast.nhs.uk Please register your interest by Friday, 25th October 2025. ### Planning Information Meet the buyer event hosted by SWASFT. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058714-2025 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 22 Sep 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 31 Jan 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2035 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SOUTH WESTERN AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST | | Locality | EXETER | | Post town | Exeter | | Postcode | EX2 7HY | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon | | ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC | | Local authority | Exeter | | Electoral ward | St Loyes | | Westminster constituency | Exmouth and Exeter East | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation ### Codes - 34114122 - Patient-transport vehicles - 34144212 - Water-tender vehicles ## Release History - 22 Sep 2025 at 19:28 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058714-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058714-2025 22nd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.swast.nhs.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059fb0.json.