Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
120 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 5HT
stephen.hughes@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
IT Managed Service Procurement
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
NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator and Transmission Network Owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks is responsible for the network of engineering assets that allows the transmission and distribution of electricity to customers’ premises from electricity generators.
The purpose of this procurement is to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period.
The scope of the contract will include:
• Service Management
• Infrastructure Management
• Data Hosting
• Cyber Security
• Telecommunications
• Resource Augmentation Services
• Supplier Licence Management
• Supplier Invoice Processing
Further detail is outlined within the PIM and PQQ documents available via the link at Section I.3 above.
NIE Networks estimates the value of the Contract to be between £150million and £200million.The estimated value of the Contract outlined in Section II.1.5 represents the total potential value of the contract over its full potential duration. This value is based upon the:
• transition and transformation activities outlined in the PIM;
• annual costs of managing and running the IT Managed Service;
• capital costs and residual operational costs of delivering IT upgrade and obsolescence projects across our infrastructure, applications and telecommunications estate via Change Control; and
• pass-through costs for purchases and maintenance of third-party licenses acquired by the IT Managed Service Provider for NIE Networks’ use.
Please note that there will be contractual requirements regarding social value. These may include, but will not be limited to, the following themes:
o Employment and skills
o Ethical and Resilient Supply Chains
o Sustainability and delivering Zero Carbon
o Wellbeing
Further information will be provided at the ITN stage of the Procurement.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £200,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72100000 - Hardware consultancy services
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
- 72300000 - Data services
- 72400000 - Internet services
- 72500000 - Computer-related services
- 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
- 72700000 - Computer network services
- 72800000 - Computer audit and testing services
- 72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion 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
This procurement procedure is being conducted in compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) and NIE Networks intends to use the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition for the award of the Contract.
The purpose of this procurement is to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period.
The scope of the contract will include:
• Service Management
• Infrastructure Management
• Data Hosting
• Cyber Security
• Telecommunications
• Resource Augmentation Services
• Supplier Licence Management
• Supplier Invoice Processing
Bidders should note that a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) was published on Find a Tender by NIE Networks in respect of the Procurement with reference 2024/S 000-020334. The purpose of the PIN was to advise the market of the upcoming opportunity and provide potential Bidders with information in relation to the proposed approach. The issue of the PIN was not a call for competition and only Bidders that submit a PQQ will be considered for participation in the Procurement.
Please note that there will be contractual requirements regarding social value. These may include, but will not be limited to, the following themes:
o Employment and skills
o Ethical and Resilient Supply Chains
o Sustainability and delivering Zero Carbon
o Wellbeing
Further information will be provided at the ITN stage of the Procurement.
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: £200,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
126
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 3
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
As stated in the pre-qualification questionnaire documents.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract will be for an initial term beginning on the Effective Date (as defined in the Contract, and currently planned to be in October 2025) and ending five (5) years from the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date (as defined in the Contract), followed by up to five (5) extension periods of one (1) year each at NIE Networks' sole discretion, providing a maximum potential Contract duration of ten (10) years from and including the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date. Please note that, in the event of any slippage to the Transition Completion Date beyond 1st April 2026 (which will be outside the control of NIE Networks once the contract is awarded), the total duration of the contract could potentially exceed the 126 months referenced in Section II.2.7 above.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
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 stated in the procurement documents.
three.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required
Bidders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consortium members) may rely on the resources of third-party entities, with which they are directly or indirectly linked, in order to meet the selection criteria set out in the PQQ. NIE Networks reserves the right to require such assurance as it considers necessary and to require the provision of a guarantee, performance bond, direct agreement, or collateral warranty from the third-party entity(ies).
three.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them
As stated in the procurement documents.
three.1.8) Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded
In the event of a consortium submission, each consortium member may be required to contract with NIE Networks on such basis as is considered appropriate by NIE Networks, at its discretion. However, having regard to the nature, size and complexity of the Contract and the likely roles of the consortium parties, Bidders should note that NIE Networks’ intention is to require one consortium member to contract as the prime contractor (with the remaining consortium members being appointed as sub-contractors to the prime contractor and entering into direct agreements, collateral warranties or guarantees with NIE Networks).
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As stated in the procurement documents.
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: 2024/S 000-020334
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
18 November 2024
Local time
3:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
16 December 2024
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: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
Under no circumstances will NIE Networks or its advisors be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by Bidders, their funders and/or their respective advisors arising directly or indirectly from the procurement process, their participation in or termination thereof, including, without limitation, preparation and submission of responses, as a result of any changes or adjustments made to the procurement documents or the exclusion/disqualification of a Bidder. Only the express terms of the contractual documents, if and when executed shall have any contractual effect in connection with the matters to which this procurement process relates. Neither the issue of the procurement documents, nor any of the information presented in them, should be regarded as a commitment or representation on the part of NIE Networks (or any other person) to enter into a contractual arrangement. Nothing in the procurement documents should be interpreted as a commitment by NIE Networks to award a contract to a Bidder as a result of this. procurement process, nor to accept the lowest price or any tender. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a tenderer shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the contract has been confirmed by NIE Networks. As such, NIE Networks reserves the right at any time to cancel, withdraw or amend the procurement process at any stage.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
NIE Networks will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of contract is communicated to all tenderers. The standstill period provides time for unsuccessful tenderersto challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.
The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (Northern Ireland).