Find a TenderClosedTender notice
Published 3 Apr 2025, 12:42 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Royal Charter Vessel Replacement

Official notice

Authority: The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (Public body)

GoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitable
Published estimate£2,000,000≈ £1.0m / year · £2,400,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 20 Oct 2025
Next notice expected 10 Jun 2025
Contract term 2 yrsends 5 Mar 2028 · starts 6 Mar 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

For full details in relation to subject matter of this procurement, please refer to the scope and specification document named Royal Charter Vessel Replacement, scope and specification which is included as part of the tender documentation on the Portal. In summary, Peel Ports are looking to award up to a 2 year fixed term Agreement (with an additional 12 month warranty), to 1 (one) successful Tenderer. Peel Ports are looking to replace its current survey vessel (Royal Charter) which is approaching end of life and facilitate the modal shift from aged specifications to a high-spec performing vessel with capabilities for the company’s enhanced hydrographic survey offering. The scope associated with this opportunity is summarised below but not limited to;

  • A versatile and multi-functional vessel, dedicated to afloat survey operations and is capable to facilitate hydrographic survey duties and personnel transportation.
  • An ability to reach the required speed, carry and handle the required weight and provide sufficient space for crew, surveyors and equipment.
  • The capacity to provide good ride quality, safety and protection from extreme conditions.
  • The design and construction of the hull structure shall provide strength for the safe operation of the vessel, at its service draught and maximum service speed, to withstand the sea and weather conditions likely to be encountered in the intended area category of operation.
  • Fully conform in all aspects to the current version of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Workboat Code Edition 3, The safety of small workboats and pilot boats – a Code of Practice and is to be capable of being coded to area category 2 waters. (Categories of Operation)
  • Hull form is preferred to be that of a twin hull "catamaran" type.
  • The vessel shall be in the range of 13 metres to 17 metres.
  • The vessels draft should be between one (1) and two (2) metres.
  • The vessel shall be capable of undertaking surveying activities at speeds of 5 knots whilst having steerage way, also achieving 20 knots+ upon transits.
  • Vessel shall have the ability to carry 12 persons with seating, plus all other loadings as specified.
  • How the procedure runs: PSQ Short list to invite to ITT Stage Launch ITT Mid-tender Review Meetings ITT Submissions Tenderer Clarification Meetings (including Demonstrations & Presentations) Legal Review Meetings Tenderer Site Visits BAFO Standstill Contract Award

CPV: Boats · Ships and boats · Specialised boats · Survey vessels

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1 2 yrsSMEPublished value£2,000,000
Contract period: 6 Mar 2026 – 5 Mar 2028 (2 yrs)Value: £2,000,000 exc. VAT · £2,400,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Quality: 60%Price: 40%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Quality (Technical): 60%
  • Price: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality (Technical)
  • Price
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
3 Apr 2025, 12:42 BST
Last source update
22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 23 Feb 2026
Authority reference
MDHC/C0165
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-058674
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
BoatsShips and boatsSpecialised boatsSurvey vessels
Delivery area
North West (UKD7)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fc9f Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

60 Days

How it runs

PSQ Short list to invite to ITT Stage Launch ITT Mid-tender Review Meetings ITT Submissions Tenderer Clarification Meetings (including Demonstrations & Presentations) Legal Review Meetings Tenderer Site Visits BAFO Standstill Contract Award

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: EU-Supply (CTM) · Who buys & how to bid on EU-Supply
Public notice page · account needed to bidElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · 5–10 minutes
Submission deadline
20 Oct 2025, 10:30 BST
Clarification deadline
13 Oct 2025, 23:30 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

3 Apr 2025 → 6 Mar 2026 · 8 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    3 Apr 2025, 12:42 BST
  2. Market engagement
    30 Apr 2025, 00:59 BST

    Peel Ports Marine Procurement is seeking to engage with the market to explore supplier interest and commercial acumen regarding the potential procurement of a new survey boat. This engagement aims to inform the development of the final procurement strategy and specification. Location: Port of Liverpool, Mersey. Scope of Engagement

    • Purpose: This PMEN serves as a preliminary market engagement to: I. Gauge market interest in supplying a survey boat meeting Peel Ports' specifications per section (k). II. Gather supplier insights into current market capabilities, innovative technologies, and potential commercial models. III. Inform the development of the final technical specifications and evaluation criteria. IV. Identify potential risks and opportunities associated with the procurement.
    • Areas of Interest: I. Technical specifications of survey boats suitable for port operations (including hull design, survey equipment integration, and performance capabilities). II. Availability of relevant survey equipment and software. iii. Delivery timelines and logistics. iV. Potential commercial models (e.g., outright purchase, lease options). Vi. Sustainability considerations.
    • Engagement Activities: I. Requests for information (RFIs) or questionnaires. II. One-to-one meetings with interested suppliers who demonstrate a strong likelihood of being able to meet our specification
  3. Next notice expected
    10 Jun 2025, 00:59 BST
  4. Tender notice published394 days ago
    22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
  5. Clarification questions by373 days ago
    13 Oct 2025, 23:30 BST
  6. Submission deadline366 days ago
    20 Oct 2025, 10:30 BST
  7. Award decision expected by239 days ago
    23 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
  8. Contract starts229 days ago
    6 Mar 2026

Notice history

5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 3 Apr 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    3 Apr 2025, 12:42 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
    UK4
  3. Status changed to active
    22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
  4. Procurement method changed
    22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
  5. Deadline published: 20 Oct 2025, 10:30 BST
    22 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-PPON: PRWZ-2267-YTZX Maritime Centre, Liverpool, North West, L21 1LAContact name, email, phone

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure