---
title: "Towage Services - Portsmouth International Port"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-030f94"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030f94"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030f94.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030f94.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL"
published: "2022-01-26"
---

# Towage Services - Portsmouth International Port

Buyer: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-030f94

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## Summary

Portsmouth City Council is currently procuring Towage Services for the Portsmouth International Port. This tender, classified as services within the towing and pushing services sector, is active and situated in Portsmouth, UK. The submission period is open until 4th March 2022, with a projected bid evaluation period from March until early June 2022. The contract is expected to be awarded on 8th July 2022, with service mobilisation starting from 12th October 2022. Bidders must submit their proposals through the Council's e-sourcing system, with multiple lots available, including a five-year initial term with extension options.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in maritime services, particularly those offering towage and related logistical support. Companies that can provide at least two 40-ton bollard pull tugs on-site and fulfil stringent operational requirements will be well-positioned to compete. The expected contract value ranges from approximately £800,000 to £2 million per annum, depending on trade requirements, creating a lucrative potential for suitable contenders to expand their service offerings and clientele at a major UK port.

## Notice

Portsmouth City Council ('the council') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced operators for the provision of a towage service, so as to provide a reliable, cost effective, quality service to its customers. The successful operator is to base, as a minimum, 2 in number 40 ton bollard pull tugs within Portsmouth International Port at all times. The Council is targeting to have awarded the contract on 8th July to allow for mobilisation and contract commencement on 12th October 2022. Tenderers have the opportunity to bid on the basis of one compulsory Lot (Lot 1) and one further optional Lot (Lot 2). The Council will decide on which lot offers better value and best addresses operational requirements following evaluation of tender submissions and award to highest scoring tender for the Lot option selected. * Lot 1 is for an initial contract term of five years with the possibility of extending the term by a further five years to a maximum total term of ten years. * Lot 2 for an initial contract term of seven years with the possibility of extending the terms by a further three years to a maximum total terms of ten years For both lots extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties. The contract value that the successful supplier may be able to generate from delivery of the service is forecast to be between approximately PS800,000 to PS2million per annum dependent on trade requirements and tariffs set. The successful provider will invoice customers directly. Historic vessel call levels (exclusive of fuel barges etc) have been included as an appendix to the specification for this service provision. The council, whilst able to provide reasonable forecasts cannot guarantee levels of usage by vessels requiring towage. As an open port Portsmouth International Port cannot oblige its customers to use the services of the supplier but will promote and endorse use of the supplier subject to honouring service levels, terms, financial arrangements and charges. The Council are prepared to underwrite a minimum turnover figure for this contract if required, the value for which will form part of the cost evaluation. The Council will only underwrite where evidence is provided of making reasonable endeavours to mitigate loses and provision of local operating account, on a fully open book basis in accordance with the specification and contract terms. The procurement process run to establish the contract will be in accordance with the Open Procedure as set out within the Public Contracts Regulations (2015). The procurement procedure will be run in accordance with the following summary programme: Closing date for clarifications - 15th February 2022 Tender submission returned - 4 March 2022 Evaluation period - March to early June 2022 (to include interviews if required) Standstill period - from 27 June 2022 to 7 July 20922 Award contract - 8 July 2022 Mobilisation period - 9 July 2022 to 11 October 2022 Contract start date - 12 October 2022 Application is via submission of completed tender by 4th March 2022 12:00 via the Council's e-sourcing system InTend which is accessible via: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home. The system will be used to administrate the procurement process.

### Lot Information

Lot 1 - Initial term of 5 years (with possibility of extending up to max of 10 years)

Tenderers MUST submit complete tenders for Lot 1. * Lot 1 is for an initial contract term of five years with the possibility of extending the term by a further five years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties. All contractors must have the ability and experience to provide comprehensive towage services as described in the specification included in the tender pack. A summary of the provisions of service includes but is not limited to: * A minimum of two tugs are to be permanently based within Portsmouth International Port at any one time, providing cover 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. * Tugs should be available to Portsmouth International Port customers within a 90 minute notice period. This will be reduced to a 30 minute notice period when wind is such that ferries require mandatory towage under Queen's Harbour Master General Directions. * Tugs should be permanently manned during heavy weather periods to support ferry operations in accordance with Portsmouth International Port's requirements as per specification supplied within the tender pack. * Tugs will be able to undertake other work within the local area but priority must always be given to the needs of Portsmouth International Port's customers. Turnover generated by the tugs based within Portsmouth International Port must be included within any minimum turnover requirement. * Periods of servicing and maintenance of the tugs are to be planned so as to limit any down time and a replacement tug of the correct specification is to be based at Portsmouth International Port should one of the usual tugs be out of action for any reason. * On occasion a vessel may require a third tug. The Contractor should have procedures in place to be able to provide this third tug when required. An eight hour notice period will be given if a third tug is needed.

Options: The initial contract term is for five years with the possibility of extending the term by a further five years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties.

Renewal: The initial contract term is for five years with the possibility of extending the term by a further five years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties.

Lot 2 - Initial term of 7 years (with possibility of extending up to max of 10 years)

Tenderers MAY apply for Lot 2 on the condition that a mandatory Lot 1 is also submitted. * Lot 2 is for an initial contract term of seven years with the possibility of extending the term by a further three years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties. Description of service as described in Lot(1) section II.2.4.

Options: The initial contract term is for seven years with the possibility of extending the term by a further three years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties.

Renewal: The initial contract term is for seven years with the possibility of extending the term by a further three years to a maximum total term of ten years. Extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002299-2022 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Jan 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 4 Mar 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | If the contract is awarded via Lot 1 and no extension options are taken up a further notice is likely to be published in early 2027. This will be dependent on the nature of future requirements and the need for a new contract. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £20,000,000 |
| Lots value | £20,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL |
| Locality | PORTSMOUTH |
| Post town | Portsmouth |
| Postcode | PO1 2AL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ31 Portsmouth |
| Local authority | Portsmouth |
| Electoral ward | Charles Dickens |
| Westminster constituency | Portsmouth South |
| Delivery location | TLJ31 Portsmouth |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

### Codes

- 60651000 - Hire of vessels with crew
- 60653000 - Hire of boats with crew
- 63720000 - Support services for water transport
- 63727000 - Towing and pushing services of ships

## Release History

- 26 Jan 2022 at 13:25 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002299-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home
- https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/business/business.aspx

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-030f94. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-030f94.json.