Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
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.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.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
25 000 000.00
GBP
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
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
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.
REASON FOR NOTICE
This is an intention to award notice to conclude a framework agreement using the competitive process.
LIFETIME VALUE OF AGREEMENT
£25,000,000
RELEVANT AUTHORITIES ABLE TO USE THE AGREEMENT
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wishes to award new suppliers to an existing 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).
"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.
DURATION OF AGREEMENT
The original framework will run for a term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments. This notice concerns the second annual reopening of the framework, therefore suppliers awarded to this framework under this notice will be awarded to the remaining period of the framework. This includes an optional 1 year extension.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality and Innovation
/ Weighting: 30
Quality criterion: Integration, collaboration and service sustainability
/ Weighting: 30
Quality criterion: Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice
/ Weighting: 20
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Cost criterion: Value
/ Weighting: 10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The original framework ran for a period of 2 years (November 2024-November 2026). This has been extended for 1 12 month period (to November 2027). There is an option to extend for 1 further 12 month period.
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 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
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2026/S 000-067074
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: 1
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
05/11/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 8
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Independence Support Ltd
10643283
Cheltenham
UK
NUTS: UKK13
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 25 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: 2
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
05/11/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
MedExpress Limited
07020529
Old Hurst
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 25 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: 3
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
05/11/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 8
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Osprey EMS Ltd
14669394
Brimstage
UK
NUTS: UKD74
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 25 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: 4
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
05/11/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 8
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Tricorder Care Services Limited
06180298
Thame
UK
NUTS: UKJ14
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 25 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: 5
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
05/11/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 8
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
YorMed Limited
10941358
Malton
UK
NUTS: UKE
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 25 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this framework agreement 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 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight at the end of 18th November 2026. This framework agreement has not yet been formally concluded; this notice serves as an intention to establish the framework agreement under the PSR.
Written representations should be made to info@coch-cps.co.uk
The decision was proposed by a Senior Commercial Specialist at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and approved by the Commercial Procurement Manager and the Director of Commercial Procurement Services for Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
No conflicts of interest were detected or declared during the procurement process.
The relative importance of the key criteria that the relevant authority used to make a decision are set out at section II.2.5 of this notice. Each of the 5 Key Criteria elements were weighted in consideration of the subject-matter and with a view to securing the needs of the people who use the services, improving the quality of the services, and improving the efficiency of in the provision of the services.
The chosen providers met the selection criteria and met or exceeded the published required minimum total score of 65% across the key criteria for award to the Framework Agreement.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Chester
UK
E-mail: info@coch-cps.co.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
05/11/2026