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Published 2 Jun 2025, 10:46 BST

Official UK procurement notice

B947 (2027) Excavation, Cable Laying & Reinstatement Works

Official notice

Authority: Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (Public body)

Framework agreement6 lotsWorksCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesMax 3 lots per supplier
Framework ceiling (notional)£331,500,000total for 6 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 15 Jun 2026
Lots 6max 3 won per supplier
Framework period 4 yrsends 1 Mar 2031 · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensions · starts 2 Mar 2027

What is being bought6 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The purpose of this procurement is to appoint multiple suppliers for the Provision of Excavation, Cable Laying and Reinstatement and related services across six Lots:

Lot 1 Belfast District,

Lot 2 North District,

Lot 3 South District,

Lot 4 East District,

Lot 5 West District

Lot 6 Projects.

Lots 1-5 are geographical and Lot 6 is non-geographical.

The services within Lots 1-6 will include, but not limited to as follows::

  • The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  • Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a) Provision of New Customer Connections

b) Fault and Emergency Response

c) Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  • Management of Street works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

Possible additional activities include:

  • Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables
  • Route selection

All appointed Suppliers in Lots 1 to 5 as either Primary Supplier or Reserve Supplier will be appointed to the Framework Agreement for Lot 6.

Call off contracts for each Lot will be appointed as outlined in Appendix C - Call Off Procedure of the ITT document.

NIE Networks estimates the value of the Contract to be in the region of £331.5 million for the potential full 8 year period (inclusive of contingency).

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Mar 2034, 23:59 GMT.
  • How the procedure runs: As set out in the Procurement documents attached to the project on eSourcingNI

CPV: Ancillary works for electricity power lines · Ancillary works for pipelines and cables · Construction work · Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines · Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork · Engineering works and construction works · Excavating and earthmoving work · Excavating work · Installation of cable infrastructure · Installation of cable laying · Trench-digging work · Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Framework period
4 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 2 Mar 2027
Published description of the framework

Criteria as stated in the procurement documents

Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure

6 lots · all with a published value · win at most 3 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Belfast DistrictRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£90,400,000

Lot 1 Belfast District will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a. Provision of New Customer Connections

b. Fault and Emergency Response

c. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £90,400,000 exc. VAT · £108,480,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
Lot #2North DistrictRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£67,200,000

Lot 2 North District will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a. Provision of New Customer Connections

b. Fault and Emergency Response

c. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

.

Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £67,200,000 exc. VAT · £80,640,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
Lot #3South DistrictRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£56,000,000

Lot 3 South District will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a. Provision of New Customer Connections

b. Fault and Emergency Response

c. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £56,000,000 exc. VAT · £67,200,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
Lot #4East DistrictRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£3,120,000

Lot 4 East District will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a. Provision of New Customer Connections

b. Fault and Emergency Response

c. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. .
Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £3,120,000 exc. VAT · £37,440,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
Lot #5West DistrictRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£16,000,000

Lot 5 West District will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.)associated with:

d. Provision of New Customer Connections

e. Fault and Emergency Response

f. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £16,000,000 exc. VAT · £19,200,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
Lot #6ProjectsRenewal 4 yrsPublished value£33,600,000

Lot 6 Projects will include, but not limited to:

  1. The excavation and reinstatement of trenches and joint holes.
  2. Installation of electricity cables (33kV, 11kV, LV mains and LV service) and related equipment (including minipillars, underground distribution boxes, auxiliary cables, ducts, etc.) associated with:

a. Provision of New Customer Connections

b. Asset Installation / Replacement / Upgrade Works

  1. Cable Jointing of 33kV, 11kV, LV and Service Cables.
  2. Management of Street Works activities including signing, lighting and guarding of works to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
  • Route selection
  • LV and HV jointing from LV to 33kV.
Contract period: 2 Mar 2027 – 1 Mar 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 1 Mar 2035 with extensionsValue: £33,600,000 exc. VAT · £40,320,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion. · Framework Agreements for all Lots will be for an initial 48 month period, with two potential extension periods, each at NIE Networks’ discretion, of up to 24 months each. Alternatively, an extension may also be granted for the full 48 month period, at NIE Networks’ discretion
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 6 lots
Quality: 40%Price: 60%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Technical: 40%
  • Commercial: 60%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Technical
  • Commercial
Lot distribution rule: All appointed Suppliers (Primary and Reserve) in Lots 1 to 5 will be appointed to the Framework Agreement for Lot 6. A Supplier can submit a bid Tender Response for 1 or all or any combination of Lots (for Lots 1-5). Within Lots 1 to 5, a Supplier may be appointed as a Primary Supplier (1st place) in a maximum of 2 Lots (1-5). A Supplier can (subject to the below) be appointed as a Reserve Supplier in a maximum of 2 Lots (of Lots 1 to 5). If a Supplier is appointed to 2 Lots (of Lots 1 to 5) as a Primary Supplier, they can only be appointed as a Reserve Supplier in one additional Lot (of Lots 1 to 5). All Primary Suppliers appointed to a Framework Agreement for Lots 1-5 and all Reserve Suppliers for Lots 1 to 5 will be appointed to a Framework Agreement for Lot 6 and will be invited and expected to participate in Lot 6 Competitive Selection Procedures in accordance with the Call-off Procedure.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot3
  • Economic & financial standing

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    As stated in the procurement documents

  • Condition of participation

    Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

    shortlisting
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • “B947 (2027) Excavation, Cable Laying & Reinstatement Works” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Works
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Mar 2034
First published
2 Jun 2025, 10:46 BST
Last source update
14 May 2026, 14:51 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 1 Feb 2027
Authority reference
B947 (2027)
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-044435
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Ancillary works for electricity power linesAncillary works for pipelines and cablesConstruction workConstruction work for pipelines, communication and power linesConstruction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatworkEngineering works and construction worksExcavating and earthmoving workExcavating workInstallation of cable infrastructureInstallation of cable laying
+2 moreTrench-digging workWorks for complete or part construction and civil engineering work
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052a61 Find a Tender
How it runs

As set out in the Procurement documents attached to the project on eSourcingNI

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Jaggaer · Who buys & how to bid on JAGGAER
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free; latest Chrome/Edge/Firefox only — corporate browsers fail
Requests to participate (first stage)
15 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Appointment period ends
15 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

2 Jun 2025 → 2 Mar 2027 · 6 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    2 Jun 2025, 10:46 BST
  2. Market engagement
    16 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST

    Interested parties should register their interest and attendance via eSourcing NI (as below) by 5.00pm on Wednesday 11th June 2025 providing the name(s) and contact email addresses of who will attend. Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of 3 attendees per organization. Registration for the PME briefing event(s) shall only be through eSourcing NI.

    pqq_4665 has been created on eSourcing NI where parties can register their interest to attend the session via the secure messaging function. Upon receipt of Suppliers' Expressions of Interest, we will provide additional information with further instructions on how to participate in the PME Briefing Event.

    The PME briefing event shall consist of a presentation by NIE Networks Ltd (consisting of an overview of requirements, objectives, proposed approach to the forthcoming procurement and anticipated timelines), with an opportunity afterwards for interested parties to raise clarification questions. Interested parties should note that any questions regarding the content of the PME briefing event or procurement process raised in advance of the PME briefing event through eSourcing NI will not be responded to by NIE Networks Ltd.

    Please note that NIE Networks Ltd will be conducting this PME exercise in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency. To that end, it is important to stress that the structure, specification and all other aspects of the procurement will not be designed to give direct or indirect advantage to any interested party and all information concerning the forthcoming procurement will be disseminated to all interested parties.

    It is important to note that this PME Notice and the PME briefing event do not constitute a call for competition, selection process or a current tender opportunity. This PME Notice has been produced solely for the purpose of conducting a pre-market engagement exercise. All interested parties will need to express a formal interest in any future tender opportunity in due course once a contract notice (as appropriate) is published.

    NIE Networks Ltd welcomes interest from all interested parties. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PME Notice or the PME briefing event. Participation or non-participation in the PME exercise shall not prevent any interested parties from participating in any subsequent procurement exercise.

    All information shared with interested parties as part of the PME exercise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a copy of the PME presentation and any questions and answers provided) will be made available to all parties that express an interest in participating in any subsequent procurement exercise. For the avoidance of doubt however, NIE Networks Ltd will not disclose any specific comments or feedback provided by any interested party, nor the identity of any party that chose to take part in the PME process.

    NIE Networks Ltd may, at its absolute discretion, consider any questions or feedback provided during the PME exercise in finalising its procurement strategy, procurement process and/or any aspects of the procurement. NIE Networks Ltd also reserves the right to request additional information from any interested party in relation to any question raised or feedback provided as part of the PME exercise.

    The information provided in this PME Notice and as part of the PME exercise is preliminary in nature and is subject to amendment/updating by NIE Networks Ltd. No reliance may be placed by any party on the information contained in this PME Notice or provided as part of the PME exercise and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made in relation to such information.

  3. Tender notice published161 days ago
    14 May 2026, 14:51 BST
  4. Admission / appointment period ends129 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    15 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
  5. Today
    22 Oct 2026
  6. Award decision expected byin 103 days
    1 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
  7. Contract startsin 131 days
    2 Mar 2027

Notice history

5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Jun 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    2 Jun 2025, 10:46 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    14 May 2026, 14:51 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value published: £331,500,000
    14 May 2026, 14:51 BST
  4. Status changed to active
    14 May 2026, 14:51 BST
  5. Procurement method changed
    14 May 2026, 14:51 BST

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

Contracting authorityPrivate utilityNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-COH: NI026041 120 Malone Road, Belfast, UK, BT9 5HTContact email

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specificationstenderBidding documents and specificationsAccess: eSourcingNI is NIE Networks’ chosen electronic tendering portal for this Procurement and documents can be found within the project pqq_4722 - B947 (2027) Excavation, Cable Laying & Reinstatement Works, on the following website - https://e-sourcingni.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web

Notices published for this procedure