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

Argyll and Bute Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Aug 2026 at 16:48

Award Notice
Tender

22 Jun 2026 at 11:28

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council procured school transport services between Ulva and Mull. The requirement is for a vessel transport operator to provide safe and secure transport for school journeys on the designated island routes. The work falls within passenger transport services and is delivered between Ulva and Mull, in the Argyll and Bute area. The council is the buying organisation and user of the service. The requirement concerns operational ferry or vessel provision rather than general land-based school buses, so it is most relevant to operators with suitable vessels, maritime crews and experience carrying out regular passenger services in island or coastal settings. The successful supplier is The Ulva Ferry, an SME based at Ulva Ferry on the Isle of Mull.

The procurement has reached completion: one bid was received and an active contract was awarded to The Ulva Ferry. The contract was signed on 14 August 2026 for £133,621, and its stated contract period runs from 17 August 2026 to 4 July 2031. Argyll and Bute Council used an open procedure, with electronic submission and English-language bids. The tender deadline and bid opening were both 23 July 2026 at 12:00. Evaluation was based on price at 75% and quality at 25%; variant bids were allowed. The single lot is marked cancelled in the tender data, although the award and contract records show an active awarded contract. The contract may be extended by up to two years at the council’s option, subject to satisfactory performance and discussion with the successful tenderer.

This award demonstrates a defined requirement for specialist school transport by vessel on the Ulva–Mull routes, delivered through a relatively small supplier rather than a large transport group. A credible future competitor would need to operate an appropriate vessel and provide safe, dependable school services in an island environment. The stated technical requirements include navigation and piloting of ferries on designated routes and compliance with maritime safety and operational regulations. Evidence of competent maritime personnel, route knowledge, vessel availability, robust safety management and reliable day-to-day operations would therefore be important. Suppliers should also be able to submit electronically, manage electronic ordering and support electronic payment and invoicing arrangements. The buyer’s strong emphasis on price, alongside a significant quality component, makes both cost control and demonstrable service quality central to competing effectively.

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Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9e4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081951-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

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
SME

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
£133,621 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
17 Aug 2026 - 4 Jul 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
4 years, 4 months, 20 days or 6 years, 4 month

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The Ulva Ferry

Further Information

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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