Tender

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

CalMac Ferries Limited is seeking a strategic digital partner for their business-critical platform, encompassing three public-facing websites and mobile applications for iOS and Android. This initiative, titled "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications," falls under the services category with a focus on ferry operations. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage with a selective procurement method, specifically a competitive procedure with negotiation. Interested parties must submit their proposals electronically by 4th March 2026. The procurement is centred in the region of UKM (United Kingdom, Northern Ireland) and aims to align with CalMac’s Digital North Star roadmap, enhancing customer experience through data-driven strategies. The contract, estimated at GBP 7,500,000, will require compliance with various security, accessibility, and regulatory standards and aims for a three-year initial term with possible extensions.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses in the digital platform and technology sector, particularly those with expertise in maintaining and innovating public-facing digital interfaces. Companies skilled in using Umbraco CMS and Microsoft Azure will find this opportunity particularly attractive, given the existing infrastructure of CalMac's digital ecosystem. Moreover, businesses that can propose sustainable enhancements and align with community benefit goals, such as offering apprenticeships or supporting STEM education, will position themselves favorably in the selection process. The tender's focus on long-term digital vision and community engagement provides a platform for growth and brand strengthening for participating businesses.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

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=FEB548509
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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
2 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Mar 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED
Contact Name
Calum Bell
Contact Email
calum.bell@calmac.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1475650232

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.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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