---
title: "University of Derby Health Bus"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f947"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f947"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f947.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f947.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF DERBY"
published: "2026-03-17"
---

# University of Derby Health Bus

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF DERBY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f947

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## Summary

The University of Derby, operating as a public authority at the sub-central government level, is driving a procurement initiative to create a Health Bus by converting a double-decker bus. This contract has been awarded to Blackpool Design Coachbuilders Ltd through a direct award process, following a single response to the tender. Located in Derby, United Kingdom, this project falls under the industry category of vehicle conversion and reconditioning services. The award notice was published on 17th March 2026, with the contract expected to run until 28th February 2027. Plans are in motion for the bus to begin service in March 2026, providing real-world experience for students involved in healthcare delivery.

This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in vehicle conversion and those providing turnkey solutions in this field. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to engage, either through direct service provision or collaboration with community partners. The comprehensive nature of the conversion project provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate innovation and capability in the vehicle modification industry. Interested suppliers were invited to express interest via a pre-market engagement process, which will shape the subsequent closed competition for this tender, with the University of Derby seeking input on optimising this venture.

## Notice

The purchase, and conversion of a Double decker bus, into a Health Bus. The University are appointing seeking a turn-key solution, to convert a double decker bus, into a Health Bus.

### Planning Information

The University of Derby is running an Expression of Interest process, with the intention of completing a closed competition, with suppliers who express an interest in this opportunity. 
In addition to the Expression of Interest, there is a short questionnaire, which has been created to allow suppliers to provide both feedback and considerations, to help shape any proposed future tender. 
The form to complete is available at the website link below, which is open until 12:00 noon on Friday 9th January 2026. 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OrvxmPpegkeIur2JfbYOYqmxlRRYIkRChfDgdq1N5XBUQVkyQkdURVZMNUhUTE4xQ0FVR0g1NjBETC4u
This Pre-market engagement is not a formal tender but does represent an Expression of Interest. This is not a scored tender process and any responses provided by bidders are both optional, and for information only. 
Completing this form does not commit the University of Derby or the respondent to proceed. Suppliers who submit this form will be invited to the formal tender stage should we proceed. 
The University reserves the right to not undertake a procurement process for these services.

### Procurement Information

Following tender issue, only 1 bidder responded (Blackpool Design Coachbuilders Ltd). Switched to a Direct Award.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024217-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 9 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 17 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £230,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £235,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF DERBY |
| Locality | DERBY |
| Post town | Derby |
| Postcode | DE22 1GB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF11 Derby |
| Local authority | Derby |
| Electoral ward | Allestree |
| Westminster constituency | Mid Derbyshire |
| Delivery location | TLF East Midlands (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BLACKPOOL DESIGN COACHBUILDERS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50117000 - Vehicle conversion and reconditioning services

## Release History

- 17 Mar 2026 at 15:52 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024217-2026
- 18 Dec 2025 at 14:18 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084447-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024217-2026
  17th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084447-2025
  18th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.derby.ac.uk
- https://bdc-uk.co.uk/
- https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OrvxmPpegkeIur2JfbYOYqmxlRRYIkRChfDgdq1N5XBUQVkyQkdURVZMNUhUTE4xQ0FVR0g1NjBETC4u
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05f947. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f947.json.