Scope
Description
Purchase of MetrySense 5000 sensors and the associated analysis software licenses to expand the trial developed during a joint NIA Arc Aid project. There will be an initial purchase of 130 sets of MetrySense sensors to test the scalability of the solution with an option to purchase an additional 106 sets of sensors, subject to successful implementation and budgetary sign off.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Framework
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
8 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 September 2025 to 7 September 2028
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Goods
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Option to purchase an additional 103 sets of MetrySense 5000 sensors and associated analysis software licenses, subject to successful implementation and budgetary sign off.
CPV classifications
- 38431300 - Fault detectors
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Competition is absent for technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives (Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, paragraph 6): Arc Suppression Coil (ASC) earthed systems are prevalent on the 33kV and 11kV distribution networks in National Grid Electricity Distribution's (NGED) South West licence area. They were developed early in the 20th century due to the difficulty in achieving low enough earth resistance to operate the incumbent protection systems for high-impedance earth faults.
A drawback of ASC systems is that they cannot identify the earth fault location or the specific faulty feeder. Consequently, network control engineers typically must carry out strategic network
switching to isolate the faulted feeder, often disconnecting customers on healthy feeders in the process.
A joint Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) project 'Arc Aid' was created between UK Power Networks (UKPN) and NGED and successfully developed and trialled a novel advanced grid sensor, the MetrySense 5000, developed by Megger to solve this issue and integrate the results into the NGED Network Management System. Building on the success of the NIA project, this contract seeks to deploy and test this solution at scale.
Supplier
MEGGER LIMITED
- Companies House: 02110613
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZMV-9859-PCMP
Archcliffe Road
Kent
CT17 9EN
United Kingdom
Email: portals@megger.com
Region: UKJ44 - East Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION PLC
- Companies House: 09223384
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQTQ-1944-LDDN
Avonbank
Bristol
BS2 0TB
United Kingdom
Region: UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Organisation type: Private utility