Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED
Grand Buildings,1-3 Strand
LONDON
WC2N5EH
Contact
Cait Williams
Caitlin.Williams@nationalgrid.com
Telephone
+44 7976989186
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI32 - Westminster
Companies House
04508773
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.6) Main activity
Electricity
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Digital and Data Capabilities Framework
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO), a legally separate business within the National Grid Group, is the electricity system operator for Great Britain. The NGESO moves electricity around the system to keep homes and businesses supplied with the energy they need 24/7.
National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) became a legally separate business from the wider National Grid Electricity Transmission (NG) in 2019. NGESO is on a journey to become NESO, a separate legal entity under UK government ownership during Summer 2024. Where in this notice we refer to NESO, this should be understood as also including NGESO before the change is taken place.
The Digital, Data and Technology (DD&T) organisation within NESO provides the sourcing capabilities, roles and skills required to achieve NESO digital deliverables.
To support the role of the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we will require a digital sourcing framework which enables digital delivery at pace. For this we will require a supply chain that consistently delivers a fit for purpose service, adapting to a constantly evolving NESO organisation with different digital needs. We require a supply chain that delivers knowledge, expertise of modern technology and provides access to innovation, and is able to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other relevant technologies into existing systems. We are looking for partners who are skilled in modern engineering practices such as DevSecOps, CI/CD, Automation and who are capable of continuously implementing technology transformation.
NESO requires access to digital skills and programme support in a flexible way to achieve objectives under its Business Plan plus Digitalisation Strategy, whilst building relationships with suppliers who can partner in developing strategic direction, and implementing and transferring knowledge, as well as leveraging frontier technology.
The scope of the framework will comprise digital consultancy services and digital implementation services. Our current thinking is that these will include the following components, but this may be subject to change before PQQ is issued:
Lot 1: All Digital & Data
Lot 2: Data & AI
Lot 3: Security
Lot 4: Engineering
The lotting structure will be designed to suit a holistic or a more specialised approach to facilitate large companies and niche suppliers having places on the framework.
These lots will be structured as NESO sees fit for its PQQ. Codes within this PIN cover all areas, so if interested please register for the codes associated with services and capabilities you can and want to provide.
More information on National Grid ESO (NESO) can be found at https://www.nationalgrideso.com/
Our latest Digitalisation Strategy can be found at https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/299416/download
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
All Data & Digital
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Our current thinking is that this lot encompasses all competences and skills required to achieve NESO's objectives under its business plan, digitalisation strategy, and digital first ambitions, including without limitation the provision of all current services fulfilled by the National Grid Group, as well as supporting NESO as a full end to end business, and expanding these same services to cover the new roles within, and ambitions of, NESO.
The supplier for this lot will be responsible for providing end to end capabilities to enable partnership delivery of large or more specific projects.
Indicative examples of required capabilities are as follows:
Project Management Office
Business Analysis
Product Design and Management
Infrastructure Management and Support
Solution Delivery Management
Release Management
End-to-end user experience (UX) management
UVDB Codes to be registered on Achilles:
2.1.2.0 Software Development Services
2.1.3.0 Software Support Services
2.1.10.0 Data Collection & Handling Services
2.2.0 Business Consultancy
2.2.3.0 IT Consultancy
2.2.10.0 Security Consultancy
2.2.22.0 Risk Management Consultancy
2.6.41.0 Business Project Management
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Our current thinking is that this lot will provide NESO with specialist data capabilities including management, processing, storage, and analysis of data to inform and support data-led strategic decision-making, innovation, and operational efficiency. We will look to it for application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), be it in current legacy systems, new transformational platforms, or standalone solutions.
Indicative examples of required capabilities are as follows:
Data engineering
Data science
Business intelligence
Data management
AI/ML implementation and management
UVDB Codes to be registered on Achilles:
2.1.2.0 Software Development Services
2.1.10.0 Data Collection & Handling Services
2.2.3.0 IT Consultancy
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Security
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Our current thinking is that this lot will enable NESO to cover both physical and digital specific security needs. This would range from internal to external threats and encompass work from policy creation to incident response.
Indicative examples of required capabilities are as follows:
Threat intelligence
Security operations
Vulnerability assessment and management
Incident response
Security consultancy and expert advice
Software and application security engineering
Security architecture
UVDB Codes to be registered on Achilles:
2.2.3.0 IT Consultancy
2.2.10.0 Security Consultancy
2.2.22.0 Risk Management Consultancy
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Engineering
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Our current thinking is that this lot encompasses the application of principles and practices involved in the development and maintenance of digital solutions and platforms which make up NGESO's digital landscape, including software development, platform architecture, DevSecOps, cloud computing. It also includes the application of architecture standards in line with NGESO defined solution strategy and modernisation practices.
Indicative examples of required capabilities are as follows:
Solution architecture
Systems and Software development management
Quality Engineering
Application, infrastructure and network support
end-to-end user experience management
DevSecOps
Agile Development
Design thinking
UVDB Codes to be registered on Achilles:
2.1.2.0 Software Development Services
2.2.3.1 Infrastructure/Hardware
2.2.3.3 Software Implementation
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
26 February 2024
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: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date
22 February 2024
Local time
11:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
All information provided in this notice should be considered indicative in nature and no overall decision on the lotting structure and exact scope have yet been made.
This notice is not a formal request for expressions of interest.
National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO), a legally separate business within the National Grid Group, is the electricity system operator for Great Britain. The NGESO moves electricity around the system to keep homes and businesses supplied with the energy they need 24/7.
National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) became a legally separate business from the wider National Grid Electricity Transmission (NG) in 2019. NGESO are on a journey to become FSO, a separate legal entity under UK government ownership in mid-2024. Pertinent to this, it must devise a long-term corporate network strategy.
NESO is not obliged to respond to any correspondence related to this notice. Direct or indirect canvassing of NESO (or any person connected with it) by any person concerning this notice, or any attempt to procure information outside of the defined process is discouraged and may (in certain circumstances) require the disqualification of the relevant person(s) from participation in any future competitive procurement process.
All information provided by NESO during this notice is at an early stage of development, is not intended by NESO to create any contract or other commitment and is not intended by NESO to be otherwise relied on by any person to any extent. NESO shall have no liability for any losses incurred by any person as a result any such reliance.
Further to the enclosed PIN, please indicate your expression of interest and confirmation of registration of ALL UVDB codes relevant to the services you wish to provide for NESO under Digital and Data Capabilities Framework by emailing Caitlin.Williams@nationalgrid.com
You must be fully registered on Achilles and registered against ALL UVDB Codes within each Lot in order to receive the Contract Notice and be invited to the Pre-Qualification Stage.
Please clearly state for each Lot your interest and current status, i.e.: Lot 1
Interested? Yes/No If Yes,
Fully registered on Achilles against UVDB Codes? Yes/No
Partially registered
Not registered at all
Desta Wheeler (Desta.Wheeler@achilles.com) can support any issues with completion of your registration process on Achilles ahead of the qualification event planned to commence in 26th February 2024.