Planning

23/001 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information for the Provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services

  • Gas Networks Ireland

F04: Periodic indicative notice – utilities (periodic indicative notice only)

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-002686

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-039b9e

Published 27 January 2023, 5:17pm



Section one: Contracting entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Gas Networks Ireland

Gasworks Road

Cork

Cork

Contact

Tender Admin

Email

Tenders@gasnetworks.ie

Country

Ireland

Region code

IE - Ireland

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.gasnetworks.ie

Buyer's address

https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/376

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

www.etenders.gov.ie

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

www.etenders.gov.ie

one.6) Main activity

Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

23/001 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information for the Provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services

Reference number

23/001

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 76100000 - Professional services for the gas industry

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This Qualification System will cover hydrogen services required across GNI including Safety, Technical, Commercial, Regulatory, Economic, Strategy etc.

The proposed duration of this Qualification System is eight years, commencing in Q2 2023 and ending Q1 2031.

Gas Networks Ireland is seeking responses to this Request for Expressions of Interest and Information.

Stage 1 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information This stage is the initial market sounding stage. Gas Networks Ireland are now inviting responses from interested parties who wish to have the opportunity to present solutions to Gas Networks Ireland for the provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services

Stage 2 - Engagement Sessions Following a review of submissions, Gas Networks Ireland may invite individual selected respondents to attend sessions where Gas Networks Ireland will define further its requirement and further explore the respondent's submission.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

23/001 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information for the Provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 65000000 - Public utilities
  • 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
  • 76000000 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • IE - Ireland
Main site or place of performance

Ireland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

In 2021, GNI were tasked by the Department of Environment Communications and Climate(DECC) to;

1. Test the technical feasibility of safely injecting green hydrogen blends in the gas grid

2. Assess the potential for energy system integration between electricity and gas networks including the production, storage and use of green hydrogen

3. Develop a policy/regulatory roadmap for green hydrogen use in the natural gas grid.

This Qualification System will cover hydrogen services required across GNI including Safety, Technical, Commercial, Regulatory, Economic, Strategy etc.

GNI are seeking to partake in numerous hydrogen projects related to the existing asset base and exploring new hydrogen investments which will be detailed by way of specific lots as part of this Qualification System.

The proposed duration of this Qualification System is eight years, commencing in Q2 2023 and ending Q1 2031.

The immediate requirement of this competition is the completion of a demonstration project and also a National Safety Case that demonstrates to the safety regulatory authorities that GNI can safely introduce hydrogen blends onto its existing national distribution networks.

This Qualification System will include hydrogen services such that the testing of material compatibility for steel and polyethylene pipework, valves, and other engineering component parts is carried out in advance of pilot and scale up hydrogen blend programmes.

The successful supplier(s) will proactively engage with GNI to identify gaps and address any areas identified that facilitate the introduction of hydrogen blends.

The supplier will also assess impacts on downstream end users and complete an interim report and safety cases. The supplier will be required to meet DECC, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and other stakeholders as required by GNI.

In this regard, Gas Networks Ireland is seeking responses to this Request for Expressions of Interest and Information.

Stage 1 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information This stage is the initial market sounding stage. Gas Networks Ireland are now inviting responses from interested parties who wish to have the opportunity to present solutions to Gas Networks Ireland for the provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services

Stage 2 - Engagement Sessions Following a review of submissions, Gas Networks Ireland may invite individual selected respondents to attend sessions where Gas Networks Ireland will define further its requirement and further explore the respondent's submission.

two.2.14) Additional information

GNI wishes to invite request for information for "23/001 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information for the Provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services." Completed RFI's should be returned via the etenders messaging facility with the tender reference & tender title in the subject line of the message not later than 12.00hrs (local time) on Tuesday 21st February 2023.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

21 March 2023


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest

Date

21 February 2023

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English, Irish


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Gas Networks Ireland wishes to invite request for information for "23/001 - Request for Expressions of Interest and Information for the Provision of Hydrogen Consultancy Services. "Completed RFI's should be returned via the etenders messaging facility with the tender reference and the tender title in the subject line of the message not later than 12.00 hrs (local time) on Tuesday 21st February 2023. www.etenders.gov.ie/system-user-guides