Scope
Reference
TCA 3/7/1812
Description
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a high-quality service provider to revolutionise the assessment process for Certificates of Competency (CoC) by delivering modernised, practical application-based examinations. This crucial service will focus exclusively on safety-critical subjects within the CoC routes, ensuring candidates are rigorously evaluated on their ability to apply knowledge in real-world onboard scenarios. The service provider will be responsible for delivering these assessments in accordance with the modernised syllabus, utilising sample question styles, and administering them on secure, dedicated digital devices supplied and managed by the provider.
Given the current volume of MCA CoC examinations approximately 2,000 Deck, 1,500 Engineer, and 70 ETO, the chosen provider must demonstrate capacity and robust quality assurance processes to handle this significant throughput while maintaining the highest standards of assessment integrity. Specifically, the service must cover the following safety-critical areas:
• Deck Officers: Deck, Navigation, and Stability.
• Marine Engineers: Engineering Knowledge, supplemented by Motor or Steam-specific content tailored to individual candidate sea service experience.
• Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs): Electrical Safety.
The MCA requires a service that not only meets but exceeds current standards, ensuring the future generation of maritime professionals are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge necessary for safe and effective operations. This investment in modernised assessment will significantly enhance maritime safety and contribute to the UK's leading role in international maritime standards.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030
- Possible extension to 30 June 2033
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
The MCA may extend the Contract for a period of up to 3 years. Consisting of an optional 2 year term followed by an optional 1 year term
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79990000 - Miscellaneous business-related services
- 79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services
- 98360000 - Marine services
- 70331100 - Institution management services
Submission
Enquiry deadline
6 June 2025, 11:00am
Tender submission deadline
23 June 2025, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenderers must register on the Department for Transport's (DfT) procurement portal (Jaggaer) in order to access the tender documents and bid for this opportunity.
https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
***Once logged into Jaggaer, navigate to: itt_2645 Digital Assessment Platform
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
The Contract that is due to be awarded as a result of this procurement will be awarded on the basis of the offer that is the most advantageous tender to the MCA.
The Award Criteria are:
70% Quality (of which 10% is Social Value, Technical Envelope)
30% Financial / Price (Commercial Envelope)
Concessions contract - the estimated value of the contract has been determined in accordance with Schedule 3, Paragraph 3 of the Procurement Act 2023.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Special regime
Concession
Contracting authority
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCWN-9665-QVMZ
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
United Kingdom
Email: Contracts@mcga.gov.uk
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - central government