Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract award notice
Published 4 Mar 2026, 13:23 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Project Shared - Alpha Phase

Official notice

Authority: UK POWER NETWORKS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED

Direct awardUtilities
Sectors: Research & Development (R&D) (73) Delivery: Delivery location not published
Awarded value£562,562published award · exc. VAT
Award in standstill 2 Mar 2026no call for competition
Award (standstill) to Frazer-Nash Consultancy Limited, THE FIRST ELEMENT GROUP LTD

What is being bought

Published requirement description

UK Power Networks (Operations) Limited intends to enter into a collaboration with The First Element Group Limited and Frazer‑Nash Consultancy Limited for the delivery of the Alpha Phase of Project SHARED, funded under Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).

The project aims to evaluate whether hydrogen-based resilience solutions can provide a cost‑effective alternative to traditional reinforcement in rural areas where electricity supply interruptions are prevalent. The work involves identifying viable hydrogen technologies, developing engineering concepts, undertaking network simulations, assessing stakeholder needs, and producing evidence to support potential future demonstrations. Services will be delivered collaboratively by the three Project Partners, each responsible for specific work packages defined in the Project Plan. Work will be carried out through workshops, design activities, laboratory testing, engineering analysis, stakeholder engagement, and preparation of formal reports. Each partner will appoint a project manager and participate in monthly reporting, joint reviews, and progress meetings.

The total estimated value of the Alpha Phase is

£562,562, comprising:

  • UK Power Networks (Operations) Limited: £122,330 total costs
  • The First Element Group Limited: £155,700 total

costs

  • Frazer‑Nash Consultancy Limited: £284,532 total

costs

Ofgem SIF funding sought amounts to £499,526, with the remaining £63,036 provided as partner contributions in accordance with the funding rules.

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
4 Mar 2026, 13:23 GMT
Last source update
16 Mar 2026, 16:53 GMT
Authority reference
CW17327
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-023733
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Delivery area
Not published
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-066206 Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Prototypes Development
Published justification

Prototypes and development

The following conditions under Schedule 5 of PA23 apply:

Paragraph 2(C) - other research, experiment, study or development

This phase involves a research study aimed at developing technology in collaboration with partners. It is not expected to generate monetary value.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

16 Mar 2026 → 26 Mar 2026 · 2 dates
  1. Notice published219 days ago
    16 Mar 2026, 16:53 GMT
  2. Standstill ends209 days ago
    26 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Mar 2026
  1. Transparency notice published
    4 Mar 2026, 13:23 GMT
    UK5
  2. Contract award notice published
    16 Mar 2026, 16:53 GMT
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    27 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £562,5621 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Frazer-Nash Consultancy Limited, THE FIRST ELEMENT GROUP LTDjoint award27 Mar 2026 – 27 Dec 2026£562,5622 Mar 2026standstill to 26 Mar 2026Standstill

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

UK POWER NETWORKS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-COH: 03870728 · GB-PPON: PGGV-9992-RNGD Newington House, 237 Southwark Bridge Road, London, London, SE1 6NPContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

2 commercial parties on the notice
  • FRAZER-NASH CONSULTANCY LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 02562870GB-PPON: PVXN-4166-QPYR Hill Park Court, Leatherhead, South East, KT22 7NLContact email
  • THE FIRST ELEMENT GROUP LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 13779822GB-PPON: PZTV-7559-YTZX 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, London, N1 7GUContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender