Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
CalMac Ferries Limited
Ferry Terminal
Gourock
PA19 1QP
Telephone
+44 1475650230
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10923
one.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 above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
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/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Ferry Operator
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Strategic Digital Partner for Website and Mobile Applications
Reference number
ITSW25-134
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.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.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £7,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
two.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.
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Maximum number: 5
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Minimum annual turnover of GBP 7,500,00
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
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As defined in the Tender documentation.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.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
four.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
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
4 March 2026
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
31 March 2026
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.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:822294)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Greenock Sherift Court
1 Nelson Street
Greenock
PA15 1TR
Country
United Kingdom