Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4)

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad-2026-06-05T11:14:57+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-05T11:14:57+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad",
    "description": "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=833316. 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. A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 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: The community benefits will included in the ITT documentation. (SC Ref:833316) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=833316",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "TS/FER/SER/2025/01",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4)",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "60610000",
            "description": "Ferry transport services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Provision of public services in relation to the Northern Isles Ferry Services to/or from harbours located at Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster and Stromness. The Ferry Services are currently delivered using 5 vessels (3 RoPax passenger vessels, plus 2 RoRo freighters). The estimated value for these services is currently in the range of GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million, with the forecast based on a maximum ten year contract period (to 2038). Further information is provided within the pre-tender information document attached to the contract notice. Further information on Transport Scotland can be accessed through the Transport Scotland website at: www.transport.gov.scot",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Transport Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Ministers intend to procure a new contract for the provision of Ferry Services in relation to the operation of passenger, vehicle, and freight services in the Northern Isles. This contract will replace the existing public services contract which expires on 30 June 2028 at 1400hrs. The duration of the contract will be a maximum of 10 years (8 years + 2 years). The principal public services, supported by subsidy, are the Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS4) for foot passengers, vehicles and Freight. The NIFS network provides vital year-round transportation between mainland Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The services connect Aberdeen to Lerwick (Shetland) with some sailings stopping at Kirkwall (Orkney), and Scrabster to Stromness (Orkney). Vessels are provided via a bareboat charter agreement from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). The estimated value for the delivery of these services is currently in the range of GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million with the forecast based on the above-noted maximum contract period (to 2038). In relation to fleet renewal, two new Freight Flex vessels are scheduled for introduction in the early years of the contract, in addition to plans for the replacement of the three RoPax vessels at a later date. In comparison with the existing contract, the proposed contract duration and fleet renewal plans under the NIFS4 contract are anticipated to lead to an increase in the overall net operating costs. The projected costs will remain subject to ongoing review as project costs, timelines and financial arrangements are refined. The current estimate is derived from assumptions on a number of variables including, but not limited to, fuel prices, fares policy, the deployment schedule for new vessels throughout the contract duration, and the continuation of existing funding mechanisms associated with provision of those vessels. Please note that any future changes to fares policy, vessel deployment plans, or funding arrangements will influence the final value of the NIFS4 contract.",
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality Criterion - Including approach to delivery & management, technical and sustainability aspects of the project. Full details will be provided in the ITT documents.",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "40"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Cost criterion - Further information on scoring of the prices will be provided in the ITT documents.",
                            "type": "cost",
                            "description": "60"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2028-06-30T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2038-06-30T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The initial contract duration is for 8 years with a possible extension of additional 2 years."
                },
                "secondStage": {
                    "minimumCandidates": 5,
                    "maximumCandidates": 5
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "60610000",
                        "description": "Ferry transport services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2028-06-30T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "Selection criteria detailed in Pre-tender Information document in section 10.2 List and brief description of selection criteria",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "Selection criteria detailed in Pre-tender Information document in section 10.5 Technical and Professional ability",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Restricted procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-10T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "secondStage": {
            "invitationDate": "2026-11-30T00:00:00Z"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2028-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-147198",
            "name": "Transport Scotland",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Transport Scotland"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "5th Floor, 177 Bothwell Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UKM82",
                "postalCode": "G2 7ER",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1412727100",
                "email": "FerriesNIFS4Team@transport.gov.scot",
                "url": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "centralPurchasingBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.transport.gov.scot",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00099",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Transport"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Transport"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Transport"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Transport"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-1294",
            "name": "Sheriff Clerk's Office",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Sheriff Clerk's Office"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "PO Box 23, 1 Carlton Place",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "postalCode": "G5 9DA",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "glasgow@scotcourts.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-147198",
        "name": "Transport Scotland"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000820082"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833316"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}