Tender

Provision of Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract RoPax Vessels

ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL (HARBOUR AUTHORITY)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

11 Dec 2025 at 15:43

Tender

18 Nov 2025 at 15:21

Summary of the contracting process

Orkney Islands Council (Harbour Authority) is seeking a suitably qualified contractor for the design and build of three RoPax vessels, with an option for a fourth. The procurement falls under the goods category, specifically for ships and boats, and is located in Kirkwall, United Kingdom. The procurement process is in the tender stage, utilising a restricted procedure. Key dates include the revised submission deadline of 28th January 2026, and the anticipated dispatch of invitations by 11th February 2026. The contract value is estimated between £75,000,000 and £100,000,000, and aims to replace current ferry services as part of Orkney's Ferry Replacement Programme.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in shipyard design and construction, particularly those experienced in ferry and similar vessel projects. Companies with expertise in modern maritime technology will find this an attractive prospect due to the specification involving advanced vessel features. Given the community benefits outlined, firms with a commitment to local employment, training, and Fair Work policies will be well-positioned to compete. The project promises sustained business growth through extensive engagement and collaboration opportunities with the local supply chain in Orkney.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Provision of Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract RoPax Vessels

Notice Description

Orkney Islands Council has a requirement for a suitably qualified Contractor to complete a Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract for three new RoPax Vessels with an option for a fourth vessel to the same design.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Orkney Islands Council has a requirement for a suitably qualified Contractor to complete a Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract for RoPax vessels, three identical new RoPax Vessels with an option for a fourth vessel to the same design. Additional information: Contract Value is within the range of 75000000 to 100000000 GBP and includes the additional option of a fourth vessel.

Options: Contract is for three vessels with an option for a fourth vessel.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e381
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082144-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34500000 - Ships and boats

34510000 - Ships

34512000 - Ships and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods

34512100 - Ferry boats

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
This procurement is Phase 1 of Orkney's Ferry Replacement Programme and Phase 2 is anticipated to include the procurement of further RoPax Vessels within the next 2 years.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL (HARBOUR AUTHORITY)
Contact Name
Rosemary Colsell
Contact Email
rosemary.colsell@orkney.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1856873535

Buyer Location

Locality
KIRKWALL
Postcode
KW15 1NY
Post Town
Kirkwall
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM65 Orkney Islands

Local Authority
Orkney Islands
Electoral Ward
Kirkwall East
Westminster Constituency
Orkney and Shetland

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e381-2025-12-11T15:43:02Z",
    "date": "2025-12-11T15:43:02Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e381",
    "description": "Envisaged number of candidates: 6. Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates is detailed in the Appendix A to the contract notice document. Orkney Islands Council is committed to encouraging Fair Work Practices from their Suppliers and Contractors and bidders will be required to provide details of their organisation's policies and practices that demonstrate how their organisation addresses Fair Work Practices. Orkney Islands Council reserves the right to cancel the procurement at any stage and not award a Contract. The expenditure, work or effort undertaken by bidders prior to the award of any Contract is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of bidders. Late submissions at the SPD stage or Tenders at the Invitation to Tender stage will not be considered by the Council and all questions are to be submitted via the Question and Answer section of this contract advertisement on PCS. An economic operator that suffers or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session. 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=816015. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: Employment in Orkney - indirect community benefit to the local community in Orkney is the continued provision of Orkney Ferries directly employed seafarer posts, and passenger and freight services provided. Training of sea and shore staff in used of new equipment and maintenance. As a consequence there will be an increase of knowledge base of local suppliers due to new vessels having modern technology and therefore a requirement for a higher level of shore side backup for these vessels - both directly employed and via local contractors. Running costs and whole life cycle costs incorporated into the specification may also be considered. Employment and welfare consideration with a requirement to meet the Health and Safety and Employment legislation and Fair Work practices equivalent requirements of the Country of construction. Bidders will be required to outline their approach to community benefits as a non scored response and the Contracting Authority will welcome innovative proposals such as apprentice and student outreach. If successful, the winning bidder will be required to discuss the content of their community benefit proposal and agree a plan for delivery which will become a condition of the contract. (SC Ref:816015) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=816015",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "OIC/PROC/2248",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0025",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Provision of Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract RoPax Vessels",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "34500000",
            "description": "Ships and boats"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "description": "Orkney Islands Council has a requirement for a suitably qualified Contractor to complete a Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract for three new RoPax Vessels with an option for a fourth vessel to the same design.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 100000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Orkney Islands Council has a requirement for a suitably qualified Contractor to complete a Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract for RoPax vessels, three identical new RoPax Vessels with an option for a fourth vessel to the same design. Additional information: Contract Value is within the range of 75000000 to 100000000 GBP and includes the additional option of a fourth vessel.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "value": {
                    "amount": 100000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1800
                },
                "hasRenewal": false,
                "secondStage": {
                    "maximumCandidates": 6
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "description": "Responses to the SPD(S) will be assessed, as stated in the SPD documentation. The highest ranked bidders will be invited to Stage 2 of the process, up to a maximum of 6 tenderers."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "Contract is for three vessels with an option for a fourth vessel."
                },
                "status": "active"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34510000",
                        "description": "Ships"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34512000",
                        "description": "Ships and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34512100",
                        "description": "Ferry boats"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM65"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "communication": {
            "atypicalToolUrl": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "As detailed in the SPD and documentation.",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "submissionTerms": {
            "depositsGuarantees": "Bank Guarantees are required and will be detailed in the Invitation to Tender documnetation",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 180
            }
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "Installment payments and delivery payments in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract as detailed in the Invitation to Tender documentation.",
            "performanceTerms": "As detailed in the Invitation to Tender documentation.",
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Restricted procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-09T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "secondStage": {
            "invitationDate": "2026-01-26T00:00:00Z"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "This procurement is Phase 1 of Orkney's Ferry Replacement Programme and Phase 2 is anticipated to include the procurement of further RoPax Vessels within the next 2 years."
        },
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "unstructuredChanges": [
                    {
                        "oldValue": {
                            "date": "2026-01-09T12:00:00Z"
                        },
                        "newValue": {
                            "date": "2026-01-28T12:00:00Z"
                        },
                        "where": {
                            "section": "IV.2.2",
                            "label": "Time limit"
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "oldValue": {
                            "date": "2026-01-26"
                        },
                        "newValue": {
                            "date": "2026-02-11"
                        },
                        "where": {
                            "section": "IV.2.3",
                            "label": "Estimated date of dispatch of invitations"
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "description": "Bidders request"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-10325",
            "name": "Orkney Islands Council (Harbour Authority)",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Orkney Islands Council (Harbour Authority)"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Council Offices, School Place",
                "locality": "Kirkwall",
                "region": "UKM65",
                "postalCode": "KW15 1NY",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Rosemary Colsell",
                "telephone": "+44 1856873535",
                "email": "rosemary.colsell@orkney.gov.uk",
                "url": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.orkneyharbours.com",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11522",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "PORT_RELATED_ACTIVITIES",
                        "scheme": "TED_CE_ACTIVITY",
                        "description": "Port-related activities"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-121983",
            "name": "Kirkwall Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Kirkwall Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Watergate",
                "locality": "Kirkwall",
                "postalCode": "KW15 1DP",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1856872110",
                "email": "kirkwall@scotcourts.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody",
                "mediationBody",
                "reviewContactPoint"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-10325",
        "name": "Orkney Islands Council (Harbour Authority)"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000816015"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000816015"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}