Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC
1 - 3 Strand
London
WC2N 5EH
Contact
David Smith
Telephone
+44 7813356850
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.1) Name and addresses
SP Transmission PLC
320 St Vincent Street
Glasgow
G2 5AD
Contact
Gary Gallagher
Telephone
+44 7747235997
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law
England, Wales & Northern Ireland
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Torness to Hawthorn Pit HVDC Link
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45000000 - Construction work
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC (NGET) and SP Transmission PLC (SPTN) (the "Employers") are jointly developing a HVDC link between Torness, Scotland and Hawthorn Pit, England (the "HVDC Link"). This notice concerns the award of one or more Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracts for the detailed design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, installation, construction, testing, commissioning, spares provision, operational hand-over and maintenance of the HVDC Link between Scotland and England.
The procurement is structured in 3 Lots consisting of:
Lot 1 - EPC of HVDC, Voltage Source Commutated (VSC) converter stations at both Torness and Hawthorn Pit and HVAC underground cable at Hawthorn Pit between Converter Station and Point of Common Connection (PCC).
Lot 2 - EPC of HVDC submarine and underground cable between converter stations at both Torness and Hawthorn Pit including HVAC underground cable at Torness between converter station & Point of Common Connection (PCC).
Lot 3 - A single contract (Turnkey) for both the converter stations and the submarine & underground cabling works.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £924,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
The Employers anticipate either awarding separate contracts for the HVDC converter stations and the cable system. (Lot 1 & Lot 2) or awarding a single Turnkey contract for both elements of the Project (Lot 3)
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
EPC of HVDC Voltage Source Commutated (VSC) converter stations at both Torness & Hawthorn Pit and HVAC underground cable at Hawthorn Pit between Converter Station and Point of Common Connection (PCC)
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 31200000 - Electricity distribution and control apparatus
- 31321300 - High-voltage cable
- 45231400 - Construction work for electricity power lines
- 45314310 - Installation of cable laying
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK and UK territorial waters
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
EPC of two HVDC VSC converter stations (England and Scotland), including the underground civils works, to accommodate x2 HVDC cable poles over a total route length of approximately 196 km, forming a connection and capable of delivering 2GW as more fully described in the procurement documents.
Applicants' submissions must include detailed delivery plans/programmes clearly demonstrating how production and installation will be achieved to ensure full commissioning of the HVDC Link by Q4 2027.
Submissions must also include EPC of HVAC cable between the converter station and PCC at Hawthorn Pit only. The submission must include interfaces (as defined in the procurement documents) between adjacent cable and converter equipment, allowing interconnection of a final end-to-end solution.
The contract will also include a warranty and maintenance period.
The Employers are considering both a 2GW 2 Cable 525kV solution and a 1.4GW-1.6GW solution. Given the differences in the specification it is proposed to sub-divide Lot 2 to consider these alternative proposals. In the event that the cable capacity is reduced to 1.4 - 1.6GW, the appointed Lot 1 contractor may be required to modify its proposal on the converter station to meet the capability of the selected cable technology solution.
The Employers envisage taking up to a maximum of three (3) Applicants on Lot 1 through to RfP stage.
For the purpose of awarding the contracts, the Employers may enter into joint venture arrangements. If this approach were to be adopted and, depending on the nature of the joint venture arrangements, the successful Applicant(s) may be required to enter into a contract with a new JV entity relating to the execution of the works and services being procured.
As part of the contract award process, the Employers are considering the potential to award early works ahead of entering into the main EPC contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £444,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Maintenance for Converter Stations
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
EPC of HVDC submarine and underground cable between converter stations (Torness & Hawthorn Pit) inc. HVAC underground cable at Torness between converter station & Point of Common Connection (PCC).
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 31200000 - Electricity distribution and control apparatus
- 31321300 - High-voltage cable
- 31321500 - Submarine cable
- 45231400 - Construction work for electricity power lines
- 45314310 - Installation of cable laying
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK and UK territorial waters
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
EPC of two HVDC cable poles (underground and submarine cable), including the underground civils works, over a total route length of approximately 196 km, forming part of a connection between two HVDC converter stations (England and Scotland) and capable of delivering 2GW (Lot 2A) or 1.4GW - 1.6GW (Lot 2B).
Applicants' submissions must also include EPC of HVAC cable between the converter station and PCC at Torness only. Applicants' submissions must include interfaces (as defined in the procurement documents) between adjacent cable & converter equipment, allowing interconnection of a final end-to-end solution.
Submissions must include detailed delivery plans/programmes clearly demonstrating how production and installation will be achieved to ensure full commissioning of the HVDC Link by Q4 2027.
The contract will also include a warranty and maintenance period. The proposed HVDC cable technology is 525kV XLPE, PPL or MIND. Proposed PPL and MIND cable systems (cables and accessories, including factory joints and transition joints) shall be type tested in accordance with Cigre Electra 189 and 171 before the award of the contract. Proposed XLPE cable systems (cables and accessories, including factory joints and transition joints) shall be PQ tested in accordance with CIGRE TB852 or TB496 before the award of the contract.
The Employers envisage taking up to a maximum of twelve successful Applicants - a maximum of six (6) on Lot 2A and six (6) on Lot 2B - (in accordance with the procurement documents) through to RfP stage.
For the purpose of awarding the contracts, the Employers may enter into joint venture arrangements.
If this approach were to be adopted and, depending on the nature of the joint venture arrangements, the successful applicant(s) may be required to enter into a contract with a new JV entity relating to the execution of the works and services being procured.
As part of the contract award process, the Employers are considering the potential to award early works ahead of entering into the main EPC contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £480,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Provide a spare duct to each landfall
Post Delivery Support Agreement
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
A single contract (Turnkey)
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 31200000 - Electricity distribution and control apparatus
- 31321300 - High-voltage cable
- 31321500 - Submarine cable
- 45231400 - Construction work for electricity power lines
- 45314310 - Installation of cable laying
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK and UK territorial waters
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
EPC of Two HVDC VSC converter stations (England and Scotland), including the underground civils works, to accommodate x2 HVDC cable poles over a total route length of approximately 196 km, forming a connection and capable of delivering 2GW as more fully described in the procurement documents.
EPC of two HVDC cable poles (underground and submarine cable), including the underground civils works, over a total route length of approximately 196 km, forming part of a connection between two HVDC converter stations (England and Scotland) and capable of delivering 2GW or 1.4 - 1.6GW.
Applicants' submissions must also include EPC of HVAC cable between the converter station and PCC at Torness and Hawthorn Pit. The submission must include interfaces (as defined in the procurement documents) between adjacent cable and converter equipment, allowing interconnection of a final end-to-end solution.
The contract will also include a warranty and maintenance period. The HVDC cable technology is 525kV XLPE, PPL or MIND. Proposed PPL and MIND cable systems (cables and accessories, including factory joints and transition joints) shall be type tested in accordance with Cigre Electra 189 and 171 before the award of the contract. Proposed XLPE cable systems (cables and accessories, including factory joints and transition joints) shall be Pre-Qualification tested in accordance with CIGRE TB852 or TB496 before the award of the contract.
Submissions must include detailed delivery plans/programmes clearly demonstrating how production and installation will be achieved to ensure full commissioning of the HVDC Link by Q4 2027.
Please note that the constituent parts of any joint venture or consortium Applicant participating in Lot 3 will be expected also to participate in Lot 1 and Lot 2.
The Employers envisage taking up to a maximum of three (3) Applicants on Lot 3 through to RfP stage.
For the purpose of awarding the contracts, the Employers may enter into joint venture arrangements. If this approach were to be adopted and, depending on the nature of the joint venture arrangements, the successful applicant(s) may be required to enter into a contract with a new JV entity relating to the execution of the works and services being procured.
As part of the contract award process, the Employers are considering the potential to award early works ahead of entering into the main EPC contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £924,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Maintenance for Converter Stations
Provide a spare duct to each landfall
Post Delivery Support Agreement
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
As described in the procurement documents
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
As described in the procurement documents
three.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
List and brief description of rules and criteria
As described in the procurement documents
three.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required
The following contractual security may be required from contractors:
Parent company guarantees from the ultimate parent company or equivalent third-party security
Performance, retention and warranty bonds
Collateral warranties in favour of the Employers from all key subcontractors (to be determined by the Employers)
Advance payment bonds if the Employers agree to an advance payment, in each case as more fully described in the procurement documents
three.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them
Torness to Hawthorn Pit HVDC Link is subject to regulation under the Ofgem RIIO-T2 Large Onshore Transmission Investment regime and therefore the project costs and payment provisions may be subject to regulatory oversight.
three.1.8) Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded
Where there is a group of economic operators, joint venture or consortium each economic operator, joint venture partner or consortium member must be jointly and severally liable for the whole of the performance of the obligations under any contract to which it is a party.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Contracts will be structured on an EPC basis, will be subject to the laws of England, Wales & Northern Ireland, and will contain performance guarantees. Completion and full commissioning of the HVDC Link needs to be scheduled to be completed by Q4 2027. Full details of the contract performance conditions are described in procurement documents.
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.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
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: 2020/S 207-506533
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
4 March 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
7 April 2022
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 16 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
For the purpose of awarding the contracts, the Employers may enter into joint venture arrangements. If this approach were to be adopted and, depending on the nature of the joint venture arrangements, the successful contractor(s) may be required to enter into a contract with a new JV entity relating to the execution of the works and services being procured.
The Employers reserve the right to withdraw this notice or any of the Lots
included in this notice at any time for whatever reason. In the event that the
Employers decide to withdraw any Lots within this notice, the Employers
reserve the right to continue the process in respect of any of the remaining
Lots.
Applicants shall be fully responsible for the costs of responding to this
procurement at all stages of the procurement and in no circumstances do
the Employers accept any liability for any costs incurred by any Applicants,
howsoever or whensoever incurred.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice
Queen's Bench Division Divisional Court, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand,
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom