---
title: "Port of Dover - OPTICS Software"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Dover Harbour Board"
published: "2026-08-26"
---

# Port of Dover - OPTICS Software

Buyer: Dover Harbour Board  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7.json)

## Summary

Dover Harbour Board is seeking software development and IT consultancy services for an expansion of the Port of Dover’s OPTICS software. The work covers berth operations, ferry operator data exchange, check-in, UTP and inbound exit processes, and OBC functions. The supplier will integrate OPTICS with the ANPR middleware environment using the GDS Server, develop business rules and logic to interpret live traffic data, and create new dashboards and APIs. Delivery also includes software testing, project documentation and user training. This is an industry-specific transport and port technology requirement, suited to suppliers working in operational software, traffic or transport data systems, systems integration, and bespoke application development. The buying organisation is Dover Harbour Board, with the requirement centred on the Port of Dover in Dover.

The procurement has reached the tender stage: the buyer invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure, following an initial IT participation stage. Expressions of interest were due by 25 September 2026 at 5:00 pm. The expected award decision date was 16 October 2026. The contract is planned to run from 12 February 2027 to 12 February 2029. The estimated value is £1,500,000 excluding VAT and £1,800,000 including VAT. There is one lot. Evaluation is weighted 60% to quality and technical merit and 40% to commercial considerations. Bids may be submitted electronically in English. The procurement is above the applicable threshold, and the bidding documents are available through the buyer’s electronic procurement system.

This opportunity suits a supplier with demonstrable capability in extending complex operational software and integrating live data from automatic number-plate recognition systems. Relevant experience would include developing middleware integrations, interpreting real-time traffic data through robust business rules, and building dashboards and APIs for operational users. Suppliers should be able to deliver the full software lifecycle: technical development, integration, testing, documentation, training and implementation support. Port, ferry, transport, logistics or other high-throughput operational environments would provide directly relevant experience, particularly where systems must support check-in, vehicle movements, berth activity and inbound or outbound processing. The requirement is substantial and calls for an organisation able to manage a multi-function implementation, coordinate with the port and ferry stakeholders, and provide suitably experienced technical and project staff.

## Notice

The Scope of this contract will cover implementation of expansion to the OPTICS software solution to cover: * Berths * Ferry Operator data exchange * Check-in * UTP and inbound exit * OBC This will encompass development of data integration with the ANPR middleware server (GDS Server), development of business rules and logic to interpret the live traffic data, creation of new dashboards and APIs. Delivery will include testing, project documentation and training.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081341-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 12 Feb 2027 - 12 Feb 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,500,000 |
| Lots value | £1,500,000 |
| 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 | Dover Harbour Board |
| Locality | DOVER |
| Postcode area | Canterbury |
| Postcode | CT17 9BU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ44 East Kent |
| Local authority | Dover |
| Electoral ward | Town & Castle |
| Westminster constituency | Dover and Deal |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services

## Release History

- 26 Aug 2026 at 13:58 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081341-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081341-2026
  26th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portofdover/aspx/Home

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06eca7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06eca7.json.