Official UK procurement notice
NBI Energy Centre - CHP Engines - Next Generation Infrastructure Programme
Authority: JOHN INNES CENTRE (Public body)·On behalf of: AECOM LIMITED
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThis package of works forms part of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) Programme, a funded development programme looking to develop the facilities across Norwich Research Park to transform the existing capabilities of John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), both internally recognised centres of excellence in plant and microbial science. NGI will address the deterioration of infrastructure at JIC and TSL to create a world-class facility that will engage with its surroundings, is outward looking and promotes collaboration and innovation to supercharge JIC and TSL's ability to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions.
As part of the NGI Programme, JIC sought, on behalf of the Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI), to procure the services of a specialist supplier for the proposed design, supply, installation and ongoing service provision associated with a Combined Heat and Power system (CHP Engines) within the new NBI Energy Centre located at JIC.
This has been carried out as a two stage tendering process where:
(i) At Stage One: proposed procurement for the design of the CHP engines through a pre construction services agreement; and
(ii) At Stage Two: proposed procurement for the supply, installation and ongoing service provision through a construction contract (JCT Design and Build 2024 with client amends) and a service agreement following completion of the design in Stage One.
This notice relates to the entry into a pre-construction services agreement for Stage One.
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
- Standard
- 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
- 24 Jun 2026, 16:10 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Jul 2026, 13:26 BST
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-064200- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bc7eFind a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Switching Direct Award
- Published justification
Two competitive tendering processes have been carried out for this project under section 19 of the Procurement Act 2023 without any suitable tenders returned. Both processes were for the same scope of works (design, supply, installation and ongoing service provision associated with a Combined Heat and Power system (CHP), the project). Seven tender returns were received in the first process, with two suppliers meeting the technical requirements for the project but all suppliers failing to meet the overall tender requirements. One tender return was received in the second process which failed to meet the technical requirements by a small margin.
The technical requirements for the project have been driven by the external constraints identified by UK Power Networks (UKPN) as part of the G99 application process, primarily the fault level contribution of the CHP. These requirements cannot be changed. It is therefore acknowledged that following market feedback through the previous competitive tendering processes, and engagement with UKPN, the project requires a particular technical solution that may not align with the wider market's existing supply chains.
Consequently, JIC approached 2G Energy Ltd with a view to proposing to switch the second competitive process to a direct award. Even though 2G Energy Ltd were unsuccessful in both competitive tendering processes, they were the only supplier that returned tenders in both processes and in the second process, were very close to meeting the technical requirements for the project (2% over the fault levels required to meet the UKPN parameters). 2G Energy Ltd have subsequently demonstrated that they can meet these technical requirements through a change in alternator model proposed for the technical solution. They have also demonstrated the relevant capability to deliver the project as tendered from a design, installation and maintenance perspective through the confirmation of a project team with the relevant experience and expertise. On this basis, JIC has decided to progress to a direct award with 2G Energy Ltd to deliver the project via a two-stage process.
- Replaces an unsuccessful procedure NBI Energy Centre - CHP Engines - Next Generation Infrastructure Programme
Notice history
6 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Jun 2026- Transparency notice published24 Jun 2026, 16:10 BSTUK5
- Contract award notice published24 Jun 2026, 16:27 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected7 Jul 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published8 Jul 2026, 13:26 BSTUK7
- Contract signature expected16 Mar 2027, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract signature expected14 Jan 2028, 23:59 GMTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2G Energy LtdPre Construction Services Agreement7 Jul 2026 – 15 Mar 2027 | £747,149 | 24 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| 2G Energy LtdDesign and Build Construction Contract5 Apr 2027 – 14 Jan 2028 | £3,075,102 | — | Standstill |
| 2G Energy LtdServices Agreement14 Jan 2028 – 14 Jan 2030 · up to 14 Jan 2038Extensions: JIC shall have the option to extend the term twice up to 4 years for each extension and up to maximum extension of 8 years to the initial term (i.e. the Service Agreement cannot exceed a term of 10 years from the Commencement Date). Any extensions shall be on the same terms as the original Service Agreement other than: a) in extension 1, the option to extend will be limited to one further extension up to 4 years; and b) in extension 2 (if any), there will be no option to extend the term. Option to extend is exercisable on 2 months' notice, which is to be served to the Contractor at least 6 months prior to the expiry of the then current term. | £3,353,600 | — | Standstill |
Contracts
Contract 1 · 2G Energy Ltd
- Signed
- 8 Jul 2026
- Value
- £747,149
- Period
- 8 Jul 2026 – 15 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
No agreed KPIs: Contract value is below £5 million.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- AECOM LIMITEDProcess contact pointProcuring entityCost and Procurement Manager
- TURNER & TOWNSEND PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIMITEDProcuring entityProject Manager
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- 2G ENERGY LTD.Awarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender