Contract award notice – utilities
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
120 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 5HT
UK
E-mail: stephen.hughes@nienetworks.co.uk
NUTS: UKN
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.nienetworks.co.uk
I.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
IT Managed Service Procurement
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator and Transmission Network Owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks is responsible for the network of engineering assets that allows the transmission and distribution of electricity to customers’ premises from electricity generators.
The purpose of this procurement was to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in
delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period.
The scope of the contract will include:
• Service Management
• Infrastructure Management
• Data Hosting
• Cyber Security
• Telecommunications
• Resource Augmentation Services
• Supplier Licence Management
• Supplier Invoice Processing
NIE Networks has estimated the value of the Contract to be between £150million and £200million.The estimated value of the Contract outlined in Section II.1.7 and Section V.2.4 represents the total potential value of the contract over its full potential duration. This value is based upon the:
• transition and transformation activities outlined in the PIM;
• annual costs of managing and running the IT Managed Service;
• capital costs and residual operational costs of delivering IT upgrade and obsolescence projects across our infrastructure, applications and telecommunications estate via Change Control; and
• pass-through costs for purchases and maintenance of third-party licenses acquired by the IT Managed Service Provider for NIE Networks’ use.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
200 000 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72100000
72200000
72300000
72400000
72500000
72600000
72700000
72800000
72900000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN
Main site or place of performance:
Northern Ireland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This procurement procedure was conducted in compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) and NIE Networks used the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition for the award of the Contract.
The purpose of this procurement was to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in
delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period.
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The Contract will be for an initial term beginning on the Effective Date (as defined in the Contract ) and ending five (5) years from the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date (as defined in the Contract), followed by up to five (5) extension periods of one (1) year each at NIE Networks' sole discretion, providing a maximum potential Contract duration of ten (10) years from and including the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date. Please note that, in the event of any slippage to the Transition Completion Date beyond 1st April 2026 (which will be outside the control of NIE Networks once the contract is awarded), the total duration of the contract could potentially exceed the 126 months referenced in Section II.1.7 of the Contract Notice.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated with call for competition
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2024/S 000-033652
Section V: Award of contract
Title: IT Managed Service Procurement
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24/11/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
British Telecommunications PLC
1 Braham Street
London
E1 8EE
UK
NUTS: UKI
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 200 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (Northern Ireland).
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/12/2025