Official UK procurement notice
GAS NETWORK APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SERVICES
Authority: NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionAppointment of a suitably qualified training provider to deliver apprentice training services that support the development of a safe, competent, and future-ready operational workforce. The requirement focuses on structured apprenticeship programmes aligned to NGN's workforce planning needs, enabling progression from entry-level competence through to fully qualified operational roles within gas network activities.
The core deliverables comprise the provision of Gas Network Operative (Level 2) and Gas Network Craftsperson (Level 3) apprenticeship programmes, with an expected cohort of approximately 10-12 learners per programme. The provider must deliver fully integrated, end-to-end training pathways aligned to current apprenticeship standards, supporting progression to Mains Response Engineer status. Programmes must be delivered within a maximum duration of 24 months, with sufficient flexibility to accelerate delivery where required. The supplier will also provide supporting infrastructure including training facilities, equipment, materials, PPE, learner accommodation options, and robust reporting through an ePortfolio system and associated off-the-job training tracking.
Delivery must comply with relevant industry and apprenticeship standards, including Gas Network Operative and Gas Network Craftsperson frameworks, and incorporate required engineering and emergency competencies (e.g. NCO, SCO, NRSWA, and emergency response certifications). The provider must be registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP), be competent in managing apprenticeship levy funding via the Digital Account System, and maintain appropriate safeguarding, health and safety, and compliance policies.
The contract will support training delivery across NGN's operational geography, with providers required to demonstrate capacity to deliver within network regions and utilise suitable, compliant training environments. The procurement also supports collaboration with NGN's internal development centre and aims to establish a single, cohesive programme delivery model.
Overall, the purpose of this procurement is to secure a high-quality training partner capable of delivering consistent, compliant, and scalable apprenticeship outcomes to meet current and future workforce requirements.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 5 Jun 2026, 13:08 BST
- Last source update
- 5 Jun 2026, 13:08 BST
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-053325- Latest notice
- Transparency notice (UK5)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aeb2Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
- Published justification
Primary Ground - Single Supplier / Absence of Competition
Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (a):
A direct award may be made where goods/services can be supplied only by a particular supplier due to absence of competition for technical reasons.
Application:
- Demonstrated market failure following compliant market engagement (DfE process)
- No alternative provider capable of delivering:
o Required apprenticeship standards (GNO/GNC)
o Geographic delivery model (Northeast, block release)
o Operational alignment (gas network competency pathways)
- DfE process independently validates the gap in provision
Supporting Ground - No Reasonable Alternative or Substitute
Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 (b):
Where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists.
Application:
- Alternatives explored (6 providers) were:
o Technically non-compliant (do not deliver standards), or
o Operationally unviable (distance, delivery model)
- Substitution (e.g. non-apprenticeship routes or different standards):
o Would not meet regulatory, competency, or workforce planning requirements
Notice history
2 events · 1 release on Find a Tender · since 5 Jun 2026- Transparency notice published5 Jun 2026, 13:08 BSTUK5
- Contract signature expected8 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relyon Nutec LTD8 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2030 · up to 31 May 2034Extensions: Only extended if there continues to be no viable geographically based apprenticeship providers for this requirement beyond the initial term | £2,500,000 | — | Standstill |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Relyon Nutec LTDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender