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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Naval Architecture Services

Northern Lighthouse Board · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 24 Sept 2026, 09:11.

Opportunity overview

NLB requires a Naval Architect to develop the concept design of a new SOLAS Class VII civil helicopter support and aids to navigation service (cargo) vessel. The vessel will be registered in the UK, with its chosen Port of Registry as Leith, but with Oban serving as its primary operating port. However, the design shall enable operation from a range of ports throughout the UK and Ireland and shall not restrict international operations. The vessel shall be designed and certificated accordingly to permit such operations. The appointed Naval Architect shall develop a concept technical specification to a level of maturity that enables prospective shipbuilders to submit fixed-price tenders for the detailed design and construction of the vessel. The initial contract term will likely be 5 years, or until vessel delivery. The contract will have extension options to provision ongoing support to the vessel replacement programme as required by NLB.

Classification

  • CPV71320000 — Engineering design services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-06f3ef
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planned

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Communication

Future Notice Date
2 Oct 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planned

Contract period

Starts
24 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
24 Dec 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
24 Dec 2033, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
71320000
Description
Engineering design services

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
NLB intends to undertake preliminary market engagement with organisations that may have the capability and capacity to provide naval architecture services in support of Vessel Replacement Programme (VRP) Pharos. Interested organisations are invited to request a copy of the Market Engagement Questionnaire as soon as possible by emailing procurement@nlb.org.uk. The questionnaire will be issued by email during the week commencing 14 September 2026. The questionnaire seeks market views on areas including supplier capability and capacity, potential contracting and pricing structures, delivery models, key contractual considerations, and achievable social value outcomes. The information gathered will be used to inform NLB's development of the specification, procurement route, commercial model and contractual arrangements. Participation in the preliminary market engagement will not constitute a commitment to participate in any subsequent procurement and will not confer any advantage in a future competition. Completed questionnaires should be returned to procurement@nlb.org.uk no later than Friday 25 September 2026. Please note that NLB reserves the right to extend the preliminary market engagement timetable at its discretion.
Due
25 Sept 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
084623-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
7 Sept 2026, 17:24
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Northern Lighthouse Board
Id
GB-PPON-PMGV-7529-QWXG

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PMGV-7529-QWXG

Address

Street Address
84 George Street
Locality
Edinburgh
Postal Code
EH2 3DA
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKM75

Contact

Name
Graham Allan
Telephone
0131 473 3130

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Edinburgh · UKM75 · EH2 3DA · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 084609-2026Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 084623-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·