Ministry of Infrastructure Development: Tender Notice – Invitation for Bids: Provision of Shipping Services for Temotu Outer Islands, Sikaiana and Guadalcanal

TENDER NOTICE

Invitation for Bids: Provision of Shipping Services for Temotu Outer Islands, Sikaiana, and Guadalcanal (weather coast)

1. The Solomon Islands Government have allocated a grant towards the Domestic Maritime Support Project (DMSP). Part of the proceeds of this grant will be used for the provision of subsidised shipping services to remote The terms and conditions of the contracts and payments shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement, including the procurement guidelines. Bidding is only open to bidders from eligible ship operators inSolomon Islands.

2. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), represented by the Permanent Secretary of MID (the Franchisor), now invites sealed bids for the provision of shipping services to the following locations:

        I, FR1 — Temotu Outer Islands(Contract FSS-MID 16/26 CTB C09/26)
        II, FR3 – Sikaiana (Contract FSS-MID 17/26 CTBC10/26)
        III, FR7 — Guadalcanal Weather Coast (ContractFSS-MID18/26 CTB C11/26)

3. The services include the provision of passenger and cargo shipping to designated call points/ports at the locations specified above. The voyage frequency is one voyage per month. The contract duration is one (1) year.

4. A voyage subsidy will be paid by the Franchisor for each completed voyage in which the Operator provides services in accordance with the contract. Bidders are to submit a bid indicating their requested voyage subsidy for the contract they are bidding on.

5. National Competitive Bidding will be conducted in accordance with SIG’s Single-Stage: One-Envelope Bidding

6. Only eligible bidders with the following key qualifications should participate in this bidding:

• bidders with one (1) year of experience operating a passenger and cargo vessel across our islands or the Pacific region;

• bidders nominating vessels having the minimum passenger and cargo capacity specified in the respective bidding document for the contract; and,

• bidders nominating vessels having the minimum safety certification of “Inshore” classification.

• for lease/charter vessel, the bidder shall produce an original letter of intern from the ship owner, including the charter/lease cost.

• Vessel’s minimum passenger and cargo capacity as per

 

Minimum capacity	FR1 Temotu Outer lsland	FR3 Sikaiana	FR7 Guadalcanal
Cargo (tonnage)	100 tonnes	40 tonnes	80 tonnes
Passenger	100	50	80

 

7.To obtain further information and to inspect the Bidding Documents, bidders should contact or visit:

Mr. Barnabas Maraka
Franchise Shipping Scheme Manager
MID, Mechanical Pool Side
Mob: (+677) 7960529
Tel: (+677) 45850
Email: bmaraka@mid.gov.sb

8. To purchase the bidding documents, eligible bidders should:

• after paying a non-refundable fee of SBD200 by cash orbankers draft at MID’s cashier or Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT)cashier.

9. All bids must consist of one (1) stamped “Original” and one (1) stamped “Copy,” each of which should be placed in an individual envelope. These envelopes should then be enclosed in a larger outer envelope. Both the inner and outer envelopes must be marked only with the contract number and the contract name. Bids for separate contracts must be submitted inseparate envelopes.

10.All bids must be addressed to:

The Chairman, Central Tender Board (CTB)
Ministry of Finance & Treasury
Mendana Drive, Point Cruz Honiara, Solomon Islands

Deadline for submission: Thursday, 26th March 2026, at 2:00 pm (local Solomon Islands time).   

11. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration using the form provided in the bidding document. Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline in the presence of bidders’representatives at the MoFT Leaf Hut, Central Tender Board. Late bids will be rejected.

12. All prospective bidders are invited to attend the pre-briefings to be held at the Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division Conference Room, Mechanical Pool Side, starting at 09:00 am on Monday, 23rd March

13. The CTB is not bound to accept the lowest or any Failureto comply with the bid instructions may lead to disqualification of the bid.

14. Any attempt by a bidder to influence the award of the bid in their favour will cause automatic disqualification and may lead to criminal

For more info: Check link – MID Tender Notice