Find a TenderAwarded without competitionTransparency notice
Published 5 Jun 2026, 13:08 BST

Official UK procurement notice

GAS NETWORK APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SERVICES

Official notice

Authority: NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED (Public body)

Direct awardUtilities
Awarded value£2,500,000published award · exc. VAT
Award in standstill Not publishedno call for competition
Award (standstill) to Relyon Nutec LTD

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Appointment 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 published

Procedure 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
North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)South East (UKJ)
+1 moreSouth West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aeb2 Find 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
  1. Transparency notice published
    5 Jun 2026, 13:08 BST
    UK5
  2. Contract signature expected
    8 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £2,500,0001 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
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

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-COH: 05167070 · GB-PPON: PRNB-9357-PVLR 1100 Century Way, Colton Leeds, Yorkshire & Humber, LS15 8TUContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Relyon Nutec LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 06115331GB-PPON: PWTY-2992-GXWJ Haverton Hill Industrial Estate, Cleveland, North East, TS23 1PZContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender