Northern Lighthouse Board is using Delta eSourcing to run this tender exercise
| Notice Summary |
|---|
| Title: | Naval Architecture Services |
| Notice type: | UK1: Pipeline notice |
| Authority: | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Nature of contract: | Services |
| Procedure: | Above threshold - Open procedure |
| Short 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 purpose of this document is to set out the procurement route for this requirement. 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. |
| Published: | 07/09/2026 16:54 |
Naval Architecture Services
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
- 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 purpose of this document is to set out the procurement route for this requirement.
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.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Edinburgh:-Engineering-design-services./574M7TACX4
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
- Main category:
- SERVICES
- Additional procurement type:
- Not provided
- CPV classifications:
71320000 - Engineering design services.- Delivery regions:
Not provided
Participation
- Suitable for SMEs:
- Yes
- Suitable for VCSEs:
- No
Submission
- Publication date of tender notice (estimated):
- 02/10/2026
Other organisations
Not provided
Related Notice
Naval Architecture Services
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