Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4)
The procurement contact named on the official notice.
The submission route named on the official notice.
Provision of public services in relation to the Northern Isles Ferry Services to/or from harbours located at Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster and Stromness.
The Ferry Services are currently delivered using 5 vessels (3 RoPax passenger vessels, plus 2 RoRo freighters).
The estimated value for these services is currently in the range of GBP 791 million to GBP 896 million, with the forecast based on a maximum ten year contract period (to 2038).
Further information is provided within the pre-tender information document attached to the contract notice.
Further information on Transport Scotland can be accessed through the Transport Scotland website at: www.transport.gov.scot
What it takes to bid this
Typical UK bid effort for the value not published — mid-band assumed band — an estimate, not a quote.
Qualify & bid/no-bid ~10% · SQ / PQQ ~20% · Written response ~55% · Review & presentation ~15%
Typical for this category — confirm against the ITT pack
- Hold at bidOperator licences / driver vetting (DBS for passenger transport)
- Plan for deliveryTUPE (incumbent staff often transfer)
- Show at bidComparable references / case studies
- Hold at bidFinancial standing (accounts, often ~2× contract value turnover)
- Hold at bidInsurance cover (PL / EL, often PI)
- Show at bidSocial value commitments
Hold at bid = pass/fail conditions of participation. Show at bid = scored in the quality response. Plan for delivery = contract obligations from day one.
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- OCID
- ocds-h6vhtk-0661ad
- Stage
- tender · Open
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Buyer ref
- 053220-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source data © Crown copyright.
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