Tender

Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications

CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

CalMac Ferries Limited is inviting bids for their procurement process titled "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications​." The tender primarily focuses on improving the digital platform that supports customer communications, operational support, and real-time service updates for ferry services. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically within the IT industry, and is conducted through a competitive procedure with negotiation. Operating in the UKM region, the buying organisation is a public ferry operator. Key dates include the submission deadline on 23rd March 2026, while the tender process will be managed electronically through PCS-Tender. The successful contractor will be expected to provide ongoing support and improvements, host infrastructure within Microsoft Azure, and adhere to various compliance standards, aligning with CalMac's long-term digital strategy.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in digital services, particularly those with expertise in Microsoft Azure infrastructure, website and mobile application development, and systems integration. The contract, valued at £7.5 million, is likely to appeal to companies equipped to manage large-scale digital platforms and capable of iterative improvements under governance protocols. Businesses with a minimum annual turnover of £7.5 million and capable of meeting certain financial ratios are encouraged to apply, with scope for community benefits through skills development and local engagement initiatives. Potential suppliers may benefit from work experience placements, apprenticeship opportunities, and partnerships supporting STEM education, creating avenues for business growth and fostering local skills enhancement.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

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-r6ebe6-0000824008
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549809
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
18 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
23 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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ruairidh.black@calmac.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1475650230

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=FEB549809
    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

Download

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-r6ebe6-0000824008-2026-02-18T00:00:00Z",
    "date": "2026-02-18T00:00:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000824008",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "org-21",
            "name": "CalMac Ferries Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "CalMac Ferries Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Ferry Terminal",
                "locality": "Gourock",
                "region": "UKM",
                "postalCode": "PA19 1QP"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "ruairidh.black@calmac.co.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 1475650230",
                "url": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Body governed by public law",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "Ferry Operator",
                        "scheme": "COFOG"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "http://www.calmac.co.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-22",
            "name": "Greenock Sherift Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Greenock Sherift Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Nelson Street",
                "locality": "Greenock",
                "postalCode": "PA15 1TR"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "name": "CalMac Ferries Limited",
        "id": "org-21"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ITSW25-134",
        "title": "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications",
        "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.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "72000000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 7500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive procedure with negotiation",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-23T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "FEB549809",
                "documentType": "contractNotice",
                "title": "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications",
                "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.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549809",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "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.",
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "70"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "30"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "secondStage": {
                    "maximumCandidates": 5
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1800
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "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."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "atypicalToolUrl": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/"
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "hasElectronicPayment": true,
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "performanceTerms": "As defined in the Tender documentation."
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "secondStage": {
            "successiveReduction": true,
            "noNegotiationNecessary": true,
            "invitationDate": "2026-04-17T00:00:00Z"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "minimum": "Minimum annual turnover of GBP 7.5 Million Ratios based on the most recent full year of published accounts: 1- Return on Capital Employed: must be at a ratio greater than \"0\" 2- Acid Test (Current Ratio): Current Ratio must be greater than \"1\" 3- Gearing: Gearing must be a figure of less than 100% 4- Interest Coverage: Interest Coverage must be a figure of 2 or above Insurance requirement: Employer's Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million Public Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million Professional Indemnity Insurance = GBP 5 Million Product Liability Insurance= GBP 5 Million Cyber Insurance Minimum Amount = GBP 2 Million"
                }
            ]
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 360
            }
        },
        "classification": {
            "id": "72000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false,
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        }
    },
    "language": "EN",
    "description": "The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 31067. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 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: CalMac is committed to delivering wider social value through this procurement. While the primary focus is on securing a strategic digital partner, we encourage suppliers to propose community benefits such as: -Offering work experience placements for students or individuals seeking digital skills. -Creating apprenticeship or graduate opportunities within the contract delivery team. -Partnering with local colleges, universities, or charities to support STEM education, digital inclusion, or community projects. -Providing training and knowledge transfer to enhance local capability and employment prospects. Suppliers should outline any initiatives that contribute to skills development, local employment, and community engagement in their response. These will be considered as part of the overall value-for-money and social impact assessment. (SC Ref:824008)",
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000824008"
        }
    ],
    "noticetype": "OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice"
}