Scope
Description
National Grid is issuing this tender to invite qualified agencies to submit proposals for global corporate communications strategy and messaging, thought leadership, issues management, crisis communications, and executive visibility. The company is conducting a review of its communications agency network and is seeking a global agency lead partner. This firm will partner with National Grid's corporate communications team to help define a unifying strategy, narrative, and communications framework to optimally position the company and tell its story of industry leadership, innovation, and commitment to the future state of energy delivery to its customers.
Total value (estimated)
- £5,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2029
- 3 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
This could include issue management for key reputational issues and crisis response which could not be determined at this stage in terms of complexity and value or the right to additional purchases within the contract.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79416000 - Public relations services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- US - United States
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
22 September 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Please use the contact details provided in the expression of interest form to be registered on the e-tendering platform Ariba for electronic PQQ and tender submission.
However, for reference it will be via our internal Ariba E-Tendering system:
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 March 2028
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Technical | Quality |
| Commercial | Price |
Weighting description
The split of criteria to be weighted will be determined at PQQ stage with a commercial and technical percentage split with sub weighted criteria. At this stage we are only seeking requests to participate.
However, we anticipate the technical criteria to be split into sub criteria sections such as written and presentations which will again be split in further sub sections for weighted criteria.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
The competitive flexible procedure has been outlined in the attached 'Expression of Interest' document.
Documents
Associated tender documents
Expression of Interest - Required Information.xlsx
Expression of Interest_Global Corp Comms RFP.docx
UK NDA Template.docx
US NDA Template.doc
Contracting authority
NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED
- Companies House: 04508773
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGTR-4481-CJPQ
1-3 Strand
London
WC2N 5EH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Kayla Hanifan
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Private utility