Official UK procurement notice
Expression of Interest for Website MSP and potential redesign and development of Website
Authority: NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionAs part of this preliminary market engagement, NGN is seeking high‑level, non‑binding indicative information to understand the potential order of magnitude of costs associated with delivering the proposed scope. Any cost information provided is for market‑understanding purposes only, will not be used for supplier selection or evaluation, and will not confer any advantage in any future procurement process.
We will be looking for a digital agency who will work closely with NGN, offering advice and support to drive improvements in the short and long term. They will be asked to deliver the NGN Website Project in two stages, each stage will probably be under threshold;
Stage 1
The first stage will be working closely with NGN project team to help make tactical improvements to the current NGN website. NGN is already working on a content audit, updating and removing outdated content, improving user experience, and bolstering under promoted areas such as sustainability and HR. These improvements will feed into this process of short-term change.
Key deliverables from this first phase will include;
- Hosting and infrastructure
- Uptime monitoring
- Platform performance optimisation
- Security monitoring
- Back ups
- Improved SEO
- Clearer Navigation
- Application platform readiness
Stage 2
The second stage is focused on strategic input to support the process of longer term change to the NGN website delivery, ultimately leading to the design and build of a new main NGN website. NGN expect the chosen agency to provide a strategic partnership, where the partnership shows clear value, direction and class leading strategic thinking. We expect the chosen agency to have demonstrable skills and knowledge in the areas of user centric research and design, accessibility, and mobile first thinking (reflecting the 75% of our current users preference for mobile access to our services and support).
The Scope of work for a new website could include:
- Website research, design and development
- New modern and responsive content management system (CMS)
- SEO/GEO set up
- Accessibility compliance
- Integration with third-party systems (e.g CRM, payment gateways, analytics tools)
- Support and maintenance of the website portfolio
- Training and documentation for internal teams
CPV: IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedPipeline intelligence · planning stage: how this market runs before the tender is published
How NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED buys IT services: consulting, software, internet (CPV 72), and who usually turns up
NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are kept out: they attract a different number of bids. Whole-market view: IT services: consulting, software, internet (CPV 72) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered outside the delivery region.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 152 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
The buyer’s share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1Estimate not published
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 790 past lots.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid12%
2–328%
4–628%
7+32%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Planned procurement
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 Mar 2026, 12:03 GMT
- Last source update
- 23 Mar 2026, 12:03 GMT
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-026203- Latest notice
- Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-067142Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
23 Mar 2026 → 1 Sept 2026 · 4 dates- Planning notice published213 days ago23 Mar 2026, 12:03 GMT
- Market engagement170 days ago5 May 2026, 23:59 BST
Scope of Requirements
Overview
As we embark on our next regulatory period, known as RIIO GD3 (2026 - 2031) NGN is looking to identify a partner who can deliver a fully managed website service and potential wholesale design and rebuild of the platform.
As a major infrastructure provider, our website performs a critical public facing function; it must deliver clear, reliable information to diverse audiences, support operational communications, and remain available and secure under all circumstances.
Our approach recognises the website not simply as a communications channel, but as a mission critical digital service that must meet the highest standards of resilience, usability and accessibility.
The newly appointed digital agency will work closely with NGN, offering advice and support to drive improvements in the short and long term. They will be asked to deliver the NGN Website Project in two stages;
Stage 1
The first stage will be working closely with NGN project team to help make tactical improvements to the current NGN website. NGN is already working on a content audit, updating and removing outdated content, improving user experience, and bolstering under promoted areas such as sustainability and HR. These improvements will feed into this process of short-term change.
Key deliverables from this first phase will include;
- Hosting and infrastructure
- Uptime monitoring
- Platform performance optimisation
- Security monitoring
- Back ups
- Improved SEO
- Clearer Navigation
- Application platform readiness
Stage 2
The second stage is focused on strategic input to support the process of longer term change to the NGN website delivery, ultimately leading to the design and build of a new main NGN website. NGN expect the chosen agency to provide a strategic partnership, where the partnership shows clear value, direction and class leading strategic thinking. We expect the chosen agency to have demonstrable skills and knowledge in the areas of user centric research and design, accessibility, and mobile first thinking (reflecting the 75% of our current users preference for mobile access to our services and support).
The Scope of work for a new website could include:
- Website research, design and development
- New modern and responsive content management system (CMS)
- SEO/GEO set up
- Accessibility compliance
- Integration with third-party systems (e.g CRM, payment gateways, analytics tools)
- Support and maintenance of the website portfolio
- Training and documentation for internal teams
Background
The existing main website (www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk ↗) was built in 2017 and is no longer fully aligned with our business needs. The WordPress powered website serves as a comprehensive resource for customers, stakeholders, and the general public, offering information and services related to gas distribution in the North of England.
Key features of the current website include:
- Gas Connections: Users can apply for new gas connections, alterations, diversions, and disconnections. The site provides detailed guidance on each process, including necessary forms and contact information for the Connections Team. Audiences are able to pay for specific services online, using the Payments Portal that is referenced in the table below.
- Gas Safety Information: The website offers essential safety advice, such as steps to take if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide.
- Priority Services Register: NGN provides extra support for customers who may be vulnerable during gas supply interruptions. Eligible individuals can register for this service through the website.
- In Your Area: This section allows users to find information about ongoing and upcoming gas works in their locality, helping them stay informed about projects that may affect them.
- Company Information: The "About Us" section details NGN's operations, coverage area, and company values, providing insights into our role in the energy sector.
- Latest News: The homepage features recent news articles and updates about NGN's activities, community initiatives, and infrastructure projects.
Overall, the NGN website is designed to be user-friendly and informative, ensuring that customers have easy access to the services and information they need regarding gas distribution and safety. The website demonstrates a commitment to accessibility by incorporating features designed to assist users with diverse needs. It includes the Recite Me tool, which offers functionalities such as text-to-speech, text magnification, screen masking, and a reading ruler to aid individuals with conditions like dyslexia or mild visual impairments, as well as those for whom English is a second language. Additionally, the website's content is structured to be readable across various browsers, even when images, stylesheets, scripting, or plugins are not supported, ensuring broader accessibility.
However, the current website is overly complex to navigate and lacks clear UX/UI. This structural complexity is also reflected in the WordPress content management. Our web team have issues with the lack of flexibility and level of control over content updates. The internal search functionality also has limited capabilities and the website is not set up for GEO optimisation.
NGN Situation Analysis
There are several other websites that form part of NGN's digital presence. As part of this project, some of the content on these websites will be incorporated into the main website. Others will need to continue to be hosted and managed as standalone websites.
For further details please contact Deborah Turner - Procurement Manager by e mailing [email protected] to express your interest.
- Tender notice expected143 days ago1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts52 days ago1 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Preliminary market engagement notice published23 Mar 2026, 12:03 GMTUK2
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender