Construction Contract Leads
East Midlands
Category Works
Type
No. of Lots 1
Status Active
Published 31st Mar 2026
| Reference | ocds-h6vhtk-067831 |
| Common Procurement Vocabulary | Installation of cable laying |
| Procurement Method | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Value | £80,000,000 |
East Midlands
Category Works
Type
No. of Lots 1
Status Active
Published 31st Mar 2026
| Reference | ocds-h6vhtk-067831 |
| Common Procurement Vocabulary | Installation of cable laying |
| Procurement Method | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Value | £80,000,000 |
Changes to notice
This notice has been edited. The previous version is still available.
Clarification of Tendering Entities and Subsidiary companies within he National Grid UK Limited Group.
Scope
Reference
WS5607093027
Description
The contracting entity for this framework is National Grid UK Limited, but will be available for use by any of the Group subsidiary companies within the National Grid UK Limited Group. This includes, but is not limited to National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Grid Ventures, National Grid Electricity Distribution East Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution West Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution South West and National Grid Electricity Distribution South Wales.
The successful framework contractor will be required to carry out the full installation of 66kV, 132kV and/or lower voltage cable circuits and associated earth wires / continuity conductors and NGED Telecom ducts inclusive of all jointing, testing and commissioning as specified for the individual route/project being tendered for.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
A series of frameworks with substantially the same terms. Awarded suppliers are carried over and new suppliers can bid.
Total value (estimated)
- 拢80,000,000 excluding VAT
- 拢96,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 29 May 2026 to 28 May 2027
- Possible extension to 28 May 2028
- 2 years
Description of possible extension:
Extension up to 12 months.
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45314310 - Installation of cable laying
Contract locations
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
29 May 2028
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Full installation of 66kV, 132kV and/or lower voltage cable circuits and associated earth wires/continuity conductors and NGED Telecom ducts inclusive of all jointing, testing and commissioning as specified for the individual route/project being tendered for. All works will be in accordance with NGED policies and procedures.
All bonding systems shall comply with Electricity Network Association (ENA) Engineering Recommendation C.55/4.
All ducts used shall be as specified in NGED Policy and Procedures.
Testing & commissioning of the cable circuits shall be as specified in NGED Policy and Procedures.
The successful Contractor may be required to carry out design works as part of an installation contract, or as a separate instruction as required. This may be in the form of 'Cable System Design' or 'Cable Route Design'. Details of design requirements shall be specified for the individual route/project being tendered for.
Design work should take into consideration the best method of Ducting/Cable install work via Open Cut or Cable Ploughing methods dependant on Project-by-Project requirement.
The cable type, route length and any constraints / limitations will be specified for the individual route being tendered for.
The cable specification will be issued on a job-by-job basis
The route details shall be as specified for the individual route being tendered for. A detailed route survey may or may not be supplied at the invitation to tender stage.
Along the cable route there could be various 'Special Engineering Difficulties' (SED's) as specified on the individual route being tendered for. The tenderer is to allow for crossing all the SED's along the cable route with proposed methodology, including the install via HDD and designs for any shallow installs proposed to overcome SED's.
Allowance shall be made in programme for 3rd party agreement of crossing respective SEDs shall be as specified, unless alternatively specified by the cable manufacturer or on a project by project basis.
The successful contractor may be required to carry out decommissioning works. This shall be specified for the individual route/project being tendered for. All decommissioning works shall be as specified in NGED Policy and Procedures (NGED ST: CA9)
The contractor may be required to install telecommunication ducts and chambers. This shall be as specified in NGED Policy and Procedures.
The successful contractor will be fully responsible for liaising and co-ordinating with the relevant Highway Authority and the NGED "Streetworks" team with regards to all opening notice applications, traffic management requirements, parking restrictions, road closures, permit schemes etc. Opening notices and permit applications will be submitted by the contractor via the NGED "Streetworks" team.
The contractor will be responsible for the full resolution of all NRSWA defects, Section 74 fines and any other NRSWA issues associated with their works.
The successful contractor shall be responsible for liaison & consultation with all key stakeholders, including but not limited to the local Highway Authorities, private landowners, local residents (including neighbourhood groups), local schools, local businesses, bus companies, etc throughout the project. This may involve out of hours meetings/presentations and publicity publications.
The successful contractor shall also be responsible for notifying the above in writing giving sufficient notice of the works commencement with relevant out of hours contact details.
The Contractor should include a programme of the proposed works as part of his tender submission for each individual project. This should clearly break out key activities and milestones for the project and be submitted in a PDF and Microsoft Project format.
For confirmation the Client will require a contract programme to be developed and submitted by the successful Contractor following the Contract Award for each individual project for the acceptance of NGEDs nominated person. The programme will need to be updated and maintained on a monthly basis and shall indicate the critical path and the impact of all agreed variations to the programme. The programme is to be provided in PDF and Microsoft Project format.
The Contractor should include a payment profile against a proposed Programme of Works. The successful Contractor should submit Applications for Payments against the profile in a timely manner.
National Grid Electricity Distribution will either supply free issue materials for projects, or require the contractors to provide as part of their tender offer - the decision to be at NGED's discretion. Any free issue materials will be clearly specified under the heading 'Free Issue Materials' on a project by project basis. All other materials necessary for the full installation, jointing, testing commissioning, decommissioning or completion of the project scope of works, not identified under the heading 'Free Issue Materials' are to be allowed for and supplied by the contractor.
All free issue materials will be delivered to the successful contractors secure store/site.
The contractor will be required to co-ordinate the delivery of the free issue materials with the supplier as part of the requirements of the works. The contractor must therefore confirm with the supplier as soon as possible, the required section lengths, quantities etc.
Any materials not supplied by NGED must be in compliance with the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (HAUC) 1992.
The contractor shall be responsible for inspecting all NGED 'free issue materials' for quality and suitability in adequate time for rectification.
Storage and site office: The contractor will need to propose and secure a suitable site/s from which to carry out the works.
The Contractor should indicate the hours and days of the week they expect their staff to carry out the works in his response to each individual invitation to tender. This resource plan should include but not be limited to gangs and management staff and indicate the percentage of each week that they will be working on each individual project. This plan should align with the programme submitted in the tender for that project and be updated in line with the monthly programme.
The successful contractor shall allow provision for a secure location to store the all materials. Suitable and appropriate security shall be allowed for by the contractor to ensure the security of all materials whilst stored at this location and at remote work sites during the installation of all materials/cable and accessories. Suitable and appropriate security shall also be provided by the contractor to ensure the security of NGED's network while it is at risk from open excavations or reduced security as a result of the works. Until the time it is energised it will be the responsibility of the successful contactor and security provisions and insurance should be allowed for.
For all 66kV, 132kV and lower voltages cable routes, copper pilots and NGED Telecom duct route installations, the Contractor will produce a set of CAD as-built records, plus 2 sets of paper copies, based on the relevant Ordnance Survey maps, and 1 set of electronic copies, of the aforementioned records, in pdf format, of 'As Built' line diagrams drawn to ENATS 09-02 standard. These drawings will be ready for hand- over to NGED no more than 4 weeks after the cable has been laid.
The cable route records shall be developed as the duct laying proceeds. Interim submissions to the NGED records team, shall be made to allow the NGED records team to be preparing the route as the duct laying proceeds to reduce the work load at the end.
The rates are deemed to include for complying with the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the latest edition of the Code of Practice 'The Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways'. (The Specification).
The rates are also deemed to include for complying with the 'Traffic Management Act 2004' and all associated secondary legislation and codes of practice.
Road types are as defined by the Highway Authority. The road types encountered will be specified on the individual road summary sheet(s) provided on a project-by-project basis.
Recording the works will be, as laid down in the latest edition of National Grid Electricity Distribution, 'Basic Recording Techniques and Procedures'.
The Contractor is to provide an 'all-in rate' for the complete works.
Road types are defined above.
All Excavation, Cable Laying and Reinstatement Works shall be in accordance with Standard Technique CA6A.
The definitions of footways and verges are as those set out in HAUC specifications.
The rates shall include for all costs in connection with protecting the works.
The rates shall include for all costs in connection with bringing to, maintaining on and removing from site all plant necessary for the permanent and temporary work.
(Full details of the scope can be viewed once Expression of Interest to Participate is confirmed).
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Submission
Enquiry deadline
30 April 2026, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
30 April 2026, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
To be submitted via National Grid's Ariba eSourcing platform. Full details of how to participate will be shared once National Grid receive requests to participate.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
No
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
29 May 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Quality | 70% |
| Commercial | Price | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
1. Declare interest to Participate
2. Receipt of Tender Documentation (via Ariba)
3. Return of Tender Documentation (via Ariba)
4. Evaluation of initial submissions
5. Negotiation (if required)
6. Tender Award (following Standstill period)
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
The Tender Pack will be provided on our e鈥憈endering platform (Ariba)
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: Janette McElroy
Telephone: +447872032616
Email: Janette.McElroy [at] nationalgrid.com
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Private utility
