Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
120 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 5HT
Charlotte.Mercier@nienetworks.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKN - Northern Ireland
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
CA300 (2025) – Provision of Pension Accounting Advisory Services and management of pension liabilities, including advising the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66520000 - Pension services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NIE Networks wishes to enter into a Framework Agreement with one suitably qualified and
experienced organisation to provide management of pension liabilities, including advising
the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations. The service provider will
provide a primary point of contact for NIE Networks.
The Framework will be established for an initial period of 5 years with an option (exercisable
entirely at NIE Network’s Discretion) to extend for up to 3 further years (a maximum of 8
years).
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £890,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 66522000 - Group pension services
- 66523000 - Pension fund consultancy services
- 66523100 - Pension fund administration services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NIE Networks wishes to enter into a Framework Agreement with one suitably qualified and experienced organisation to provide management of pension liabilities, including advising the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations. The service provider will provide a primary point of contact for NIE Networks.
NIE Networks have a requirement for an experienced pension advisor to provide the
following services (assignments) to the company three times in each annual period to meet International Accounting Standard 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ (IAS 19) requirements for a) annual published accounts, b) interim published accounts and c) published regulatory accounts:
• Formal terms of reference for each exercise,
• Provision of advice and methodology in relation to financial and demographic assumptions to be used in IAS19 exercises,
• Discussion with the company of approach to each exercise including assumption setting and accounting treatment of various items,
• Provision of IAS19 calculations and disclosure requirements,
• Preparation of formal reports to meet all IAS19 reporting and disclosure requirements
In addition to the pension accounting services, additional advisory services are required so that the company can meet its requirements in managing pension liabilities, including advice in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations, reviewing the investment strategy of the scheme and implementing the scheme’s long-term funding objectives.
The Framework will be established for an initial period of 5 years with an option (exercisable entirely at NIE Network’s Discretion) to extend for up to 3 further years (a maximum of 8 years).
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 30%
Price - Weighting: 70%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Framework Agreement period is 5 (five) years with the option, exercisable exclusively by NIE Networks, to extend the Framework Agreement for up to a further 3 (three) years.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-006646
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
CA300 (2025)
Lot No
N/A
Title
CA300 (2025) Provision of Pension Accounting Advisory Services and management of pension liabilities, including advising the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 December 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Mercer Limited
1 Tower Place, Lower Thames Street
London
EC3R 5BU
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
00984275
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £890,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Framework Agreement period is 5 (five) years with the option, exercisable exclusively by NIE Networks, to extend the Framework Agreement for up to a further 3 (three) years.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
120 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 5HT
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
High Court in Northern Ireland Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
Country
United Kingdom