Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
CalMac Ferries Limited
Ferry Terminal
Gourock
PA19 1QP
UK
Telephone: +44 1475650230
E-mail: ruairidh.black@calmac.co.uk
NUTS: UKM
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.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
Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications
Reference number: ITSW25-134
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
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.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
7 500 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 60
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
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.
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
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Minimum annual turnover of GBP 7.5 Million
Ratios based on the most recent full year of published accounts:
1- Return on Capital Employed: must be at a ratio greater than “0”
2- Acid Test (Current Ratio): Current Ratio must be greater than “1”
3- Gearing: Gearing must be a figure of less than 100%
4- Interest Coverage: Interest Coverage must be a figure of 2 or above
Insurance requirement:
Employer’s Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million
Public Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million
Professional Indemnity Insurance = GBP 5 Million
Product Liability Insurance= GBP 5 Million
Cyber Insurance Minimum Amount = GBP 2 Million
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 defined in the Tender documentation.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
IV.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated
IV.1.5) Information about negotiation
The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations
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:
23/03/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
17/04/2026
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: 12 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
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 PQQ exercise. The Project code is 31067. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
CalMac is committed to delivering wider social value through this procurement. While the primary focus is on securing a strategic digital partner, we encourage suppliers to propose community benefits such as:
-Offering work experience placements for students or individuals seeking digital skills.
-Creating apprenticeship or graduate opportunities within the contract delivery team.
-Partnering with local colleges, universities, or charities to support STEM education, digital inclusion, or community projects.
-Providing training and knowledge transfer to enhance local capability and employment prospects.
Suppliers should outline any initiatives that contribute to skills development, local employment, and community engagement in their response. These will be considered as part of the overall value-for-money and social impact assessment.
(SC Ref:824008)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Greenock Sherift Court
1 Nelson Street
Greenock
PA15 1TR
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
18/02/2026