Transportation and Travel Services for Health
Framework Description
Transportation and Travel Services for Health (SBS10513) is an NHS Shared Business Services framework for non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) and related travel solutions. It started on 29 September 2025 and runs to 28 September 2027, with an option to extend for a further two years. It is a conventional framework with a fixed supplier list, organised into four lots, one of which has six specialist vehicle sub-lots.
Context & Use Case
NHS commissioners use it to buy transport that moves patients between home, hospitals, health centres, nursing homes and hospices. Needs range from high dependency and stretcher transfers to secure mental health, neonatal and end-of-life transfers. Commissioners can call off by direct award or further competition, and can buy a fully managed NEPTS service or use the transportation marketplace lot.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: High dependency transport Lot 2: Specialist vehicle transport Lots 2a–2c: Bariatric; secure mental health; paediatric and neonatal Lots 2d–2f: Palliative and end of life; sitting and wheelchair accessible; stretcher vehicle Lot 3: Non-emergency patient transport managed service Lot 4: Transportation marketplace
Lots
Lot 1: High dependency transport Lot 2: Specialist vehicle transport Lot 2a: Bariatric transport Lot 2b: Secure mental health transport Lot 2c: Paediatric and neonatal transport Lot 2d: Palliative and end of life transport Lot 2e: Sitting and wheelchair accessible transport Lot 2f: Stretcher vehicle transport Lot 3: Non-emergency patient transport managed service Lot 4: Transportation marketplace
Who Can Apply
It is aimed at NEPTS operators, specialist patient transport companies and transport marketplace providers. Appointments were made at the start of the term, so new suppliers cannot join until the framework is re-tendered, likely near 28 September 2027 or, if the two-year extension is taken, around September 2029.
Buyer Benefits
Commissioners can source very different types of transfer, from bariatric and secure transfers to routine sitting patients, without a separate tender for each. Specialist sub-lots mean they shortlist only operators with the right vehicles and crews. The managed service lot lets a trust hand booking and delivery to one provider, and the framework is aligned with NHS net-zero transport goals.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should prepare for further competitions by keeping fleet, crew training and performance data current, especially for the specialist sub-lots. Other operators should study the lot and sub-lot structure on the NHS SBS framework page and build evidence of NHS patient transport delivery now, ready for the re-tender expected towards 28 September 2027 or after the extension.
How Athena Can Help
For operators already on SBS10513, Athena's bid writers and pricing specialists can help you win further competitions, building win themes around fleet capability, patient experience and net-zero commitments, and modelling your likely score against other transport providers.
If you want a place on the next iteration, we offer framework application support to pick the right lots and sub-lots and prepare policies, case studies and certificates early, alongside public sector tender advice on pricing contracts that still make a profit.
