Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

Northern Lighthouse Board

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PMGV-7529-QWXG

Address:

84 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3DA
UK

Contact name:

Graham Allan

Email:

procurement@nlb.org.uk

Telephone:

0131 473 3130

Website:

https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/

Organisation type:

MINISTRY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Open procedure

Preliminary market engagement conducted:

Not provided

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

Naval Architecture Services

Reference number:

Not provided

Main category:

SERVICES

Description:

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.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1064367028

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/respond/574M7TACX4

Total value (estimated):

GBP 1,900,000 excluding VAT

GBP 2,280,000 including VAT

Contract dates (estimated):

24/12/2026 to 24/12/2031

CPV classifications:

71320000 - Engineering design services.

Delivery regions:

Not provided

Participation

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Engagement

Engagement deadline:

25/09/2026

Engagement status:

The engagement has not yet been carried out.

Engagement process 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.

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated):

02/10/2026

Other organisations

Not provided