Tender

S1140 (2026) PROVISION OF LARGE PLANT HIRE AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES

  • Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-015539

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-059b3f (view related notices)

Published 20 February 2026, 10:22am



Scope

Reference

S1140 (2026)

Description

NIE Networks wishes to award Framework Agreements for the Hire of Large Plant and Associated Services which will facilitate NIE Networks’ internal work requirements associated with:

• Provision of New Customer Connections

• Asset Installation/Replacement/Upgrade Works

• Fault & Emergency Response

These services will include:

• Hire of Large Plant – Track machines and rubber wheel diggers to assist with the erection / replacement of electricity poles/towers, Vegetation management and Installation of stay rods and installation of substation earthing. Unaccompanied rigging and erecting of new poles. Transportation of NIE Networks own plant and equipment.

• Transportation and Installation of NIE Networks’ equipment including Contract lift and hire of associated lifting equipment – Forklifts, Telehandlers and Transport equipment to move and install equipment onto site and to recover redundant equipment.

• Lorry Mounted Crane Hire – Lifting Service under the terms of a ‘Contract Lift’ in accordance with the relevant legislation.

• Mobile Crane Hire – Lifting Service as ‘Contract Lifts’ in accordance with the relevant legislation.

• Provision of ground supports / bog mats or trackway systems, where required.

• Provision of resources to perform ground bearing checks, where required.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £37,308,500 excluding VAT
  • £44,765,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 4 January 2027 to 3 January 2031
  • Possible extension to 4 January 2035
  • 8 years, 1 day

Description of possible extension:

Each Framework Agreement will be for a period of 4 years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the Contracting Entity and subject to the terms of the Framework Agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two times two year, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years.

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

Each Framework Agreement will be for a period of 4 years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the Contracting Entity and subject to the terms of the Framework Agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two times two year, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years.

Main procurement category

Services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Lot constraints

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 2

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:

Suppliers could be awarded Framework Agreements in each area of service provision up to the maximum no of 2 Lots providing they have sufficient technical ability and financial capacity.

Not the same for all lots

CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.


Lot 1. Hire of Large Plant - Area 1

Description

Area 1

• The provision of track machines / rubber wheel diggers and operators to assist NIE Networks’ teams with:

o the erection / replacement of electricity poles, pole mounted apparatus and towers including the installation of stay rods

o the installation and repair of substation earthing and associated testing including earth sketches

o Vegetation Management using Excavators fitted with suitably designed attachments

• Unaccompanied rigging and erection of new poles including collection of materials from NIE Networks’ sites.

• Hire of large tracked access equipment inclusive of transportation.

• Live pole erection

• Loading, transportation and unloading of NIE Networks’ own plant and equipment including but not limited to poles, transformers, conductors, cables and steelwork.

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ emergency storm repairs

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ 24-hour fault and emergency response works

Lot value (estimated)

  • £13,810,500 excluding VAT
  • £16,566,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 45510000 - Hire of cranes with operator
  • 45520000 - Hire of earthmoving equipment with operator
  • 43262100 - Mechanical excavators
  • 43310000 - Civil engineering machinery
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42414400 - Vehicle-mounted cranes
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 2. Hire Of Large Plant - Area 2

Description

Area 2

• The provision of track machines / rubber wheel diggers and operators to assist NIE Networks’ teams with:

o the erection / replacement of electricity poles, pole mounted apparatus and towers including the installation of stay rods

o the installation and repair of substation earthing and associated testing including earth sketches

o Vegetation Management using Excavators fitted with suitably designed attachments

• Unaccompanied rigging and erection of new poles including collection of materials from NIE Networks’ sites.

• Hire of large tracked access equipment inclusive of transportation.

• Live pole erection

• Loading, transportation and unloading of NIE Networks’ own plant and equipment including but not limited to poles, transformers, conductors, cables and steelwork.

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ emergency storm repairs

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ 24-hour fault and emergency response works

Lot value (estimated)

  • £6,694,000 excluding VAT
  • £8,033,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 45510000 - Hire of cranes with operator
  • 45520000 - Hire of earthmoving equipment with operator
  • 43262100 - Mechanical excavators
  • 43310000 - Civil engineering machinery
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42414400 - Vehicle-mounted cranes
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 3. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 1

Description

Area 1

• The provision of a Contract Lift service through Lorry Mounted Cranes to support NIE Networks with the delivery of work within a pre-defined area.

• The contractor will perform the Lifting Service under the terms of a ‘Contract Lift’ in accordance with the relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice i.e. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 and BS 7121 (Part 4) “Code of practice for: Safe use of Lorry Mounted Cranes”.

• Contractors will be required to provide all machinery, vehicles, equipment, PPE and training required to complete the work.

• Contractors will be required to supply suitably sized and constructed outrigger support mats to distribute the combined weight of the lifting machine, load and lifting tackle over any one outrigger, depending on varying ground conditions at the location of the lift.

• The provision of Lorry Mounted Crane on a Contract Lift basis where the crane company provides a complete package for a given lifting operation. This will include but not limited to the following:

o A full lifting plan, method statement and risk assessment

o Provision of an appointed person, and where required a Lift Supervisor

o Provision of a banksman/slinger

o Provision of crane and crane operator

o Provision of all tackle and lifting gear

o Provision of all insurances

Lot value (estimated)

  • £5,004,000 excluding VAT
  • £6,005,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42414000 - Cranes, mobile lifting frames and works trucks fitted with a crane
  • 42414100 - Cranes
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42414400 - Vehicle-mounted cranes
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
  • 42418900 - Loading or handling machinery

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 4. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 2

Description

Area 2

• The provision of a Contract Lift service through Lorry Mounted Cranes to support NIE Networks with the delivery of work within a pre-defined area.

• The contractor will perform the Lifting Service under the terms of a ‘Contract Lift’ in accordance with the relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice i.e. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 and BS 7121 (Part 4) “Code of practice for: Safe use of Lorry Mounted Cranes”.

• Contractors will be required to provide all machinery, vehicles, equipment, PPE and training required to complete the work.

• Contractors will be required to supply suitably sized and constructed outrigger support mats to distribute the combined weight of the lifting machine, load and lifting tackle over any one outrigger, depending on varying ground conditions at the location of the lift.

• The provision of Lorry Mounted Crane on a Contract Lift basis where the crane company provides a complete package for a given lifting operation. This will include but not limited to the following:

o A full lifting plan, method statement and risk assessment

o Provision of an appointed person, and where required a Lift Supervisor

o Provision of a banksman/slinger

o Provision of crane and crane operator

o Provision of all tackle and lifting gear

o Provision of all insurances

Lot value (estimated)

  • £1,673,000 excluding VAT
  • £2,008,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42414000 - Cranes, mobile lifting frames and works trucks fitted with a crane
  • 42414100 - Cranes
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42418900 - Loading or handling machinery
  • 42414400 - Vehicle-mounted cranes
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 5. Mobile Cranes - Contract Lift

Description

• The provision of a Contract Lift service through mobile and special crane types to support NIE Networks with the delivery of work programmes throughout Northern Ireland. Works will be carried both within live electrical substations up to 400kV and in public/private property locations, within predefined zones, throughout Northern Ireland.

• The contractor will perform the Lifting Service under the terms of a ‘Contract Lift’ in accordance with the relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice i.e. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 and BS 7121 “Code of practice for: Safe use of cranes”.

• Contractors will be required to provide all machinery, vehicles, equipment, PPE and training required to complete the work and will be expected to cover all NIE Networks locations throughout Northern Ireland.

• Contractors will be required to supply suitably sized and constructed outrigger support mats to distribute the combined weight of the lifting machine, load and lifting tackle over any one outrigger, depending on varying ground conditions at the location of the lift.

• The provision of all crane types must be on a contract lift basis where the crane company provides a complete package for a given lifting operation. This will include but not limited to the following:

o A full lifting plan, method statement and risk assessment

o Provision of an appointed person, and where required a Lift Supervisor

o Provision of a banksman/slinger

o Provision of crane and crane operator

o Provision of all tackle and lifting gear

o Provision of all insurances

Lot value (estimated)

  • £3,850,000 excluding VAT
  • £4,620,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42414000 - Cranes, mobile lifting frames and works trucks fitted with a crane
  • 42414100 - Cranes
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42414400 - Vehicle-mounted cranes
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 6. Transportation of Large Plant & Hire of Forklifts / Telescopic Handlers and Associated Lifting Equipment

Description

• Provision and hire of lorry mounted cranes, forklifts, telehandlers and transport equipment, inclusive of operators to move and install equipment onto site and to recover redundant equipment under Contract Lift terms.

• Supplying Portable “A” frame Gantry for the installation of Switchgear.

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ emergency storm repairs

• Supplying plant and resources to supplement NIE Networks’ 24-hour fault and emergency response works

Lot value (estimated)

  • £6,277,000 excluding VAT
  • £7,533,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

CPV classifications

  • 45500000 - Hire of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment with operator
  • 34134100 - Flatbed trucks
  • 42414000 - Cranes, mobile lifting frames and works trucks fitted with a crane
  • 42415110 - Forklift trucks
  • 42415210 - Works trucks fitted with handling equipment
  • 42418000 - Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery
  • 42418900 - Loading or handling machinery
  • 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver

Same for all lots

Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

6

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

As specified within the RTP and/or tender documents available from the address specified within this notice with the reference project S1140 (2026) Hire of Large Plant and Associated Services

Award method when using the framework

With competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only


Participation

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation

Lot 1. Hire of Large Plant - Area 1

Lot 2. Hire Of Large Plant - Area 2

Lot 3. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 1

Lot 4. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 2

Lot 5. Mobile Cranes - Contract Lift

Lot 6. Transportation of Large Plant & Hire of Forklifts / Telescopic Handlers and Associated Lifting Equipment

As specified within the RTP and/or tender documents available from the address specified within this notice with the reference project S1140 (2026) Hire of Large Plant and Associated Services

Technical ability conditions of participation

Lot 1. Hire of Large Plant - Area 1

Lot 2. Hire Of Large Plant - Area 2

Lot 3. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 1

Lot 4. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 2

Lot 5. Mobile Cranes - Contract Lift

Lot 6. Transportation of Large Plant & Hire of Forklifts / Telescopic Handlers and Associated Lifting Equipment

As specified within the RTP and/or tender documents available from the address specified within this notice with the reference project S1140 (2026) Hire of Large Plant and Associated Services

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Hire of Large Plant - Area 1

Lot 2. Hire Of Large Plant - Area 2

Lot 3. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 1

Lot 4. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 2

Lot 5. Mobile Cranes - Contract Lift

Lot 6. Transportation of Large Plant & Hire of Forklifts / Telescopic Handlers and Associated Lifting Equipment

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

25 March 2026, 12:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

25 March 2026, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above mentioned address

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Suppliers to be invited to tender

Lot 1. Hire of Large Plant - Area 1

Lot 2. Hire Of Large Plant - Area 2

Lot 3. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 1

Lot 4. Lorry Mounted Crane - Contract Lift Area 2

Lot 5. Mobile Cranes - Contract Lift

Lot 6. Transportation of Large Plant & Hire of Forklifts / Telescopic Handlers and Associated Lifting Equipment

Maximum 6 suppliers per lot

Selection criteria:

per lot

Award decision date (estimated)

9 November 2026

Recurring procurement

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 4 January 2033


Award criteria

This table contains award criteria for this lot
Name Description Type Weighting
Price

Price

Price 70%
Quality

Quality

Quality 30%

Other information

Applicable trade agreements

  • Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Special regime

Utilities

Competitive flexible procedure description

As specified within the RTP and/or tender documents available from the address specified within this notice with the reference project S1140 (2026) Hire of Large Plant and Associated Services


Contracting authority

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

  • Companies House: NI026041

120 Malone Road

Belfast

BT9 5HT

United Kingdom

Organisation type: Private utility

Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland