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
S1228 - Flexibility Management Platform
Reference number: S1228 (2024)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
In order to deliver a reliable and efficient supply of electricity, NIE networks requires the provision of a system to manage flexibility services in a business as usual environment, in a scalable, robust and secure manner.
Key system functions:
Procurement (via dynamic purchasing system)
Scheduling of flexible units
Dispatch instructions and management
Baselining
Collection of meter data and performance analysis
Facilitation of settlement processes
Reporting functions
The system will be used in an operational environment to schedule, dispatch and monitor flexibility services as required. Services will be procured using the system, with the oversight of Flexibility Commercial resources.
Flexibility service providers will access flexibility opportunities using the system and will be migrated to an operational environment once contracted. The system will allow communication of instructions and other key operational information between NIE Networks and contracted flexibility providers.
The vendor is expected to provide the functionality in one system.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
478 287.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
48000000
48460000
48517000
48700000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
In order to deliver a reliable and efficient supply of electricity, NIE networks requires the provision of a system to manage flexibility services in a business as usual environment, in a scalable, robust and secure manner.
Key system functions:
Procurement (via dynamic purchasing system)
Scheduling of flexible units
Dispatch instructions and management
Baselining
Collection of meter data and performance analysis
Facilitation of settlement processes
Reporting functions
The system will be used in an operational environment to schedule, dispatch and monitor flexibility services as required. Services will be procured using the system, with the oversight of Flexibility Commercial resources.
Flexibility service providers will access flexibility opportunities using the system and will be migrated to an operational environment once contracted. The system will allow communication of instructions and other key operational information between NIE Networks and contracted flexibility providers.
The vendor is expected to provide the functionality in one system.
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
4 year initial term with two 2 year extension options.
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.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with a single operator.
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 000-038783
IV.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: S1228 (2024)
Title: Flexibility Management Platform
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22/10/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 2
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Open Utility Ltd Piclo
35 Holland Grove
London
UK
NUTS: UKN
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
120 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 5HT
UK
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
High Court in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/10/2025