Provision of a Towage Service at Portsmouth International Port

Portsmouth City Council ('the council') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experience operators for the provision of a towage service, so as to provide a reliable, cost effective, quality service to its customers. The successful provider is to base, as a minimum, 2 in number 40T bollard pull tugs within Portsmouth International Port at all times.

The Council is targeting to have awarded the contract on 8th July to allow for mobilisation and contract commencement on 12th October 2022.

Tenderers have the opportunity to bid on the basis of one compulsory Lot (Lot 1) and one further optional Lot (Lot 2). The Council will decide on which lot offers better value and best addresses operational requirements following evaluation of tender submissions.

Lot 1 is for an initial contract term of five years with the possibility of extending the term by a further five years to a maximum total term of ten years.
Lot 2 for an initial contract term of seven years with the possibility of extending the terms by a further three years to a maximum total terms of ten years
For either lot extensions will be in increments to be agreed, subject to the agreement and performance of both parties.

The contract value that the successful supplier may be able to generate from delivery of the service is forecast to be between approximately £800,000 to £2million per annum dependent on trade requirements and tariffs set. The successful provider will invoice customers directly. Historic vessel call levels (exclusive of fuel barges etc) have been included as an appendix to the specification for this service provision. The council, whilst able to provide reasonable forecasts cannot guarantee levels of usage by vessels requiring towage. As an open port Portsmouth International Port cannot oblige its customers to use the services of the supplier but will promote and endorse use of the supplier subject to honouring service levels, terms, financial arrangements and charges.

The Council are prepared to underwrite a minimum turnover figure for this contract if required, the value for which will form part of the cost evaluation. The Council will only underwrite where evidence is provided of making reasonable endeavours to mitigate loses and provision of local operating account, on a fully open book basis in accordance with the specification and contract terms.

The procurement process run to establish the contract will be in accordance with the Open Procedure as set out within the Public Contracts Regulations (2015).

The procurement procedure will be run in accordance with the following summary programme:
Closing date for clarifications – 15th February 2022
Tender submission returned – 4 March 2022
Evaluation period – March to early June 2022 to include interviews if required
Standstill period – from 27 June 2022 to 7 July 20922
Award contract …