Contract 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.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
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 is 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
Further detail is outlined within the PIM and PQQ documents available via the link at Section I.3 above.
NIE Networks estimates the value of the Contract to be between £150million and £200million.The estimated value of the Contract outlined in Section II.1.5 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.
Please note that there will be contractual requirements regarding social value. These may include, but will not be limited to, the following themes:
o Employment and skills
o Ethical and Resilient Supply Chains
o Sustainability and delivering Zero Carbon
o Wellbeing
Further information will be provided at the ITN stage of the Procurement.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
200 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
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 is being conducted in compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) and NIE Networks intends to use the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition for the award of the Contract.
The purpose of this procurement is 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
Bidders should note that a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) was published on Find a Tender by NIE Networks in respect of the Procurement with reference 2024/S 000-020334. The purpose of the PIN was to advise the market of the upcoming opportunity and provide potential Bidders with information in relation to the proposed approach. The issue of the PIN was not a call for competition and only Bidders that submit a PQQ will be considered for participation in the Procurement.
Please note that there will be contractual requirements regarding social value. These may include, but will not be limited to, the following themes:
o Employment and skills
o Ethical and Resilient Supply Chains
o Sustainability and delivering Zero Carbon
o Wellbeing
Further information will be provided at the ITN stage of the Procurement.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
200 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 126
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
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 currently planned to be in October 2025) 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.2.7 above.
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 III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
As stated in the procurement documents.
III.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required:
Bidders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consortium members) may rely on the resources of third-party entities, with which they are directly or indirectly linked, in order to meet the selection criteria set out in the PQQ. NIE Networks reserves the right to require such assurance as it considers necessary and to require the provision of a guarantee, performance bond, direct agreement, or collateral warranty from the third-party entity(ies).
III.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
As stated in the procurement documents.
III.1.8) Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
In the event of a consortium submission, each consortium member may be required to contract with NIE Networks on such basis as is considered appropriate by NIE Networks, at its discretion. However, having regard to the nature, size and complexity of the Contract and the likely roles of the consortium parties, Bidders should note that NIE Networks’ intention is to require one consortium member to contract as the prime contractor (with the remaining consortium members being appointed as sub-contractors to the prime contractor and entering into direct agreements, collateral warranties or guarantees with NIE Networks).
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As stated in the procurement documents.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated with call for competition
IV.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated
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 000-020334
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
18/11/2024
Local time: 15:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
16/12/2024
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Under no circumstances will NIE Networks or its advisors be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by Bidders, their funders and/or their respective advisors arising directly or indirectly from the procurement process, their participation in or termination thereof, including, without limitation, preparation and submission of responses, as a result of any changes or adjustments made to the procurement documents or the exclusion/disqualification of a Bidder. Only the express terms of the contractual documents, if and when executed shall have any contractual effect in connection with the matters to which this procurement process relates. Neither the issue of the procurement documents, nor any of the information presented in them, should be regarded as a commitment or representation on the part of NIE Networks (or any other person) to enter into a contractual arrangement. Nothing in the procurement documents should be interpreted as a commitment by NIE Networks to award a contract to a Bidder as a result of this. procurement process, nor to accept the lowest price or any tender. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a tenderer shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the contract has been confirmed by NIE Networks. As such, NIE Networks reserves the right at any time to cancel, withdraw or amend the procurement process at any stage.
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:
NIE Networks will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of contract is communicated to all tenderers. The standstill period provides time for unsuccessful tenderersto challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.
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
17/10/2024