Clyde and Hebrides ferries contract document published

CalMac and Serco are bidding to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network

Caledonian MacBrayne and Serco have been invited to start preparing their final bids for the new contract to run Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.

The process to appoint a contractor to the ferries network has seen trade unions clash with CalMac and the Scottish government.

The RMT and TSSA unions had concerns the new contract would lead to job losses and affect pensions.

A document related to the invitation has been published online.

CalMac operates the ferry services but faces competition from Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited for the next contract to run the network for up to another eight years.

In another development in the tendering process, representatives have been sought for an independent procurement reference panel.

Its members will be drawn from local authorities, ferry user groups, tourism organisations, port authorities, trade unions and health, social care and accessibility bodies.

The panel's remit would be to give assurances that nothing in the process could be seen as discriminating against either of the two bidders.

Scottish ministers, however, will evaluate the bids and appoint the contract.

'Retain control'

Serco and CalMac have been asked to submit their final tenders in December, with a view to awarding the contract in May 2016.

Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay said the procurement process was "fair, open and transparent".

The publication of the Initial Invitation To Tender (ITT) was a first step in the latest phase of the work to appoint a contractor, he said.

Mr Mackay said: "As I announced in parliament, we will have an interim version of the ITT document in the autumn before we issue the final version in December 2015."

He added: "It is also important to reiterate that no matter the outcome of the procurement process, Scottish ministers will retain control of all of important issues, such as fares and timetables, through the public service contract.

"Vessels and port infrastructure will also remain publicly owned as they are now."

Last month, following earlier industrial action by members of the RMT, an agreement was reached between trade unions, CalMac and the Scottish government in a dispute over jobs and workers' pension and conditions.