Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
120 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 5HT
Contact
Charlotte Mercier
Charlotte.Mercier@nienetworks.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKN - Northern Ireland
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned 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
Reference number
CA300 (2025)
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.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £890,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
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
Main site or place of performance
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).
Please refer to the suite of tender documents for information regarding the frequency/quantity of the services required.
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: £890,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
96
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
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.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Maximum number: 6
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
As specified within the PQQ and/or tender documents available from the address specified at I.3) above with the reference project 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.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2.14) Additional information
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).
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 specified within the PQQ and/or tender documents available from the address specified at I.3) above with the reference project CA300 (2025) -
Provision of Pension Accounting Advisory Services and management of pension liabilities, including advising the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
List and brief description of rules and criteria
As specified within the PQQ and/or tender documents available from the address specified at I.3) above with the reference project CA300 (2025) -
Provision of Pension Accounting Advisory Services and management of pension liabilities, including advising the company in relation to triennial scheme funding valuations.
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
Framework agreement with a single operator
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 tenders or requests to participate
Date
25 March 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
28 April 2025
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: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: 96 months
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 of Justice in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
120 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 5HT
Country
United Kingdom