Scope
Reference
TMAR3151
Description
The Department for Transport ("DfT") intends to procure a supplier to deliver mast reduction works (cutting and removal) on the SS Richard Montgomery ("SSRM"), a protected wreck located in the Thames Estuary. The contract will cover all associated works necessary to deliver mast reduction and disposal in a safe, controlled, and environmentally responsible manner.
The supplier will be expected to provide a full range of activities and resources necessary for the planning and execution of mast reduction on the SSRM. This is likely to encompass:
• Development of a detailed methodology and plan for mast reduction.
• Completion of any outstanding technical surveys (for example, geotechnical / UXO- related) required to inform safe delivery of the works.
• Provision of all vessels, plant, equipment, and personnel required.
• Safe cutting, lifting, and disposal (or repurposing) of the mast structures.
• Effective implementation of environmental protections, health and safety measures, and UXO / pUXO management procedures.
• Final clearance and demobilisation of the site.
Certain activities will fall outside the scope of the contract, including those that will be undertaken by DfT or its specialist advisors in the planning, assurance, and management of the project (for example, preparatory surveys, design assurance, permit applications).
A more detailed description of the intended scope of works is provided within the Request to Participate ("RTP") document to support suppliers' understanding of the requirement. A full statement of requirements, setting out the technical, operational and safety aspects of the works, will be provided as part of the tender documents during the tendering stage
Total value (estimated)
- £10,000,000 excluding VAT
- £10,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 6 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Possible extension to 31 March 2028
- 1 year, 11 months, 25 days
Description of possible extension:
DfT reserves the right to extend the contract in accordance with Schedule 8, Paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a result of a materialisation of a known risk (including adverse weather, site conditions (including the location of unexploded ordinance), the condition of the vessel, and such other known risks).
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
DfT reserves the right to vary the contract in accordance with Schedule 8, Paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 as a result of a materialisation of a known risk (including adverse weather, site conditions (including the location of unexploded ordinance), the condition of the vessel, and such other known risks).
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 63725000 - Salvage and refloating services
- 45244000 - Marine construction works
- 66519000 - Engineering, auxiliary, average, loss, actuarial and salvage insurance services
- 63725100 - Vessel-salvaging services
- 63726800 - Research vessel services
- 71354500 - Marine survey services
- 63726900 - Anchor handling services
- 71336000 - Engineering support services
- 66519700 - Salvage administration services
Contract locations
- UKJ41 - Medway
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
See Procurement Specific Questionnaire via the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal
Technical ability conditions of participation
See Procurement Specific Questionnaire via the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal
Technical requirements will be defined in the tender documents on a performance and functional basis in accordance with Section 56 of the Procurement Act 2023, by reference to international standards where applicable.
Submission
Enquiry deadline
21 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
4 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Via Jaggaer eSourcing Portal - https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Search for pqq_676 - SS Richard Montgomery Mast Reduction Works
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Full details will be provided at ItT stage |
Quality | 70% |
| Price | Full details will be provided at ItT stage |
Price | 20% |
| Social Value | Full details will be provided at ItT stage |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
DfT will conduct a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure comprising a participation stage followed by a tendering stage.
Stage 1 - Participation stage
During this stage, suppliers will be invited to submit a Request to Participate ("RTP") in response to the information requirements set out in Part C of the RTP. Submissions will be assessed against the Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ"), setting out the exclusion grounds and the Conditions of Participation, as described in the RTP and available via the DfT Sourcing Portal: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html. Only suppliers who satisfy and pass the minimum conditions will be shortlisted and invited to the tendering stage.
Stage 2 - Tendering stage
At this stage, shortlisted suppliers will be issued with an Invitation to Tender ("ITT") (and accompanying tender documents) and provided access to the project data room.
Suppliers will be required to submit tenders in response to the information requirements set out in Part C of the ITT, addressing the award criteria summarised in this tender notice and further detailed in the ITT. The detailed procedure for the tendering stage, including the timetable and any clarification rules, will be set out in the ITT.
DfT expects to make an award following the evaluation of tenders submitted in response to the ITT. However, DfT reserves the right to introduce a period of negotiation following the submission of final tenders, if it is unable to make an award on the basis of the tenders received in response to the ITT. The inclusion, scope and duration of any such negotiation followed by an Invitation to Submit Final Tenders ("ISFT") will be at DfT's sole discretion.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Via Jaggaer eSourcing Portal https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Request to Participate (RtP) & Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) being published (pqq_676 - SS Richard Montgomery Mast Reduction Works)
Invitation to Tender issued to Suppliers who satisfy the stated conditions of participation
Contracting authority
Department for Transport
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLTC-5358-LTWZ
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR
United Kingdom
Contact name: J Costelloe
Email: dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government