Award

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

18 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Tender

02 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by CalMac Ferries Limited is for the selection of a strategic digital partner to oversee the development and enhancement of its digital platforms, including websites and mobile applications. As a key ferry operator, CalMac requires a partner to manage and improve its existing digital infrastructure which is vital for communication and operational support. This project, tendered under a competitive procedure with negotiation, falls under the services industry category, specifically focusing on IT and telecommunications services. Located in the UKM region, the tender is in the active stage with a submission deadline of 4th March 2026. The procurement method is selective, indicating that not all interested bidders will be invited to tender. The estimated contract value is GBP 7,500,000, and the contract is set to run for three years with the possibility of a two-year extension.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in digital transformation and IT services. Enterprises with expertise in managing digital platforms, cloud hosting, and system integration, particularly using Microsoft Azure, would find this contract attractive for growth. The procurement requires compliance with high technical and economic standards, making it suitable for established companies with proven track records in similar projects. With community benefits integrated into the procurement, such as promoting STEM education and offering apprenticeships, companies that value corporate social responsibility can enhance their profiles. This tender represents an opportunity not only for business growth but also for contributing to community development and skills enhancement in the region.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

Notice Description

CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.

Lot Information

Lot 1

CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.

Renewal: The initial term will run for a period of 3 years, after which there will be the option to extend by up to an additional 24 months.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000822294
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549813
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation
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

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
4 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Cancelled
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GOUROCK
Postcode
PA19 1QP
Post Town
Paisley
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM33 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Inverclyde
Electoral Ward
Inverclyde West
Westminster Constituency
Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB548509
    Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications - CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549813
    Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications - CalMac Ferries operates a business-critical digital platform comprising three public-facing websites (CalMac Consumer, CalMac Corporate, and David MacBrayne Group) and native mobile applications for iOS and Android. This platform is central to delivering ferry services, customer communications, and operational support. The current solution is built on Umbraco CMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, and integrates with multiple internal and third-party systems, including booking, messaging, and analytics. It supports real-time service updates, timetables, and customer notifications, and is aligned with CalMac's Digital North Star roadmap, which aims to create a seamless, data-driven customer experience. CalMac now seeks a strategic digital partner to provide: -Ongoing support and maintenance of the existing platform. -Hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. -Continuous improvement and iterative enhancements under CalMac's governance. -Compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory standards. -Capability to deliver future integrations and innovation through structured change control. The partner will act as a delivery partner, not a strategic owner, ensuring stability, scalability, and resilience while supporting CalMac's long-term digital vision.

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