November 2007
Contract and tender management for Bangor Marina & Harbour Management, Northern Ireland
Bangor Marina is situated on the south side of Belfast Lough with excellent proximity and access to the established Irish Sea cruising routes. This 560 berth marina, the largest in Northern Ireland is owned by North Down Borough Council and the Council is seeking to appoint an experienced marina operator to manage the marina for a fifteen year period. The Council fulfils the role of Statutory Harbour Authority and the appointed operator will need to undertake this role on a day to day basis and also manage the Harbour Estate. The Council has appointed Marina Projects as the independent marina and waterfront consultancy to draw-up an appropriate form of Contract and to manage the selection and appointment process on their behalf.
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The initial stage of the commission required Marina Projects to undertake an independent assessment of the expressions of interest bids and make a recommendation on a short-list of suitably experienced organisations to be taken forward to the tender process. Having completed this process Marina Projects then established the most appropriate form of management contract to deal with the management of the marina and Harbour Estate to include detailed performance criteria and license payment arrangements.
The third phase of the commission for North Down Borough Council required Marina Projects to prepare and issue comprehensive tender documentation and to manage the tender process. Having undertaken a thorough evaluation of the tender bids, Marina Projects has made a recommendation to the Council (which has been adopted) and final arrangements are now being concluded for the appointment of the successful operator.
Commenting on the project, Mike Ward, Project Director noted “the wealth of experience that Marina Projects has in the field of marina operation and management places us in a unique position to deliver the most appropriate form of contract for North Down Borough Council”.