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CONCEPT DESIGN OF A SMALL RoPax VESSEL

Argyll and Bute Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

18 Sep 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Tender

20 Apr 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council commissioned naval architect consultancy services to produce concept design drawings for a small roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel. The design is intended to replace MV Eilean Dhiura and provide the basis for a later detailed design and build contract. The vessel operates between Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay and Feolin on the Isle of Jura, so the requirement concerns a ferry serving this route and its operational needs. The work is classified as design consultancy services. Delivery is in Argyll and Bute. This is a single requirement for vessel concept design, rather than construction of the replacement vessel itself. The council is the public-sector buyer and the work supports its ferry service responsibilities in the area.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following an open procedure. Bids had to be submitted electronically by 11 May 2026 at 12:00, with bids valid for 120 days. The requirement was one lot with a 180-day contract period; variants were not allowed. Staff names and qualifications were required, and the award process required bidders to provide submissions in English. Six electronic bids were received, all from SMEs. Marine Design International Ltd was selected for the full requirement. The contract is active, was signed on 17 September 2026, and is valued at £20,580 including the stated currency of GBP. Electronic payment and ordering apply, with electronic invoicing permitted. The contract is not subject to renewal or additional purchase options.

For a supplier that did not win this procurement, the award demonstrates demand from Argyll and Bute Council for specialist naval architecture supporting small passenger ferry replacement. A credible future competitor would need to develop practical concept designs for a small RoRo/passenger vessel and show that its work can form a sound basis for later detailed design and construction. Relevant capability includes understanding ferry operations, vehicle and passenger movements, vessel replacement constraints and the requirements of a route linking island communities. The need to provide staff names and qualifications means bidders should be able to put forward a clearly identified, suitably qualified design team. The participation of six SME bidders indicates that the requirement can attract smaller specialist consultancies, while the successful supplier profile shows that focused marine design expertise is relevant.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CONCEPT DESIGN OF A SMALL RoPax VESSEL

Notice Description

Creation and provision of concept design drawings for replacement vessel to be used as basis for future detailed design and build contract.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Argyll and Bute Council requires to tender for Naval Architect consultancy services for the concept design of a small RoRo / Pax vessel to replace current vessel (MV Eilean Dhiura) operating between Port Askaig, Isle of Islay and Feolin, Isle of Jura.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000829797
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564787
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award 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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79930000 - Specialty design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£20,580 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Marine Design International Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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