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Provision of Election Night Flight Services

Argyll and Bute Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

17 Jul 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
Tender

08 Jun 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Argyll and Bute Council is procuring election-night flight services to transport ballot boxes and election materials safely, securely and on time from designated island locations to Lochgilphead. The service is intended to ensure that ballot counting can begin as scheduled. This is a services contract covering Argyll and Bute, with Lochgilphead as the receiving location. The requirement concerns air transport and associated operational delivery rather than the supply of goods or construction works. It is a recurring requirement for election-related operations, and the council is the organisation buying and managing the service. Suppliers should therefore be able to operate across island locations in Argyll and Bute and coordinate time-critical movements into Lochgilphead on election night.

The council reached the tender stage and invited offers through an open procedure. Bids were submitted electronically, with the amended deadline set for 17 July 2026 at 15:00 UTC; tenders were due to be opened online at the same time. The contract period is 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031, with an option for the council to extend it by up to two years, subject to satisfactory performance and discussions with the successful tenderer. Evaluation includes operational delivery and methodology, weighted at 20%, and price, weighted at 30%; community benefits carry a minimum of 40 points. Variants are not allowed. Bids must remain valid for 120 days. The contract is expected to recur after approximately four years and six months, or six years and six months.

This opportunity suits an established flight-services provider able to deliver secure, reliable and tightly timed transport between designated island locations and Lochgilphead during election operations. The requirement reserves execution of the service to a particular profession, so bidders will need to meet the professional requirements set out in the Invitation to Tender. Strong operational planning and a credible delivery methodology are important because the evaluation expressly assesses how the service will be delivered. Suppliers also need sufficient capacity to coordinate multiple movements within the election-night timetable and to handle ballot boxes and election materials securely. The buyer expects community benefits, with a minimum of 40 points, so bidders should be prepared to offer and evidence relevant local social or economic benefits alongside their flight-operation capability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Election Night Flight Services

Notice Description

The objective of this Service is to ensure the safe, secure and timely transportation of ballot boxes and election materials from designated island locations to Lochgilphead to enable the ballot counting process to commence as scheduled.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The objective of this Service is to ensure the safe, secure and timely transportation of ballot boxes and election materials from designated island locations to Lochgilphead to enable the ballot counting process to commence as scheduled.

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-r6ebe6-0000833999
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560416
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
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

60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
4 years, 6 months or 6 years, 6 months

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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