Tender for Audit Services: National Energy System Operator

{
  "id": "037458-2024",
  "tag": [
    "tenderUpdate"
  ],
  "date": "2024-11-20T09:40:59Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04b588",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
    "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "Tender for Audit Services: National Energy System Operator 001",
    "title": "Tender for Audit Services: National Energy System Operator",
    "amendments": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "description": "ORIGINAL DATE II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice 16 December 2025\nCHANGES TO II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice\n17 December 2024\nFor the avoidance of doubt, this is the date for the next stage of the process \"Call for Competition\" NOT Contract Award Notice.",
        "unstructuredChanges": [
          {
            "where": {
              "label": "Estimated date of publication of contract notice",
              "section": "II.3"
            },
            "newValue": {
              "date": "2024-12-17"
            },
            "oldValue": {
              "date": "2025-12-16"
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "National Energy System Operator (NESO) makes sure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. \nThe UK's 2023 Energy Act established an independent system planner and operator to help accelerate Great Britain's energy transition; creating NESO.\nNESO is built on our previous experience as the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), where we had extensive expertise in balancing electricity supply and demand 24/7, whilst making sure the networks we operated and the markets we served were prepared for the future.\n NESO was sold by National Grid to the UK Government on 1st October 2024 , becoming a public sector organisation from this date. We require comprehensive financial audit services compliant with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI). The objective is to ensure NESO's financial, performance, and regulatory operations are conducted with transparency, accountability, and efficiency. This specification provides the framework for the required audit services, including scope, planning, reporting, accountability, and SLAs.\n________________________________________\n4. Scope of Services (Detailed)\nThe audit firm is responsible for delivering the following detailed services:\nFinancial Audit\no\tProvide reasonable assurance over NESO's financial records in accordance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS ). \no\tVerify  that financial statements are free from material misstatements due to fraud, error, or irregularities.\no\tEvaluate internal financial controls, focusing on risks associated with financial misreporting, operational inefficiencies, or compliance failures.\no\tProvide an audit opinion on the true and fair representation of NESO's financial position, performance, and cash flow.\no\tConduct testing of key accounts to provide reasonable assurance over the financial assertions.\no\tUpdate NESO leadership and Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) regarding relevant changes in legislation and regulation. \no\tReport on external audit progress to NESO leadership, including attendance at bi-monthly ARC meetings and other board or committee meetings as required. \no\tProvide guidance to NESO leadership in particular the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), chair of ARC, director of financial control, and the accounting & reporting lead on accounting and financial matters.\no\tLiaise and coordinate with the CFO, director of financial control and accounting & reporting lead via a monthly progress meeting to ensure full exchange of information.\no\tProduce an annual SOC1 report evaluating the effectiveness of NESO financial controls in relation to transmission revenue charging, for external distribution to UK transmission owners, including National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).",
    "classification": {
      "id": "79212000",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Auditing services"
    },
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
      "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ11",
        "locality": "WOKINGHAM",
        "postalCode": "RG415BN",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "St. Catherines Lodge"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.neso.energy/",
        "buyerProfile": "https://www.neso.energy/"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
        "scheme": "GB-COH",
        "legalName": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Annabel Barry",
        "email": "annabel.kaurbarry@nationalenergyso.com",
        "telephone": "+44 7775634839"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "036446-2024",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2024-11-11T14:57:49Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04b588",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-COH-11014226",
    "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "Tender for Audit Services: National Energy System Operator 001",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planned",
        "description": "1. Prior Information Notice \n2. PQQ Launch\n3. PQQ Return \n4. PQQ Evaluation and Moderation\n5. RFP Launch\n6. RFP Return\n7. RFP Evaluation\n8. Negotiations\n9. Award and Standstill"
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "79212000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Auditing services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Tender for Audit Services: National Energy System Operator",
    "value": {
      "amount": 5000000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    },
    "status": "planned",
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA"
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "National Energy System Operator (NESO) makes sure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. \nThe UK's 2023 Energy Act established an independent system planner and operator to help accelerate Great Britain's energy transition; creating NESO.\nNESO is built on our previous experience as the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), where we had extensive expertise in balancing electricity supply and demand 24/7, whilst making sure the networks we operated and the markets we served were prepared for the future.\n NESO was sold by National Grid to the UK Government on 1st October 2024 , becoming a public sector organisation from this date. We require comprehensive financial audit services compliant with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI). The objective is to ensure NESO's financial, performance, and regulatory operations are conducted with transparency, accountability, and efficiency. This specification provides the framework for the required audit services, including scope, planning, reporting, accountability, and SLAs.\n________________________________________\n4. Scope of Services (Detailed)\nThe audit firm is responsible for delivering the following detailed services:\nFinancial Audit\no\tProvide reasonable assurance over NESO's financial records in accordance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS ). \no\tVerify  that financial statements are free from material misstatements due to fraud, error, or irregularities.\no\tEvaluate internal financial controls, focusing on risks associated with financial misreporting, operational inefficiencies, or compliance failures.\no\tProvide an audit opinion on the true and fair representation of NESO's financial position, performance, and cash flow.\no\tConduct testing of key accounts to provide reasonable assurance over the financial assertions.\no\tUpdate NESO leadership and Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) regarding relevant changes in legislation and regulation. \no\tReport on external audit progress to NESO leadership, including attendance at bi-monthly ARC meetings and other board or committee meetings as required. \no\tProvide guidance to NESO leadership in particular the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), chair of ARC, director of financial control, and the accounting & reporting lead on accounting and financial matters.\no\tLiaise and coordinate with the CFO, director of financial control and accounting & reporting lead via a monthly progress meeting to ensure full exchange of information.\no\tProduce an annual SOC1 report evaluating the effectiveness of NESO financial controls in relation to transmission revenue charging, for external distribution to UK transmission owners, including National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2025-12-16T00:00:00Z"
    },
    "classification": {
      "id": "79212000",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Auditing services"
    },
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-11014226",
      "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ11",
        "locality": "WOKINGHAM",
        "postalCode": "RG415BN",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "St. Catherines Lodge"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.neso.energy/",
        "buyerProfile": "https://www.neso.energy/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Body governed by public law"
          },
          {
            "scheme": "COFOG",
            "description": "Energy"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "11014226",
        "scheme": "GB-COH",
        "legalName": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Annabel Barry",
        "email": "annabel.kaurbarry@nationalenergyso.com",
        "telephone": "+44 7775634839"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "description": "Introduction National Energy System Operator (NESO) makes sure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. \nThe UK's 2023 Energy Act established an independent system planner and operator to help accelerate Great Britain's energy transition; creating NESO.\nNESO was sold by National Grid to the UK Government on 1st October 2024 , becoming a public sector organisation from this date. We  require comprehensive financial audit services compliant with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI). \nThe audit firm is responsible for delivering the following detailed services:\nFinancial Audit\no\tProvide reasonable assurance over NESO's financial records in accordance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS ). \no\tVerify  that financial statements are free from material misstatements due to fraud, error, or irregularities.\no\tEvaluate internal financial controls, focusing on risks associated with financial misreporting, operational inefficiencies, or compliance failures.\no\tProvide an audit opinion on the true and fair representation of NESO's financial position, performance, and cash flow.\no\tConduct testing of key accounts to provide reasonable assurance over the financial assertions.\no\tUpdate NESO leadership and Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) regarding relevant changes in legislation and regulation. \no\tReport on external audit progress to NESO leadership, including attendance at bi-monthly ARC meetings and other board or committee meetings as required. \no\tProvide guidance to NESO leadership in particular the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), chair of ARC, director of financial control, and the accounting & reporting lead on accounting and financial matters.\no\tLiaise and coordinate with the CFO, director of financial control and accounting & reporting lead via a monthly progress meeting to ensure full exchange of information.\no\tProduce an annual SOC1 report evaluating the effectiveness of NESO financial controls in relation to transmission revenue charging, for external distribution to UK transmission owners, including National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).\n________________________________________\n5. Roles of the Three Parties Involved\n1.\tThe Auditor: The selected audit firm responsible for conducting audits and ensuring all findings are based on sufficient evidence, professional scepticism, and due care.\n2.\tNESO (Responsible Party): NESO management must cooperate with the auditor, provide access to necessary records, and implement audit recommendations.\n3.\tIntended Users: NESO's Board, public stakeholders, and regulatory authorities will use audit reports to guide governance and regulatory decisions.\n________________________________________\n6. Subject Matter and Criteria\n•\tSubject Matter: NESO's financial records, operations, and compliance with laws and policies.\n•\tCriteria: Audits will be evaluated against benchmarks, including IFRS, and internal controls  over financial reporting\n________________________________________\n7. Types of Engagement\n•\tAttestation Engagement: The auditor evaluates NESO's financial statements and provides an opinion.    \n•\tSOC1 Type 2 Report: The auditor evaluates NESO's financial controls in relation to transmission revenue charging and provides an opinion\n________________________________________\n8. Confidence and Assurance\nThe auditor will provide reasonable assurance that NESO's operations comply with relevant criteria, offering confidence to stakeholders.\n________________________________________\n9. Form of Providing Assurance\n•\tOpinions and Conclusions: Financial audits will culminate in an audit opinion for inclusion in the annual submission to companies house.\n________________________________________\n10. Level of Assurance\n•\tReasonable Assurance: The highest level  of assurance provided by an audit based on comprehensive procedures.\n________________________________________\n11. Professional Judgement, Due Care, and Scepticism\nThe auditor must apply professional scepticism and judgement throughout the audit, ensuring that conclusions are based on objective evidence and that the audit is conducted with due care.\n________________________________________\n12. Audit Risk\nThe auditor must take all necessary steps to mitigate audit risk, which is the  risk that the auditor expresses an inappropriate opinion when the financial statements are materially misstated.\n________________________________________\n13. Risk Assessment and Problem Analysis\nAuditors must conduct a thorough risk assessment, identifying and prioritizing high-risk areas within NESO's financial operations\n________________________________________\n14. Materiality\nAuditors must evaluate materiality at both the individual transaction level and in aggregate. The threshold for materiality should be established based on NESO's financial size, operational scope, and stakeholder expectations.\n________________________________________\n15. Audit Planning, Scope, and Approach (Detailed)\nThe audit firm must develop a comprehensive audit plan addressing the following:\n1.\tAudit Scope\no\tClearly define the subject matter for each audit, including financial, operational, and compliance aspects.\no\tThe scope must consider all areas of high risk, materiality, and public interest.\no\tEnsure that audit procedures are sufficiently detailed to cover all critical areas, including procurement, IT systems, risk management, and internal controls.\n2.\tObjectives\no\tEstablish clear objectives, such as assessing NESO's financial health, \n3.\tMethodology\no\tIdentify audit methods for data collection, including sampling, testing, analytical procedures, inspections, interviews, and document reviews.\no\tUse risk-based approaches to focus on areas of higher importance or complexity, ensuring adequate testing of financial transactions, and compliance processes.\n4.\tTimeline\no\tDevelop a detailed timeline for the audit process, including planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up. The timeline must align with NESO's operational cycles, reporting deadlines, and governance meetings.\n5.\tResources\no\tAssign the necessary expertise and resources for each audit, ensuring that specialists in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and performance management are involved.\n________________________________________\n16. Audit Evidence (Detailed)\nThe auditor must gather sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to support the audit findings:\n1.\tData Collection\no\tCollect financial records, internal and external reports, and regulatory filings.\no\tConduct interviews with key NESO personnel and external stakeholders to validate financial procedures and decision-making processes.\n2.\tTesting Procedures\no\tPerform detailed testing of financial transactions, control processes, and compliance with legal and statutory requirements.\no\tUse sampling methods to test a representative portion of NESO's transactions while focusing additional attention on high-value and high-risk areas.\n3.\tReconciliations and Confirmations\no\tConduct reconciliations of financial data with external statements and reports.\no\tObtain third-party confirmations from banks, regulators, suppliers, and other stakeholders as needed.\n4.\tDocument Review\no\tReview policies, contracts, and governance documentation to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies.\n5.\tReliability and Sufficiency of Evidence\no\tEvaluate whether the evidence is reliable, relevant, and sufficient to support the conclusions. Any gaps in the evidence must be identified, and additional procedures must be executed as necessary.\n________________________________________\n17. Conclusions and Audit Findings\nThe audit provider must deliver clear and actionable conclusions based on the evidence gathered. Conclusions should be concise, address key objectives, and provide specific recommendations for improvements in financial management, operational efficiency, or regulatory compliance.\n________________________________________\n18. Audit Report: Short Form, Long Form, Auditor's Report (Detailed)\n•\tShort Form Reports: Summarize audit findings in an executive summary format, highlighting critical issues for immediate action.\n•\tLong Form Reports: Provide comprehensive detail, including methodologies, in-depth analysis, audit scope, and extended recommendations for strategic improvements.\n•\tAuditor's Report: For financial audits, a formal opinion on NESO's financial statements in accordance with IFRS \n________________________________________\n19. Audit Opinion\nThe audit firm will issue an opinion based on findings:\n•\tUnmodified Opinion: When NESO's financial statements are compliant.\n•\tModified Opinion: Includes qualified, adverse, or disclaimed opinions based on the severity of issues identified.\n________________________________________\n20. Follow-Up\nThe audit provider must conduct follow-up audits to verify that NESO has implemented the recommendations provided in previous audit cycles. These follow-ups will:\n•\tTrack Implementation: Confirm whether remedial actions have been taken.\n•\tEscalation: Report any unresolved or critical issues to NESO's Board and relevant authorities.\n•\tContinuous Monitoring: Ensure that NESO's corrective measures are sustainable and aligned with audit findings.\n________________________________________\n21. Transition from Existing Provider\nThe transition from the current financial audit provider to the new one must be seamless, ensuring no disruption in NESO's audit cycle.\nTransition Plan\nThe new audit provider must submit a detailed transition plan within 10 working days of contract signature, including:\n•\tA timeline for shadowing the existing provider and assuming full audit responsibilities.\n•\tA knowledge transfer strategy covering historical audit data, ongoing audit cycles, and future scheduling.\n•\tIdentification of key risks during the transition and mitigation strategies to avoid disruption to NESO's governance and operations.",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}