Prior information notice
This notice is a call for competition
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) Plc, Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Ltd
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE11 6AF
UK
Contact person: Sally Hartley
Telephone: +44 1977605669
E-mail: sally.hartley@northernpowergrid.com
NUTS: UKC
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.northernpowergrid.com/
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Secondary SCADA Communications Replacement
Reference number: NPg19031
II.1.2) Main CPV code
32000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Works
II.1.4) Short description
Northern Powergrid (NPG) are looking at replacing the legacy communications to Remote Terminal Units (RTU) on the secondary electrical distribution network. Currently Northern Powergrid have 2 Telemetry networks operating independently of each other; 1 in the North East and 1 in Yorkshire. The data transferred utilises the DNP3 protocol and eventually ends up in 1 of 2 GE ENMAC (Power On Fusion) Network Management System (NMS) geographically separated for redundancy purposes in one of our control centres. The intention is to build a common solution using hill top base station sites, approximately 80 in total. NPG will identify these sites and deal with all site based requirements separate to the tender. The solution will use 80 x 12,5 kHz channels in the VHF band, all RF planning will have been completed prior to issuing the tender and subsequent rollout programme; this will also be separate to this tender.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
45314000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Northern Powergrid (NPG) are looking at replacing the legacy communications to Remote Terminal Units (RTU) on the secondary electrical distribution network. Currently Northern Powergrid have 2 Telemetry networks operating independently of each other; 1 in the North East and 1 in Yorkshire. The data transferred utilises the DNP3 protocol and eventually ends up in 1 of 2 GE ENMAC (Power On Fusion) Network Management System (NMS) geographically separated for redundancy purposes in one of our control centres. The intention is to build a common solution using hill top base station sites, approximately 80 in total. NPG will identify these sites and deal with all site based requirements separate to the tender. The solution will use 80 x 12,5 kHz channels in the VHF band, all RF planning will have been completed prior to issuing the tender and subsequent rollout programme; this will also be separate to this tender.
NPG believe it will be possible to achieve data rates of up to 40 kps, any proposed solution should look to meet this.
There will be over 6 500 outstation sites that will require a site visit to install new hardware. A new transceiver, antenna and new cabling will be required as a minimum. There will also be a requirement on the installer to re-programme the RTU connected to the transceiver and then re-commission the site. The connection between the RTU and transceiver is serial. Due to the location of some of the equipment NPG provided personnel will install equipment at approximately 2 000 of these sites with the winning bidder supplying the equipment.
A new network management system will be required to monitor all of the new telecommunication equipment. All new hardware should be ip addressable, with the ip design being a component of the tender.
Security is a very important component of the design. End to end encryption will be necessary with end points at the outstation and control centres. All radio links should also include over air encryption: AES 256 as a minimum. It may also be necessary to install a door or cabinet alarm which should utilise i/o alarms on the transmitter. SNMP v3 is a minimum requirement.
The tender will be released in Q2 of 2019 with contract award announced at the beginning of Q4; subject to a satisfactory tender process. There will be 2 contracts awarded; the first to carry out a proof of concept to confirm the solution meets all of our needs. On completion of a successful proof of concept the contract for the full rollout will be awarded.
We foresee the project taking 3 ¼ years to complete with an end date of Q1 2023. The envisaged costs for delivering this are expected to be between 14 000 000 GBP and 20 000 000 GBP.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Northern Powergrid intend to advertise this opportunity via the Utilities Vendor Database (UVDB) hosted by Achilles. Suppliers wishing to take part in this exercise must be registered on the UVDB. For consortia or joint venture bids, the group must be registered in order to take part as the intended consortia or joint venture.
The intended turnover filter to be used in the UVDB is > 4 000 000 GBP.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date:
28/02/2019
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Northern Powergrid Internal Audit
Newcastle
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/02/2019