Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Ambulance Service
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB
Contact
Sam Torrance
Telephone
+44 1313140118
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.scottishambulance.com
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00393
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Procurement of a National Air Ambulance Service for The Scottish Ambulance Service
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60443000 - Air-rescue services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The procurement of a national air ambulance service for the Scottish Ambulance Service
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £160,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34710000 - Helicopters, aeroplanes, spacecraft and other powered aircraft
- 35112000 - Rescue and emergency equipment
- 35612500 - Search and rescue helicopters
- 35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles
- 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew
- 60440000 - Aerial and related services
- 34711110 - Fixed-wing aircrafts
- 60424110 - Hire of fixed-wing aircraft with crew
- 34711300 - Piloted aircraft
- 34711400 - Special-purpose aircraft
- 34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Scottish Ambulance Service ("the Service") provides a national air ambulance service to all of Scotland and its islands. This is the only wholly publicly funded air ambulance service in the United Kingdom and provides an invaluable resource to the public of Scotland.
Scotland presents a challenging environment for air ambulance operators. Factors to be considered include:
- Varied terrain.
- Potentially severe weather conditions.
- Longer hours of darkness in winter.
- Limited and varying airport capabilities and hours of operation.
- Future island transport provisions including ferries and airport developments or changes.
- Recognition of the Government targets on sustainability and carbon neutral.
- National planning of specialist services for example thrombectomy and major trauma.
The aims of the procurement are to deliver an innovative, sustainable, resilient and value for money air ambulance service that can respond to changes in service delivery requirements whilst maintaining a high quality care and experience for the patients and public of Scotland.
The current scope of requirements of the contract are:
1.The aircraft fleet must be capable of reaching at least 95% of the population of Scotland in one hour. The rotary aircraft must have 24/7 Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) capability and all aircraft must act as a suitable transport platform for the personnel and equipment associated with our adult, paediatric and neonatal critical care transport and retrieval teams (ScotSTAR).
2. Provision of aircraft hangarage in order to ensure 24/7 availability of aircraft during inclement weather.
3. Provision of maintenance & backup. All planned and reactive maintenance must be carried out in Scotland. Backup aircraft to be provided to the same specification as core aircraft.
4. Provision of 24/7 engineering support.
5. Provision of adequate base facilities for clinical staff. e.g., provision of Ops Room space, lockers and parking facilities etc., In addition, meeting room/training room and overnight accommodation (where necessary) for on-call clinical staff.
6. Provision of air crew member training (e.g., Technical Crew Member training for HEMS).
7.Provision of compliant radio communications system. The aircraft must be capable of compliance with the current Airwave communications system (if this is still in operation at contract commencement), and also compliance with the future Emergency Services Network (ESN) system
8. Provision of on-going monitoring of service provision by way of regular contract monitoring meetings.
The Service will provide the clinical staffing. The aircraft, flight crew (pilots), estate & facilities and engineering support will be provided by the successful contractor(s) on a managed service basis.
The successful contractor(s) shall support a variety of air ambulance missions; ranging from hospital discharges through to pre-hospital helicopter emergency calls and critical care transfers.
The chosen route to market for this procurement is the “Competitive Dialogue Procedure".
It is expected that the contract will be awarded in late May / early June 2023. The contract commencement date is subject to final confirmation, however it should be no later than early June 2025. The contract length shall be seven years, with an optional three-year extension.
The procurement will be for the award of a single contract which will cover both fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Bids shall be welcomed from a single or group of economic operators (a consortium). Consortia are not required to have a particular legal form to submit a bid. Consortia will, however, be required to assume a specific legal form if they are awarded the contract. This will be the form of a lead contractor and subcontractor(s): with one member of the consortium taking the role of prime/lead contractor, or a joint venture. The Service shall require certain formal documentation and / or guarantees depending on bidders proposed consortia form.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 August 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Scottish Ambulance Service intends to host a market engagement day on week commencing the 9th May 2022. The agenda for the day will:
1. Introduce key project stakeholders
2. Highlight the strategic vision and roadmap for air ambulance services in Scotland
3. Provide an overview of the user requirements
4. Detail the procurement process; including
4a. Quality considerations
4b. Commercial considerations
4c. The invitation to tender
5. Provide an opportunity for Q&A
Please note your interest in attending the market engagement day to Sam Torrance - sam.torrance@nhs.scot and Danielle Welsh - danielle.welsh@nhs.scot
The confirmed time, date and agenda for the market engagement day will be communicated to all interested parties as soon as possible.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=689048.
(SC Ref:689048)