Replacement Foot Passenger Launch Service

The Isle of Wight Council ("the Authority") invites Tenders from suitably qualified suppliers ("Potential Suppliers") for the provision of replacement foot passenger launch service. This service is for the provision of a replacement foot passenger launch to operate between Cowes and East Cowes when the Floating Bridge is not available.

The Cowes to East Cowes crossing is undertaken by the Floating Bridge and it has a capacity of 20 cars and 140-foot passengers. The Floating Bridge operates 365 days per year; days and times of operation of the floating bridge are as follows: - • Monday to Saturday 05.00 to 00.30 • Sunday 06.30 to 00.30 The replacement foot passenger launch service may be required when the Floating Bridge has its required annual inspection.

This is undertaken by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and this is normally scheduled in late April or early May; whilst this is undertaken with the vessel in service it may be necessary to withdraw the vessel from service to undertake any identified works. The replacement foot passenger launch service is also required to operate at other times as and when the Floating Bridge is out of service as a result of planned maintenance works; technical issues and either weather or environmental conditions.

The replacement foot passenger launch service is required to operate between the Floating Bridge Ferry pontoon adjacent to the Cowes Slipway at the end of Medina Road and the Grid Iron pontoon off Castle Street in East Cowes. The term of the contract shall be 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2023 with the option to extend for up to a further two years - on a one plus one basis - at the sole discretion of the Authority.

The closing date for receipt of Tenders is 14:00Hrs on 11 May 2020. Additional information: Any values given are estimated and for the whole contract duration including any possible extension period.

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index . To download the tender documents, interested parties must register their company on the ProContract portal. This contract opportunity can be searched by using reference number DN471793.