100670 Sellindge Pathfinder Connection

The Works are strictly necessary to continue the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure upgrades as part of the ongoing enhancement of the grid. By bringing on the replacement contractor almost immediately through this direct award, National Grid is seeking to minimise and mitigate the delay to the Works arising from the administration of GTDS and maintain continuity of the supply chain and otherwise secure continuity on site. National Grid intends to have the contract in place before the end of January 2026, so within 2 weeks of GTDS' administration. While some earlier contingency planning was possible, National Grid could not reasonably have commenced a competitive tendering procedure before GTDS' administration was confirmed and there is no time to run such a procedure between the date of administration and the required into-contract date.

The urgency is unavoidable as it is attributable solely to the administration of GTDS which could not have been foreseen when the Works were allocated to GTDS and was not confirmed until 16 January.

National Grid has explored other alternatives to this direct award, including the use of its existing frameworks and allocation through its construction dynamic purchasing system, but no other route was found to be suitable in the circumstances