Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
RJR
Liverpool Road
Chester
CH21UL
UK
Contact person: Marion Haddley
E-mail: coch.cps@nhs.net
NUTS: UKD63
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
National Framework Agreement for the provision of Secure Patient Transport Services
Reference number: F/094/SPTS/24/MH
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
In 2024, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust established a Framework Agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (and as amended) (the PSR) for use by all Relevant Authorities (and any future successors to these organisations). This is extended to be include the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime)(Wales) Regulations 2025.
"Relevant authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and in section 10A(9) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act, a county council or county borough council in Wales, a local health board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, a National Health Service trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or a special health authority established under section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework Agreement.
This framework agreement aims to support mental health patient requirements through the provision of secure patient transport services.
The framework was awarded to run for an initial term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments. The framework has been extended for 1 year, with one further extension available.
As previously advertised in the Framework tender documentation, the Framework will be reopened to new applicants annually, approximately 90 days before the anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date. Previously appointed Suppliers will NOT be obliged to reapply on an annual basis.
Framework Suppliers appointed on the first anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 3 years duration; Framework Suppliers appointed on the second anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 2 years duration and Framework Suppliers appointed on the third anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 1 year duration.
This notice concerns the Second re-opening of the Framework to new applicants.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
25 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
34114122
60000000
85143000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Supplier will provide secure patient transport services.
The expected outcomes of the Services will be:
• Provide patients with a safe, professional, and quality service which is appropriate to their needs.
• Provide the appropriate vehicle and accompanying suitably qualified and experienced staff in a timely manner.
• Convey patients to the appropriate destination in a vehicle suitable for their needs, ensuring their dignity and respect.
• Provide a high-quality service based on individual patient needs which meets industry best practice and NICE guidance.
• Provide an efficient, easy to use booking system for Contracting Authorities to utilise to minimise delays.
• Provide all appropriate paperwork and service level reports in accordance with national and local requirements.
• Eliminate aborted journeys/empty vehicles to provide a financially and environmentally sustainable service.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The framework was awarded to run for an initial term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.
The initial framework period was for November 2024-November 2026. This has been extended for 12 months, so the current end date is November 2027. There is one further 12 month extension available.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
Yes
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The framework was awarded to run for an initial term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.
The initial framework period was for November 2024-November 2026. This has been extended for 12 months, so the current end date is November 2027. There is one further 12 month extension available.
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used
Additional information about electronic auction:
Electronic auctions may be used in further competitions
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
17/08/2026
Local time: 14:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
18/08/2026
Local time: 14:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chester
UK
E-mail: coch.cps@nhs.net
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
16/07/2026