Tender

Port of Dover - Dover System Efficiency Review

DOVER HARBOUR BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

20 Mar 2026 at 10:41

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Dover Harbour Board is currently engaged in an open tender process titled "Port of Dover - Dover System Efficiency Review." This procurement endeavour is situated within the consulting services industry, specifically targeting business analysis and management consultancy services. Based in Dover, United Kingdom, the procurement is in the tender stage with essential deadlines like the tender period concluding on 10th April 2026, and the contract start date set for 1st May 2026. The contracting authority, Dover Harbour Board, operates as a private utility and aims to improve the operational efficiency of Europe's busiest ferry port through this initiative. The process follows an open competition procurement method, under the legal framework of the UKPGA 2023/54, with a focus on transparency and accountability.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for consultancy firms specialising in business efficiency and management consultancy services. Businesses that excel in identifying and addressing systemic inefficiencies would find this tender particularly rewarding, as the winning service provider will contribute to enhancing the network's growth and traveller experience at the Port of Dover. With technical considerations weighted at 70% and commercial at 30%, firms should have robust experience in providing strategic oversight and practical solutions in complex operational environments. The contract spans two years, beginning in May 2026, with potential extensions, allowing firms to establish a lasting presence in the significant trade corridor the Port represents. This tender could greatly aid business growth, particularly for those capable of adapting to and capitalising on large-scale consultancy operations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Port of Dover - Dover System Efficiency Review

Notice Description

The Port of Dover is Europe's busiest ferry port, handling PS144 billion of trade, 33% of the UK's trade in goods. The harbour was entrusted to a board chaired by the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports by royal charter of 1606. This board was reconstituted by Act of Parliament in 1861 and renamed Dover Harbour Board ("DHB"). DHB's role is to administer, maintain and improve the harbour of Dover, so that the port is open to everyone who wishes to load or unload cargo or to embark or disembark passengers. The Port of Dover is a Trust port, DHB is a statutory corporation rather than a registered company, it has no shareholders and is accountable instead to a broad range of stakeholders. The Board is responsible for the effective strategic direction and control of the business and in order to discharge that responsibility properly, it strives to achieve best practice in corporate governance within the boundaries of an entity which is not listed. To ensure that the business is run in a responsible manner it is committed to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability. The Board continues to follow the "Ports Good Governance Guidance", issued by the Department for Transport in March 2018, and has identified further good practice in the UK Corporate Governance Code as published in updated form by the Financial Reporting Council during the year. The legal duties, powers and obligations of the Board are derived from national legislation, its own acts of Parliament and a variety of statutory instruments relating to the operation of ports. The business does not have shareholders. Nevertheless, the Board is accountable to its stakeholders for the performance of its duties and it encourages regular dialogue with its different groups of them in the furtherance of its objectives. The DHB group currently comprises Dover Harbour Board, Port of Dover Cargo Limited (10333520), Core Operational and Services Team Limited (11209566), Dover Developments Limited (09206042), Dover Waterfront Limited (09437228) (dormant) and Port of Dover Limited (07087839) (dormant). All subsidiary companies are 100% owned. DHB wishes to appoint a service provider to identify inefficiencies that exist in the system and implement solutions that will support network / short straits growth, improve the travellers' experience and ultimately reduce cost per unit

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract will commence on or around 1st May 2026 for a period of 24 months, with the possibility of 2 extensions of 12 months by mutual agreement, unless the contract is terminated earlier, in accordance with the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Contract within the tender documents.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067005
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025622-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

79990000 - Miscellaneous business-related services

79996000 - Business organisation services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Mar 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
10 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 1 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DOVER HARBOUR BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DOVER
Postcode
CT17 9BU
Post Town
Canterbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Dover
Electoral Ward
Town & Castle
Westminster Constituency
Dover and Deal

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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