Planning

Port of Dover - IGNITE

DOVER HARBOUR BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Apr 2026 at 07:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 Apr 2026 at 10:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Port of Dover is undertaking the IGNITE Programme, a digital transformation initiative aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. The buying organisation, Dover Harbour Board, is located in Dover, United Kingdom, with an address at Harbour House, Marine Parade, CT17 9BU. The process is currently in the planning stage, with a market engagement event scheduled at the Port on 20th May 2026. Business users interested in the programme can engage with the organisers by contacting James Bowman via email. The procurement process involves services and covers broad industry categories such as computer-related services, internet services, and data services, aligning with objectives outlined in the Port of Dover 2050 Masterplan. The contract period is planned to start on 10th January 2027 and end on 10th January 2032.

The IGNITE Programme presents vast business growth opportunities, particularly for organisations specialising in IT and digital services, cloud operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure engineering. Businesses with expertise in modernising IT systems, developing software, and managing digital services are well-suited to contribute to the programme’s objectives. Companies offering managed services, consultancy in cybersecurity, and those capable of supporting cloud and infrastructure projects will find ample opportunities to engage. This tender promotes innovation in technology and aims to unify digital and operational capabilities, making it an attractive prospect for businesses aiming to expand their scope in smart and secure digital transformation projects.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Port of Dover - IGNITE

Notice Description

IGNITE is the Port of Dover's multi-year digital transformation initiative, dedicated to enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and reinforcing the port's digital infrastructure. The programme aims to support secure, data-driven, and innovative operations that are aligned with the objectives outlined in the Port of Dover 2050 Masterplan. The core objectives of the program are: * Create and implement a unified, seamless customer experience at the Port of Dover for all visitors, enhancing convenience, clarity, efficiency, and engagement throughout their journey. * Align business processes, technology, and data to unify digital and operational capabilities, reduce fragmentation, boost efficiency, and enable coordinated decision-making across the port. * Strengthen digital capabilities for lasting change by upgrading core IT systems, platforms, and architecture. This reduces legacy risks and lays a secure, scalable foundation to support transformation through 2030 and into the future. * Treat data as a strategic asset by creating an integrated landscape that supports insight-driven operations, monitoring, forecasting, and evidence-based decisions across all domains. * Promote innovation by incorporating technology, sensors, and artificial intelligence. Employ sensor networks, automated systems, and smart features to monitor activities, boost safety, and spot opportunities to refine workflows and customer services. * Enhance cyber security to protect digital services, data, and operations as the port adopts more digital and data-driven practices. We expect requirements for multiple disciplines within this sector including, though not limited to: 1. Managed IT and Digital Services - For suppliers who take operational ownership of technology platforms and services. - Service desk & end-user computing - Core IT infrastructure operations - Cloud operations & optimisation (Azure, hybrid cloud) - Network management (LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi/fibre) - Database administration & platform support - Application support (L2/L3) including IGNITE digital systems - Monitoring, observability, and event management - Patch, lifecycle and configuration management - SLA-driven service delivery & continual improvement 2. Digital Delivery, Development & Resource Augmentation (Body-Shop) - For flexible on-demand skills that slot into IGNITE product and project teams. - Software developers (front/back/full-stack) - Integration developers (APIs, event-driven apps) - Cloud engineers & DevOps - Data engineers, analysts, scientists - Testers & QA automation - Solution & enterprise architects - Business analysts, UX/UI designers, service designers - Project & delivery roles (PM, Scrum Master, Product Owner) 3. Infrastructure, Networking & Cloud Engineering (Project + Managed) - For suppliers who build, enhance or modernise core technical foundations. - Physical and virtual server builds, migrations & refresh - Network architecture, upgrades, and expansion - Cloud design, landing zones, identity & tenancy setup - M365 collaboration and security engineering - Storage, backup, DR, retention architecture - Automation (IaC, DevOps pipelines) - Edge computing & hybrid-cloud environments 4. IT/OT Converged Technology & Smart Port Systems - For suppliers covering operational technologies essential to IGNITE's ecosystem integration. - IoT sensors, cameras, ANPR, HMI systems - Integration between OT data streams and NEXUS - OT network design & segmentation - On-site field engineering (installs, config, maintenance) - Operational monitoring of OT estates - Smart-port technologies 5. Cybersecurity, Identity & Resilience - To allow both managed cyber services and specialist consultancy. - SOC/MDR services - Identity management (IAM, PAM, Zero Trust) - Pen testing, red teaming, vulnerability scanning - Incident response and forensics - Security architecture for IT & OT - Business continuity and disaster recovery - Governance, risk, compliance and assurance 6. Digital Strategy, Architecture & Professional Advisory - For high-value expertise needed during planning, design and assurance. - Enterprise, solution, data, and technical architecture - Digital strategy development, roadmaps, investment planning - Benefits modelling, value mapping, options analysis - PMO, governance, assurance and audit - Commercial advisory & procurement support - Sustainability & environmental impact analysis for digital services

Planning Information

We are in the process of defining our plan and strategy for the delivery of the IGNITE Programme. We would like to undertake engagement with the market to understand the available options and develop scope across the many expected disciplines required for delivery. We will be holding an event at the Port on 20th May 2026, which will allow an opportunity to further demonstrate our requirements and ambitions, including further steps about how we will continue to engage. To register your interest, please contact James Bowman - james.abowman@portofdover.com and Amy Jones - amy.jones@portofdover.com

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068854
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037344-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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

72130000 - Computer-site planning consultancy services

72150000 - Computer audit consultancy and hardware consultancy services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72300000 - Data services

72400000 - Internet services

72500000 - Computer-related services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

72700000 - Computer network services

72800000 - Computer audit and testing services

72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Jan 2027 - 10 Jan 2032 Over 5 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
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
TLJ44 East Kent
Local Authority
Dover
Electoral Ward
Town & Castle
Westminster Constituency
Dover and Deal

Further Information

Notice Documents

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. 

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