Scope
Description
Derry and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) invites proposals from suitably qualified organisations to illuminate the ships and vessels procured for 3 nights of the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival which will take place from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June next year. Applauded for its ambitious and dynamic programme of events both on and off the water, the award-winning festival is located alongside the River Foyle in the heart of Derry city, spanning 1.5 miles along the riverfront. A range of themed zones and performance spaces are located throughout, all set to a magical backdrop of live music, animation, markets, visiting ships and boats, fantastic food and bespoke keynote events. Renowned as one of the largest maritime events to occur in Ireland and the UK, this bi-annual event attracted approximately 135,000 attendees when it last occurred for 4 days in 2024, appealing to local, regional, national and international visitors. For 2026 Council are extending the spectacle and magic created by former festival showcases by delivering a light installation over 3 nights of the festival from 9pm until dawn. Entitled ‘Sails of Solas’, the illumination of the tall masts and sails of the ships procured for the festival, will create a striking display of light and reflection along the riverfront. The bespoke illumination of the boats will present them in a new light emphasising their grandeur and majesty while the timing of the display invites people to revel in a private viewing as the city and ships sleep. Your submission must be submitted via etendersNI, via this CFT. No other method of submissions will be accepted. Please refer to the CfT documents for further detail.
Contract 1. T25-192BUS Tender for Nighttime Illumination of Tall Ships at 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival
Supplier
Contract value
- £35,970 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Award decision date
22 January 2026
Earliest date the contract will be signed
16 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 February 2026 to 30 June 2026
- 4 months, 12 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 31500000 - Lighting equipment and electric lamps
- 31530000 - Parts of lamps and lighting equipment
Information about tenders
- 1 tender received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Supplier
Visual Spectrum Studios Ltd
55-59 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FE
United Kingdom
Email: oisin@visualspectrum.studio
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. T25-192BUS Tender for Nighttime Illumination of Tall Ships at 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival
Contracting authority
Derry City and Strabane District Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGJQ-8275-HLMG
98 Strand Road
Derry
BT48 7NN
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@derrystrabane.com
Website: http://www.derrystrabane.com
Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland