NHS Sussex Non-Emergency Patient Transport service (NEPTS) 23.922 ITT

NHS Sussex ICB (covering the patient population of West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and East Sussex) are pleased to announce the procurement of a new Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service from 1st April 2025. The aim of this service is to provide transport for eligible Sussex patients with a medical need, between their places of residence, primary, community, social care and acute settings transporting patients in safe, timely, comfortable and clinically appropriate transport without detriment to their medical condition. There is a need for the NEPTS Provider in the post-COVID pandemic to be able to respond to rapidly changing regional demand patterns to cater for the patient, the Acute Trusts and stakeholder partners. The contract period offered will be for a period of 5 years commencing 1st April 2025. The Commissioners at their sole discretion, will have an option to extend for a further 5 years (5+5). A standard NHS contract will be used for this service. The annual financial envelope is £23 million pounds per year, so a total financial envelope of £230 million pounds over the maximum 10 year duration.

Bidders must have a minimum annual turnover (2022/23) of £23 million pounds) to be eligible for award of this contract.

In addition Providers should be appropriately CQC registered.

In order to facilitate joint bids, partnerships and subcontracting arrangements, the Commissioners will be maintaining a Provider Information directory for the duration of the tender preparation window. This is designed to assist Providers of all sizes and from all market segments (e.g. SMEs and VCSEs) to actively collaborate and participate in providing this service.

The deadline for receipt of tenders is 12pm on 4th September 2023.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the live opportunities list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. This opportunity is titled 'Sussex ICB Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS)' and Contract Ref C190470. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Additional information: Previous Market Engagement: Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) NHS/SOEPS/23.922 ME NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) F01: Prior information notice Prior information only Notice reference: 2023/S 000-010047

Key Aims and Objectives • High quality and consistently patient-centred, minimising waiting times, keeping people informed, better integration into treatment and discharge pathways and providing patients with more control. • A service that can demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness within contract value to meet complex conveyance needs, including bariatric and higher acuity patients. • A service that demonstrates the ability to provide a flexible and resilient service able to meet changing demands whilst maintaining business continuity at all times. • The ability to provide innovative and efficient communication channels to patients and a variety of NHS-funded stakeholder sites in the engagement and provision of its service. • A service capable of completing all transport journeys within the agreed timescales. • Work with system partners and contribute to the wider Sussex Health Care system. • Ensure that all patients who meet the eligibility criteria are conveyed safely, with dignity and in comfort to their destination. • Improvements in data and technology capabilities which allow transport coordination to optimise demand and capacity. • Provide a consistent standardised delivery of service from a suitable range of vehicles which meet the net zero carbon emissions, staffed by a professional and skilled workforce.

The services are deemed to be subject to the full regime of current EU procurement legislation and as such this tender will be conducted in accordance with, and governed by, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. This contract will therefore be awarded in accordance with the provisions applicable in Section 5 (sub-section 7) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The contracting authority intends to observe the provisions and 10 day standstill period described in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The deadline for lodging of appeals should be in accordance with Regulation 87 and Regulation 91 of the 2015 Regulations.