Official UK procurement notice
Supply of Replacement Ferry MainChains for the Torpoint Ferries
Authority: Cornwall Council (Local council)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionCornwall Council, on behalf of the joint authorities (Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council), is re-procuring the supply of ferry chains for Tamar Crossings Ltd. in anticipation of the expiry of the current contract. The Torpoint Ferry operates three floating bridges, each requiring two 655m studless open link chains for propulsion and guidance across the Tamar Estuary. Chains are typically replaced every three years to meet operational requirements and Lloyd’s Register wear tolerances, though actual replacement timing may vary based on wear. This procurement covers the supply of four pairs of main chains and an additional 150m of tunnel chain for connection to counterweight gantries. Delivery is required to site under DDP Incoterms and preserved for tidal storage. Suppliers must also manage the collection and disposal of used chains, returning any scrappage value (less admin fees) to Tamar Crossings.
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of
charge, at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗
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- Search for Project reference DN794497 Supply of Replacement Ferry Main Chains for the Torpoint Ferries
CPV: Chain
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£1,900,000
- Economic & financial standing
refer to ITT
- Technical & professional ability
refer to ITT
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (3)
- Price
- Quality
- Social Value
- Economic & financial standing
refer to ITT
- Technical & professional ability
refer to ITT
- Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 16 Oct 2025, 15:09 BST
- Last source update
- 12 Jun 2026, 09:32 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 21 Oct 2026
- Authority reference
DN794497- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-055515- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ce1cFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
see T&C's in tender pack
- Risks
see ITT in tender pack
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 22 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 8 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
16 Oct 2025 → 1 Dec 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published370 days ago16 Oct 2025, 15:09 BST
- Market engagement347 days ago7 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
Cornwall Council, on behalf of Tamar Crossings Ltd., is conducting a soft market test to assess supplier interest and capability in delivering marine-grade ferry chains for the Torpoint Ferry service. This pre-procurement engagement aims to inform a future competitive tender for a 10-year contract (5+5 years) covering the supply, delivery, and disposal of ferry chains. Suppliers are invited to respond to technical, logistical, and commercial questions to help shape the procurement strategy. Participation is voluntary, non-binding, and does not affect eligibility for future procurement opportunities.
If you are interested in this area of service provision and also helping with our assessment of the market, please find the documentation required using the following link:
www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗
ref: DN794497 Supply of Replacement Ferry Chains for the Torpoint Ferries
- Tender notice published131 days ago12 Jun 2026, 09:32 BST
- Next notice expected130 days ago12 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by105 days ago8 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Submission deadline91 days ago22 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Today21 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 1 day21 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 41 days1 Dec 2026
Notice history
7 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Oct 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published16 Oct 2025, 15:09 BSTUK2
- Pipeline notice published11 Jun 2026, 08:56 BSTUK1
- Status changed to planned11 Jun 2026, 08:56 BST
- Procurement method changed11 Jun 2026, 08:56 BST
- Tender notice published12 Jun 2026, 09:32 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active12 Jun 2026, 09:32 BST
- Deadline published: 22 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST12 Jun 2026, 09:32 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Plymouth City CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationse'tendering portal www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
- Technical specificationsavailable see ITT by following the e'tender portal; www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender