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Replacement Foot Passenger Launch Service between Cowes and East Cowes

Isle of Wight Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Sep 2026 at 17:29

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

24 Dec 2025 at 10:57

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

15 Aug 2025 at 16:59

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Isle of Wight Council procured a replacement foot passenger launch service between Cowes and East Cowes. The service operates between the Floating Bridge ferry pontoon beside Cowes Slipway, at the eastern end of Medina Road, and the Gridiron pontoon on Castle Street, East Cowes. It is used when the Floating Bridge is unavailable because of planned maintenance, technical problems, weather or other environmental conditions. The requirement is for the provision and operation of a replacement passenger launch, including a crewed vessel (CPV 60651000). The work is a passenger transport service delivered on the Isle of Wight. The council is the public-sector buyer, and the procurement was considered suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement has been awarded and the contract is active. Isle of Wight Council used an open procedure, with tenders due by 16 September 2025 at 14:00 and the award decision due by 10 October 2025. Solent Cruises Limited was awarded the single lot on 24 December 2025 after one bid was received. The awarded and contracted value is £226,620 excluding VAT, or £271,944 including VAT. The contract commenced on 11 January 2026 and runs to 10 January 2029, with an option for two one-year extensions, giving a maximum end date of 10 January 2031. Evaluation weighted price at 45%, risk and method statements at 15%, proposed vessels at 10%, staff and resources at 10%, management and communication at 5%, legislative requirements at 5%, protected-characteristics needs at 5%, social value at 3%, and climate, environmental and UNESCO Biosphere impact at 2%.

This award demonstrates a recurring local need for a reliable, crewed foot-passenger launch capable of maintaining the Cowes–East Cowes crossing when the main ferry is unavailable. Credible future competitors would need access to suitable passenger vessels, appropriately trained and resourced crews, and the operational capacity to respond to planned and unplanned service interruptions, including adverse weather and technical failures. The evaluation shows that a strong offer would need clear risk assessments and method statements, robust management and communication arrangements, and evidence of compliance with relevant maritime and other legislative requirements. Suppliers should also be able to address the needs of passengers with protected characteristics, demonstrate social value, and explain their environmental and climate impacts, including effects relevant to the UNESCO Biosphere. The requirement is relevant to established passenger vessel operators and capable small businesses.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Replacement Foot Passenger Launch Service between Cowes and East Cowes

Notice Description

The provision of Replacement Foot Passenger Launch Service between Cowes and East Cowes, Isle of Wight. This service is for the provision of a replacement foot passenger launch to operate between the Floating Bridge ferry pontoon adjacent to the Cowes Slipway at the eastern end of Medina Road Cowes and the Gridiron pontoon, Castle Street, East Cowes when the Floating Bridge is not available. The replacement foot passenger launch will be required to operate when the Floating Bridge is out of service as a result of planned maintenance works; technical issues and weather or environmental conditions. For full details of the specification requirements can be found in the specification document. Contract details The contract period is for three years and commenced on 11/01/2026 with an option to extend up to two years on a one year and one year extension basis.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to two years on a one year and one year extension basis

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058947
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086140-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60651000 - Hire of vessels with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£226,620 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£226,620 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£226,620 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£226,620 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Dec 202510 months ago
Contract Period
10 Sep 2026 - 10 Jan 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Isle of Wight Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWPORT
Postcode
PO30 1UD
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ34 Isle of Wight
Delivery Location
TLJ34 Isle of Wight
Local Authority
Isle of Wight
Electoral Ward
Newport Central
Westminster Constituency
Isle of Wight West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SOLENT CRUISES LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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