Major Projects QUDM · UK public procurement notice

This QUDM is for Substation Construction, Underground Cabling, Overhead Tower Line Construction, Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction and Civils works, all primarily from 33kV to 132kV.

In addition to the requirements of National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the Contracting Authority reserves the right for other National Grid group companies to procure works and services through this QUDM. This may include, but is not limited to, the delivery of substation, underground cable and overhead line construction works associated with transmission and distribution network infrastructure. No minimum volume of work is guaranteed in respect of such requirements.

Once established, this QUDM may be used to tender the Major Projects Partnership, NGED's principal delivery framework for third-party construction services in ED3.

ED3 (Electricity Distribution 3) refers to the next five-year electricity distribution price control period (2028-2033), set by Ofgem, which will determine how distribution network operators (DNOs) plan and invest in Britain's electricity system. It is important because it will shape the scale, pace and delivery of network upgrades needed to support growing demand, connect new generation, and enable the transition to low carbon technologies, while ensuring services remain reliable, affordable, and responsive to customer needs. Delivery will involve close collaboration with key partners, who will play a vital role in enabling investment in infrastructure, innovation and network resilience to meet the needs of customers and communities over the coming period.

Substation Construction

• Works under Substation Construction comprise of the following indicative list, specific to working within a live high-voltage (primarily 33 to 132kV) distribution network substation environment, with a typical project estimated between £200,000 and £5million:
• New Build AIS/GIS.
• AIS/GIS substation extension.
• Major AIS/GIS substation asset replacement.
• Protection and control systems installation, configuration and commissioning.
• Mechanical and electrical installation, testing and commissioning
• Contractors may be required to procure from NGED pre-approved supplier lists, accept free-issue equipment, or accept novation of contracts placed by NGED (e.g. power transformers, protection and control, GIS, AIS, consumables).
• These works will be awarded on a regional basis, split between the four DNO licence areas of NGED.

Overhead Tower Line Construction

• Works under Overhead Tower Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Tower Overhead Line Construction works with typical project estimated between £500,000 and £20million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV):
• Supply or collect free-issue towers and install to NGED specification.
• Electrical works for new and replacement overhead tower construction.
• These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally.

Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction

• Works under Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Wood Pole Line Construction works (primarily 33 to 132kV) with typical project estimated between £50,000 and £2million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works:
• Supply or collect free-issue wood poles and install to NGED specification.
• Electrical works for new and replacement overhead wood pole construction.
• These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally.

Underground Cabling

• Works under Underground Cabling comprise of the following illustrative list for Underground Cabling Construction works with typical project estimated between £200,000 and £10million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV):
• Cable jointing up to 132kV (client-issued and non-client-issued materials).
• Temporary works design for jointing techniques
• Cable pulling: access, trenches, duct installation, jointing, testing, backfilling, installation.
• Cable removal: buried HV cable and associated above-ground equipment (terminations, oil tanks, kiosks, foundations).
• These works will be awarded on a regional basis, split between the four DNO licence areas of NGED.

Civils

• Works under Civils comprise of the following illustrative list for Civils works with typical project estimated between £100k to £5 million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV):
• Modification, demolition, dismantling, foundations, fencing, interceptors, drainage, roads, trenching, excavation, cable ducts within existing substations.
• Associated building maintenance (roofs, redecoration, joinery, guttering, glazing, trench covers, doors/gates).
• Specialist works for environmental protection (flooding, wind, humidity).

Multi-Disciplinary Works

• These works are designed to allow Contractors to offer more than one service from the above areas as a package of works and covers the requirements of all the above works.
• Contractors may be awarded works that covers two or more of the work required in Overhead Line - Tower, Overhead Line - Wood Pole, Substation and Underground Cable.
• These works will typically include the largest and most complex of NGED's projects.
• These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally.

Scope generally applicable to all work categories

Design

• Outline and detailed design (construction, maintenance, temporary works, electrical safety), including drawings and technical reporting for planning/consent and construction information.
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM 2015 and appoint Principal Designer Representative as required.
• Review System Design Specification and prior design works for gaps, limitations and restrictions.
• Discharge planning/consent conditions into detailed design
• Manage design change with version control, and coordinate across disciplines to reduce interface risk.
• Eliminate hazards so far as reasonably practicable and reflect NGED environmental and sustainability requirements.

Surveys

• Plan, deliver and report all lifecycle surveys, including site walkover, borehole, soil, intrusive (e.g. foundation), existing asset and utility surveys.

Project, programme and site management

• Act as Principal Contractor under CDM 2015.
• Deliver works to NGED Management of Works procedures and all applicable standards.
• Manage safety, quality, security and environmental compliance
• Maintain site records, document control and a safe/secure site
• Deploy sufficient competent resources.

Enabling and site establishment

• Welfare compounds, fencing, security, temporary utilities, reinstatement on completion.
• Highway and service diversions, ground preparation and remediation, flood mitigation, soil stripping, bridge construction, permits and licences, environmental mitigation.

Stakeholder and consents

• Liaise with landowners, grantors, statutory bodies and undertakers (Local Highways Authority, Network Rail, Environment Agency, DNOs).
• Coordinate with Lands Team for survey access and support S172 evidence.
• Support consultation materials, attend and present at events, input to Consultation Report, liaise with Consents Integrator
• Support Client at technical stakeholder meetings and liaise with Client operational and project delivery teams.

Other works

• Procurement and supply chain management.
• Subcontractor management.
• Temporary and permanent access design and provision.
• Temporary works design, management and provision.
• Traffic management.
• Landscaping.
• Maintenance for the period agreed in planning/consent or with stakeholders, including Biodiversity Net Gain obligations.
• In order to support communications needs on the electricity distribution network, the installation of Telecoms ducts, chambers and Fibre Optic cable may be required alongside the HV cable installations. Telecoms ducts and chambers must comply with Standard Techniques CA6A, TC3a and TC3B.
• Communications tower construction may also be required, comprising of a square base for a radio tower, generator base and associated ducts and chambers, cable management, earthing and fencing as required.