Contract

CA299 (2024) - Programme & Project Services Resource Augmentation

  • Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

F06: Contract award notice – utilities

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-053481

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-046d88 (view related notices)

Published 3 September 2025, 11:43am



Section one: Contracting entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

120 Malone Road,

Belfast,

BT9 5HT

Email

betty.robinson@nienetworks.co.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.nienetworks.co.uk

one.6) Main activity

Electricity


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

CA299 (2024) - Programme & Project Services Resource Augmentation

Reference number

CA299

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

The Contract Entity intends to establish a Framework Arrangement under which it shall appoint Economic Operators to enter into separate Framework Agreement for the provision of Programme and Project Services Resource Augmentation across a number of separate lots. Each framework will be for a period of three(3) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the Contracting entity of up to four(4) years, with a total potential duration of seven (7) years.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £29,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 1 - Programme /Project Management

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 72100000 - Hardware consultancy services
  • 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
  • 72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software
  • 72212000 - Programming services of application software
  • 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
  • 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
  • 72224100 - System implementation planning services
  • 79610000 - Placement services of personnel

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKN - Northern Ireland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 1, in accordance with the ITT documentation.

This Lot is concerned with the provision of experienced programme and project management resources to assist NIE Networks in the delivery of the RP7 programme of work.

The framework for this lot has been awarded for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend (entirely at the discretion of NIE Networks) for up to a further 2 periods of up to 2 years each. That is a possible 7 years in total (3 years, with optional 2 x 2-year extensions).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Optional extension period of further 2 periods of up to 2 years each.

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) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 2 – Business change

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 72100000 - Hardware consultancy services
  • 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
  • 72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software
  • 72212000 - Programming services of application software
  • 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
  • 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
  • 72224100 - System implementation planning services
  • 79610000 - Placement services of personnel

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKN - Northern Ireland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NIE Networks has placed a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to framework agreements for this Lot 2, in accordance with the ITT documentation.

This Lot is concerned with the provision of experienced business change resources to assist NIE Networks in the delivery of the RP7 Digital, IT & Data programme of work.

The framework for this lot is awarded for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend (entirely at the discretion of NIE Networks) for up to a further 2 periods of up to 2 years each. That is a possible 7 years in total (3 years, with optional 2 x 2-year extensions).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Optional extension period of a further 2 periods of up to 2 years each.

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) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 3 - Quality Assurance

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software
  • 72212000 - Programming services of application software
  • 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
  • 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
  • 72253200 - Systems support services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NIE Networks has established a panel of five organisations and appointed each on to a framework agreement for this Lot 3, in accordance with the IT documentation.

This Lot is concerned with the provision of experienced QA resources to assist NIE Networks in the delivery of the RP7 Digital, IT & Data programme of work.

The framework for this lot has been awarded for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend (entirely at the discretion of NIE Networks) for up to a further 2 periods of up to 2 years each. That is a possible 7 years in total (3 years, with optional 2 x 2 year extensions).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Optional extension period of further 2 periods of up to 2 years each.

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 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

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 000-017390


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

CA299 (2025)

Lot No

1

Title

Lot 1 - Programme/Project Management

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

27 August 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 12

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Expleo Technology UK Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Version 1 Solutions Ltd

Birmingham

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Ernst & Young LLP

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Van Rath Recruitment Ltd

Belfast

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £18,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

CA299 (2025)

Lot No

2

Title

Lot 2 - Business Change Resource Augmentation Framework

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

27 August 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 11

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Expleo Technology UK Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Ernst & Young LLP

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Vanrath Recruitment Ltd

Belfast

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKN - Northern Ireland
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Cognizant Worldwide Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £4,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

CA299 (2024)

Lot No

3

Title

Quality Assurance Resource Augmentation Framework

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

21 August 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 13

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Ernst & Young LLP

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Cognizant Worldwide Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Expleo Technology UK Ltd

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Version 1 Solutions Ltd

Birmingham

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £7,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

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 in Northern Ireland

Royal Courts of justice, Chichester Street

Belfast

BT1 3JY

Country

United Kingdom