The contract award for seven new CalMac ferries won last month by a Polish firm was unable to score bids for "social value" without risk of legal challenge, according to Scotland's ferries procurement agency.
The nationalised Ferguson shipyard was among the shortlisted bidders – but lost out to Gdansk-based Remontowa which was able to undercut it on price.
The announcement prompted some politicians to ask whether "social value" – things like employment, training or environmental benefits – had been considered as part of the evaluation.
Ferries body CMAL said assessments were required to be fair to overseas bidders, and there was no legal obligation in Scotland to include social value in the scoring.
However, it said some "community benefits" were secured during contract negotiations which will see 21 apprentices participate in sea trials in Scotland.
