Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bea-6ba3-709f-9f9a-42559ddc0dc3/isles-of-scilly-transport-inter-island-commuter-passenger-boat-services closed GB open procedure Reserved for SMEs and VCSEs # Isles of Scilly Transport - Inter-Island Commuter Passenger Boat Services [Council of the Isles of Scilly](https://tendernation.io/buyers/council-of-the-isles-of-scilly) Estimated value £60,000 Published 24 Sept 2026 Deadline Closed 2 Oct 2026 ## Who can bid - Reserved for SMEs and VCSEs Only small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises can bid, so you are not competing with large firms. [PPN 005: reserving below-threshold procurements](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-005-reserving-below-threshold-procurements/ppn-005-guide-to-reserving-below-threshold-html) - Open to suppliers based in the UK The buyer has limited bidding to suppliers with substantive operations in this area. [PPN 005: reserving by supplier location](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-005-reserving-below-threshold-procurements/ppn-005-guide-to-reserving-below-threshold-html) - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/reserved-for-smes-and-vcses) ## About this tender The Council of the Isles of Scilly is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and appropriately licensed passenger boat operator to provide a reliable Inter-Island Commuter Passenger Boat Service connecting St Martin's and St Agnes with St Mary's. The service provides an essential lifeline between the islands and is required to support a range of Council-facilitated and concessionary travel requirements, particularly during the winter period when the frequency and availability of normal commercial inter-island services is reduced. The journeys supported through the service principally provide for: - Early Years transport; - Home-to-School Transport; - Children and Young People (C&YP) travel, principally to enable participation in clubs and organised activities; - Adult Social Care travel; - Discretionary Concessionary Fares supported by the Council; and - Employment-related travel, particularly for teachers and school support staff where inter-island transport is necessary to enable attendance at work. The service also provides broader community connectivity, enabling residents to access essential services and facilities on St Mary's. Other passenger journeys outside the Council-supported service requirements may continue to be provided by operators on a commercial basis. The Department for Transport (DfT) has provided short-term emergency funding to support the service during the 2026/27 winter period. This funding is intended to provide an interim solution for this winter only while the Council considers the longer-term requirements for sustainable inter-island connectivity. The Contract(s) will therefore also provide an important opportunity for the Council to gather information on passenger demand, journey patterns, service reliability, operating costs and service utilisation. This evidence will help the Council understand how the revised service is being used and inform consideration of a more permanent and sustainable solution for future years. The principal subsidised Winter Service Period is expected to run from October 2026 to 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027, the normal commercial summer inter-island timetable is expected to resume, and the wider winter service subsidy will cease. However, the Contract will provide for a limited Academic Year Extension Period from April to July 2027, covering only the services required to support the continuation of Early Years, Home-to-School, and associated education employment travel until the end of the academic year. The journeys and service requirements applicable during this extension period are set out in Schedule 1 - Service Specification. The Council is therefore seeking a proportionate, flexible, reliable and dependable service which recognises the essential lifeline function of inter-island connectivity, the range of Council-supported passenger requirements and the particular commercial challenges associated with maintaining these connections during the winter period. The Contract is intended both to maintain these essential journeys in the short term and to provide the operational evidence required to inform the Council's approach to their longer-term provision. Read full description ## CPV classification Ferry transport services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-06fa5d-2026-09-24T10:20:23+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-06fa5d-2026-09-24T10:20:23+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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