This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

12 Oct 2026 at 15:43

TenderUpdate

27 Jul 2026 at 10:06

Tender

24 Jun 2026 at 09:47

Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council sought a vessel transport operator to provide safe and secure school transport in Lorn. The requirement is for passenger transport by vessel for pupils, rather than general road transport. Delivery is in Lorn, Argyll and Bute. The procurement was classified as transport services (CPV 60000000).

The procurement was unsuccessful: the lot was cancelled and no supplier was selected. The Council used an open procedure, with tenders assessed on quality (25%) and price (75%). The tender deadline was amended from 27 July to 31 July 2026 at noon; the stated contract period was 17 August 2026 to 4 July 2031, with an option to extend by up to two years subject to satisfactory performance and discussions with the successful tenderer. The notice gives no estimated or awarded value. The process was described as recurring, with a stated interval of four years and four months and twenty days, or six years and four months.

For operators considering comparable school transport work for Argyll and Bute Council, this requirement indicates demand for a vessel-based service in Lorn, with safety and security central to delivery. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate the capability and capacity to operate suitable vessels and provide dependable school journeys in the area. The Council placed most evaluation weight on price, while quality also formed part of the assessment, so a competitive offer would need to balance cost with convincing evidence of safe, reliable service delivery. The published description does not identify particular vessel specifications, accreditations or experience thresholds; those should not be assumed from this procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of School Transport Services - Lorn (1340F)

Notice Description

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

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 in Lorn.

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-06bbb2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096199-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award 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
12 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
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
Unsuccessful
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

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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