Provision of School Transport Services, Ulva & Mull (1148L)

ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

22 Jun 2026 at 10:28

Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council is currently seeking a vessel transport operator to provide school transport services between Ulva and Mull, as described in the active tender process titled "Provision of School Transport Services, Ulva & Mull (1148L)." This procurement falls under the transport services industry category and is being managed through an open procedure. The procurement process is in the tender stage, with submissions due by 23rd July 2026 at 12:00 PM BST. The contract period is from 17th August 2026 to 4th July 2031, with a potential extension of up to two years. The Council, a regional authority based in Lochgilphead, UK, emphasises electronic submission via the Public Contracts Scotland portal. This tender also includes community benefits, aligning with public sector procurement policies.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies experienced in maritime transport services, particularly those with expertise in the navigation and piloting of ferries. Businesses capable of ensuring compliance with maritime safety regulations will find this opportunity highly relevant. The award criteria are heavily weighted towards price (75%) with a focus on quality making up the remaining 25%, suggesting competitive pricing and high service standards will be crucial for success. Companies interested will benefit from the recurring nature of the contract and the inclusion of electronic processes for tender management and invoicing, which can streamline operational efficiencies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of School Transport Services, Ulva & Mull (1148L)

Notice Description

Argyll and Bute Council are looking to Contract with a vessel transport operator who will provide safe and secure school transport between Ulva & Mull.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Argyll and Bute Council are looking to contract with a vessel transport operator who will provide safe and secure school transport between Ulva & Mull.

Renewal: The Contract may be extended for up to 2 years at the option of Argyll and Bute Council, subject to satisfactory performance of the Contract and following discussions with the successful Tenderer.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9e4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058409-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Aug 2026 - 4 Jul 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
4 years, 4 months, 20 days or 6 years, 4 month

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ARGYLL AND BUTE 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
LOCHGILPHEAD
Postcode
PA31 8RT
Post Town
Paisley
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute

Local Authority
Argyll and Bute
Electoral Ward
Mid Argyll
Westminster Constituency
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b9e4-2026-06-22T11:28:30+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-22T11:28:30+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06b9e4",
    "description": "As described in the Invitation to Tender 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=835226. 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. 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: As described in the Invitation to Tender (minimum of 60 points) (SC Ref:835226)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "(1148L)",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Provision of School Transport Services, Ulva & Mull (1148L)",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "60000000",
            "description": "Transport services (excl. Waste transport)"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Argyll and Bute Council are looking to Contract with a vessel transport operator who will provide safe and secure school transport between Ulva & Mull.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Argyll and Bute Council are looking to contract with a vessel transport operator who will provide safe and secure school transport between Ulva & Mull.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "25%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "75%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-08-17T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2031-07-04T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Contract may be extended for up to 2 years at the option of Argyll and Bute Council, subject to satisfactory performance of the Contract and following discussions with the successful Tenderer."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "allowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "60000000",
                        "description": "Transport services (excl. Waste transport)"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM63"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "communication": {
            "atypicalToolUrl": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "As described in the Invitation to Tender",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "Navigation and piloting of ferries on designated routes. Compliance with all maritime safety and operational regulations."
                }
            ]
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "performanceTerms": "As described in the Invitation to Tender",
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-07-23T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-10-09T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-07-23T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2026-07-23T12:00:00+01:00",
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "On-line via PCS Post-box."
            }
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "4 years, 4 months, 20 days or 6 years, 4 month"
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-3190",
            "name": "Argyll and Bute Council",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Argyll and Bute Council"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Kilmory",
                "locality": "Lochgilphead",
                "region": "UKM63",
                "postalCode": "PA31 8RT",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Annabel Travers",
                "telephone": "+44 1586555232",
                "email": "Annabel.Travers@argyll-bute.gov.uk",
                "url": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00063",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "REGIONAL_AUTHORITY",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Regional or local authority"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "01",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "General public services"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-15667",
            "name": "Oban Sheriff Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Oban Sheriff Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sheriff Court House, Albany Street",
                "locality": "Oban",
                "postalCode": "PA34 4AL",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1631562414",
                "email": "oban@scotcourts.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-3190",
        "name": "Argyll and Bute Council"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000835226"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}