Wheelchair Accessible Coach Transport Services for Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Southern Health and Social Care Trust is seeking providers for a new framework covering wheelchair accessible coach transport services, with an estimated total value of £8.1 million excluding VAT.

The procurement is being managed by Business Services Organisation (BSO) Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) on behalf of the Trust and will establish a closed framework covering 11 transport routes.

The requirements primarily involve 16–24 seat coaches operating across areas including Newry, Kilkeel, Armagh, Dungannon, Aughnacloy, Augher, Clogher and Fivemiletown, providing transport to a range of day centres and other services.

The framework is expected to commence on 1 November 2026 and run for four years until 31 October 2030.

Lots Available

The framework has been divided into 11 lots:

• Lot 1 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Newry Area Town Run 1A to ARC Day Ops and Orchard Day Centre – estimated value £915,229 excluding VAT
• Lot 2 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Kilkeel Area to Donard Day Centre – estimated value £686,421 excluding VAT
• Lot 3 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Newry Area Town Run 1B to Laurels, Millview and Orchard Day Centres – estimated value £915,228 excluding VAT
• Lot 4 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Newry Area Town Run 2 to Windsor and Orchard Day Centres – estimated value £915,230 excluding VAT
• Lot 5 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Kilkeel 1 Area to Windsor, Laurels Day Centres Newry and the Arc Day Ops – estimated value £846,586 excluding VAT
• Lot 6 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Kilkeel 2 Area to Mourne Stimulus Kilkeel – estimated value £846,585 excluding VAT
• Lot 7 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Armagh Area to Station Road Day Centre Armagh – estimated value £640,659 excluding VAT
• Lot 8 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Dungannon Area to Willow bank Day Centre Dungannon – estimated value £686,422 excluding VAT
• Lot 9 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Dungannon Rural area to Oakridge SEC Dungannon – estimated value £343,211 excluding VAT
• Lot 10 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Aughnacloy area to McCague Day Centre Aughnacloy – estimated value £709,303 excluding VAT
• Lot 11 – 16-24 Seat Coach – Augher, Clogher, Fivemiletown to Clogher Day Centre – estimated value £594,899 excluding VAT

The individual lot figures represent the upper values of the ranges specified by the buyer and incorporate the four-year framework period, contingency for potential increases in usage and prices, and potential procurement-related extensions.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Southern Health and Social Care Trust
• Procurement Organisation: Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service
• Deadline: 15th Sep 2026 15:00
• Contract Value: £8,099,773 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: 4 years – 1st November 2026 to 31st October 2030
• Tender Link: eTendersNI
• Reference: 5993511

The estimated award decision date is 12 October 2026.

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement includes a number of Pass/Fail requirements:

• Mandatory Mid-Tier Schedules – Pass/Fail
• Compliance with the scope and requirements of Schedule 02 (Specification) – Pass/Fail
• Verification of technical evidence, including a current and valid International Bus Operators Licence – Pass/Fail

Providers satisfying the applicable requirements will then be assessed on:

• Price – 100%

Further details of the assessment methodology are contained within the tender documentation.

Framework Information

The arrangement will operate as a closed framework with no specified maximum number of suppliers.

Services may be commissioned through either Direct Call-Off or Further Competition, or a combination of both approaches, in accordance with the framework documentation.

No framework fee will be charged to suppliers.

The Trust has also reserved the right to introduce additional services during the framework period depending on buyer requirements.

The estimated framework value incorporates contingency for increased service usage, price increases and potential extensions of up to and including 18 months where required for procurement exercises.

The opportunity provides transport operators with access to a substantial four-year framework supporting wheelchair accessible travel to day centres and services across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area, with providers required to demonstrate appropriate technical and operator licensing compliance.

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