Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
CalMac Ferries Limited
Ferry Terminal
Gourock
PA19 1QP
UK
Contact person: Calum Bell
Telephone: +44 1475650230
E-mail: calum.bell@calmac.co.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.calmac.co.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10923
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Ferry Operator
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Framework Agreement for Gourock and Dunoon Replacement Bus Services
Reference number: CSOP25-596
II.1.2) Main CPV code
60170000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) is required to establish a Framework Agreement, in line with Transport Scotland requirements, for the provision of a replacement bus service.
This service will be deployed in circumstances where there is a complete interruption to ferry operations, specifically when no vessels are operating on the Gourock and Dunoon routes.
The Framework will ensure continuity of passenger movement during such disruptions and provide CFL with a compliant, pre‑arranged mechanism for rapid mobilisation.
The preferred bus capacity should hold approximately 70 passengers, but is not limited to this number.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
600 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Framework Agreement for Gourock Replacement Bus Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60170000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Gourock
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) is required to establish a Framework Agreement, in line with Transport Scotland requirements, for the provision of a replacement bus service.
This service will be deployed in circumstances where there is a complete interruption to ferry operations, specifically when no vessels are operating on the Gourock and Dunoon routes.
The Framework will ensure continuity of passenger movement during such disruptions and provide CFL with a compliant, pre‑arranged mechanism for rapid mobilisation. The preferred bus capacity should hold approximately 70 passengers, but is not limited to this number.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 20
Price
/ Weighting:
80
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Options to extend by a further 24 months.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Framework Agreement for Dunoon Replacement Bus Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
60170000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Dunoon
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) is required to establish a Framework Agreement, in line with Transport Scotland requirements, for the provision of a replacement bus service.
This service will be deployed in circumstances where there is a complete interruption to ferry operations, specifically when no vessels are operating on the Gourock and Dunoon routes.
The Framework will ensure continuity of passenger movement during such disruptions and provide CFL with a compliant, pre‑arranged mechanism for rapid mobilisation.
The preferred bus capacity should hold approximately 70 passengers, but is not limited to this number.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 20
Price
/ Weighting:
80
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Options to extend by a further 24 months.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
The bidder confirms they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to the commencement of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below:
Employer’s Liability Insurance = GBP 1 Million
Professional Indemnity Insurance = GBP 1 Million
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
The following ratios must be confirmed based on your latest set of published accounts.
Return on Capital Employed: must be at a ratio greater than “0”
Acid Test (Current Ratio): Current Ratio must be greater than “1”
Gearing: Gearing must be a figure of less than 100%
Interest Coverage: Interest Coverage must be a figure of 2 or above
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As stated in the procurement documents.
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with a single operator.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
31/08/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
31/08/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32355. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
(SC Ref:838966)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Greenock Sheriff Court
Greenock
PA15 1TP
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
31/07/2026