--- title: "Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED" published: "2026-02-18" --- # Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications Buyer: CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1.json) ## Summary CalMac Ferries Limited is inviting tenders to find a strategic digital partner to support its critical digital platform, which includes public-facing websites and mobile applications. This project, with a budget of £7,500,000, falls under the IT services category, requiring expertise in consulting, software development, and internet support. The procurement process is currently at the tender stage, with submissions expected by 23rd March 2026. The selected partner will focus on continuous improvement and innovation under CalMac's governance, in line with its Digital North Star roadmap, with an initial contract period of three years, extendable for up to two additional years. The services will be delivered primarily in the UK, specifically from the UKM region. This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in digital transformation and IT support, seeking to engage with a major UK public sector client. Companies with robust capabilities in hosting, infrastructure management within Azure, and security compliance are well-positioned to compete. Additionally, organisations interested in contributing to community benefits through work placements or educational partnerships can enhance their proposals' attractiveness. The procurement method involves a competitive procedure with negotiation, making it ideal for innovative firms willing to collaborate closely with CalMac to realise its digital vision. Potential bidders should have a proven financial stability, evidenced by a minimum turnover of £7.5 million and suitable insurance coverages, aligning their strategic offerings with the buyer's long-term objectives. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014600-2026 | | Notice type | Tender 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 | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | 23 Mar 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £7,500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | CALMAC FERRIES LIMITED | | Locality | GOUROCK | | Post town | Paisley | | Postcode | PA19 1QP | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM33 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire | | Local authority | Inverclyde | | Electoral ward | Inverclyde West | | Westminster constituency | Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ## Release History - 18 Feb 2026 at 09:49 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014600-2026 ## Notice URLs - http://www.calmac.co.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000824008 - https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10923 - https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ ## 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-0656b1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656b1.json.