Award

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

18 Feb 2026 at 09:50

Tender

02 Feb 2026 at 11:12

Summary of the contracting process

CalMac Ferries Limited is currently seeking to engage a strategic digital partner to manage and enhance its business-critical digital platform, which integrates three public-facing websites and mobile applications crucial for ferry services and customer interactions. The tender, titled "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications," falls under the services category with a focus on IT consulting and software development, classified under CPV code 72000000. The procurement process is at the active tender stage with the method being a competitive procedure with negotiation. Submissions are to be made electronically, with the deadline set for 4th March 2026. The project is valued at £7,500,000 and is central to CalMac's digital strategy in Gourock, UKM region, aligning with significant compliance and governance standards.

This procurement opportunity presents a significant chance for businesses in the IT services sector to grow by partnering with CalMac Ferries Limited. Ideal candidates would be organisations capable of providing ongoing support, infrastructure management, and continuous digital enhancements, particularly those experienced in working with Azure-hosted systems and Umbraco CMS. There is an emphasis on delivering future innovations through structured change control. Additionally, bidders are encouraged to propose community benefits, such as supporting local employment and education through work placements and partnerships, thus enhancing their value proposition beyond technical and financial aspects. This tender is tailored to companies with proven financial stability and insurance coverage, offering substantial potential for long-term business development and community engagement.

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Notice Title

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

Notice Description

CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.

Lot Information

Lot 1

CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.

Renewal: The initial term will run for a period of 3 years, after which there will be the option to extend by up to an additional 24 months.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0613f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014602-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
4 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Cancelled
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GOUROCK
Postcode
PA19 1QP
Post Town
Paisley
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM33 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Inverclyde
Electoral Ward
Inverclyde West
Westminster Constituency
Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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