NHS London Procurement Partnership (LPP), hosted by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, runs a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) and other transport services. It’s a UK-wide DPS that’s been open since October 2019, with applications running continuously as suppliers can join at any point during the DPS lifetime.

Reference: LPP/2019/007.

Because it’s a DPS rather than a closed framework, admittance is not competitive. Every supplier that meets the exclusion, selection and evaluation criteria is admitted. Contracting Authorities across NHS trusts and other public bodies then run further competitions off the DPS to award specific contracts.

Our patient transport services tender writing support works with providers bidding into arrangements like this across the UK.

What services are required?

The DPS covers Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) and related services, structured across six categories. It includes core patient transport, mental health and secure transport, high dependency transport, taxi and passenger services, booking and eligibility assessment, and transport of medicines. Every category has its own regulatory and vehicle profile.

Six lots/categories available:

• Category 1: Booking and Eligibility Assessment. The service that decides who qualifies for NEPT and books their journeys.
• Category 2: Core Patient Transport Services. Standard non-emergency journeys for patients travelling to and from healthcare appointments.
• Category 3: Mental Health and Secure Transport. Specialist transport for patients with mental health needs, including secure transport where required.
• Category 4: High Dependency Transport. Transport for patients with complex clinical needs, including those requiring in-transit clinical intervention.
• Category 5: Taxi and Passenger Services. Transport delivered via taxi or private hire vehicle operators.
• Category 6: Transport of Medicines. Movement of medicines between NHS sites and other authorised locations.

Pricing isn’t set at DPS level. Rates are determined at further competition by individual Contracting Authorities based on journey type, mobility classification and service requirements. This is important: joining the DPS gets you into the pool, but you’ll price at call-off.

There’s a 2% management charge on all DPS contracts, payment terms of 30 days, and no charge for joining the DPS.

What is it solving?

Three connected pressures sit behind this DPS. First, supply of non-emergency patient transport across NHS trusts: the NHS needs a live, pre-approved pool of transport providers to draw from at short notice. Second, specialist capacity: NEPT spans everything from routine patient journeys to mental health and secure transport, and no single provider covers all of it. The six-category structure lets NHS bodies match the right provider type to the right journey. Third, medicines logistics: the addition of Category 6 (Transport of Medicines) recognises that pharmaceutical transport has its own regulatory and safety requirements distinct from patient transport.

For patients, the goal is safe, reliable, dignified transport to and from healthcare, regardless of complexity. For NHS commissioners, the goal is a consistent, quality-assured supply chain without repeated full-scale procurements.

Who is it ideal for?

This DPS is built for established transport operators with the vehicles, drivers, licensing and clinical capability to deliver one or more of the six categories. It suits:

• Patient transport operators (Categories 2, 3, 4)
• Mental health and secure transport specialists (Category 3)
• Taxi and private hire operators licensed by local authorities (Category 5)
• Pharmacy logistics and medicines transport providers (Category 6)
• Booking service providers with eligibility assessment expertise (Category 1)

Because admittance is not competitive and there’s no cap on providers, this is a strong long-term route for transport operators who meet the standards. Our case studies show how we’ve supported providers to win DPS-based frameworks across health and care.

Service type and user group

The service is Non-Emergency Patient Transport and related services for all ages, including children under 18, adults, vulnerable adults, and elderly or infirm passengers. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless otherwise agreed.

Lot structure and regulatory requirements

Each category has its own regulatory profile. The table below sets out where CQC registration or other licences apply:

Providers can apply for one, several or all categories, depending on their fleet, workforce and licensing position.

Location

The DPS is UK-wide. Suppliers specify their geographic regions and delivery locations at application. Contracting Authorities then define specific areas at further competition stage. So you’re not locked into a national footprint just because the DPS is national. You bid where you can actually deliver.

Mandatory eligibility requirements

These are the pass-or-fail conditions:

• Pass all economic and financial standing assessments.
• Pass all mandatory exclusions (Section 2).
• Pass all discretionary exclusions.
• Meet the insurance requirements in full (details below).
• DBS checks for all staff.
• ICO registration.
• Prompt Payment Code compliance.
• Modern Slavery Act compliance.
• Acceptance of DPS Terms and Conditions.

Previous experience

• Three references required, minimum score of 27/45.
• References must demonstrate service provision in relevant categories within the past 3 years, covering implementation quality, performance and customer satisfaction.

Driver licensing

• Full UK driving licence for the vehicle class.
• Maximum 6 penalty points (none for drink/drugs, careless or dangerous driving).
• IHCD D1/D2 for ambulance drivers.
• Enhanced DBS checks required.

Vehicle specifications

• Vehicles under 5-7 years old.
• BS EN 1789:2007 compliant for ambulances.
• M1/M2 standards where applicable.
• Wheelchair accessible (MDA DB2003(03) compliant).
• Temperature-controlled for medicines.
• GPS tracked.
• Appropriate insurance for the vehicle and service type.

Insurance requirements

• Employer’s Liability: minimum £5m.
• Public Liability: minimum £5m.
• Professional Indemnity: minimum £5m.
• Commercial Motor Insurance.
• Goods in Transit insurance (for Category 6 medicines transport).

Required policies

Suppliers must evidence the following policies:

• Environmental Management
• Quality Management
• Sustainability
• Business Continuity
• Information Security
• Data Storage
• GDPR compliance
• Safeguarding
• Health and Safety
• Infection Control
• Counter Fraud Awareness
• Green Transport Policy

Timeline

• Tender Opening Date: 2 October 2019
• Tender Closing: 6 February 2029 at 12:00 (though the DPS remains ongoing throughout its term, meaning suppliers can request participation at any point during the DPS lifetime).

What should providers have in place?

• CQC registration for Categories 2, 3 and 4.
• WDA(H) authorisation for Category 6 (strongly encouraged).
• Local authority taxi/PHV licensing for Category 5.
• Compliant vehicle fleet meeting the specifications above, including BS EN 1789:2007 for ambulances and MDA DB2003(03) for wheelchair accessibility.
• Driver workforce with the right licences, DBS clearance, and IHCD D1/D2 qualifications for ambulance drivers.
• Insurance cover at the specified levels including Goods in Transit for medicines.
• Three references from the past 3 years scoring at least 27/45 across implementation quality, performance and customer satisfaction.
• Full policy pack covering environmental, quality, safeguarding, infection control, GDPR, information security and green transport.
• Operational capability in the geographic regions you’re bidding for.

For further reading on how DPS-based commissioning, pass-or-fail thresholds and reference scoring are shaping transport tenders, visit our blog.

Watch: tender summary video

Next steps

If you want to speak to a sales manager about your application, contact the AssuredBID team. We’ll talk through your regulatory position across the six categories, your fleet and driver readiness, your reference evidence, and your bid strategy. Our specialist bid writers can then support your submission and any subsequent further competitions.

To browse all current opportunities we’re tracking, visit our open tenders page.