Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire - Floating Bridge (Chain Ferry) Cowes / East Cowes

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Feb 2026 at 15:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Isle of Wight Council is in the planning stage of a public procurement process aimed at replacing the current Cowes Floating Bridge chain ferry with a new, improved vessel. This procurement falls within the 'goods' and 'services' categories, and the project is located in the UKJ34 region, United Kingdom. The council has initiated a preliminary market engagement process to gather insights from marine-related organisations. Key dates include the questionnaire deadline set for 31st March 2026 and the contract period anticipated to start from 1st September 2026, running through to 30th September 2028.

Businesses specialising in marine construction, engineering, and ferry transport services stand to benefit significantly from participating in this tender. Given the focus on upgrading the performance standards of the ferry service, firms involved in ship and boat construction as well as repair and maintenance will find a conducive opportunity for growth and development. Organisations that can provide integrated engineering services, especially those tailored to civil engineering works, are well-suited to compete and collaborate with the council's vision for this project. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are encouraged to engage, offering potential for expanding their reach within the public sector market.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire - Floating Bridge (Chain Ferry) Cowes / East Cowes

Notice Description

The Isle of Wight Council (the Council) has resolved to replace the current Cowes Floating Bridge 6 chain ferry, which serves the communities of Cowes and East Cowes with a new vessel that meets improved performance standards and reduces the financial subsidy provided from the council to the service. To help inform how the Council could tender for this project it has resolved to undertake a preliminary market engagement exercise. This UK2 Notice forms the first stage of that exercise and as such the Council is seeking insight from relevant marine related organisations. The dates set out to this notice are indicative for a design build phase to commissioning into service - but would be informed by the market.

Planning Information

This is an initial engagement process - the Council may conduct further rounds of preliminary market engagement based on findings from initial supplier insight. Specifically the Council has set out a series of questions which we are seeking insight from the marine supplier market. The questionnaire can be accessed by the below link: https://forms.office.com/e/mit9rHfgKz The Council has also produced an accompany document that provides more details on the current context and how to engage. If you would like this document please contact Steve Sandercock (Procurement Consultant) steve.sandercock@iow.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065c52
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017000-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

45 - Construction work

50 - Repair and maintenance services

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

34500000 - Ships and boats

45244000 - Marine construction works

50240000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to marine and other equipment

60610000 - Ferry transport services

60640000 - Shipping operations

71240000 - Architectural, engineering and planning services

71322000 - Engineering design services for the construction of civil engineering works

71340000 - Integrated engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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