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IT Managed Service Procurement

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

15 Dec 2025 at 11:55

Award Notice
Tender

17 Oct 2024 at 17:26

Tender Notice
Planning

03 Jul 2024 at 16:05

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks is undertaking a procurement process for IT Managed Services in Northern Ireland, valued between £150 million and £200 million. British Telecommunications PLC has been awarded the contract, following a selective, negotiated procedure with prior competition call. Operating under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, the award was made on 24th November 2025. The project involves transitioning and transforming the IT and Telecoms infrastructure to enable NIE Networks to meet its Network and Information Security obligations. The contract encompasses services like infrastructure management, data hosting, cyber security, and supplier licence management. The contract has an initial duration of five years starting on 1st April 2026, with potential extensions up to ten years.

For businesses in the IT services industry, especially those specialising in consulting, software development, and support, this contract presents significant growth prospects. Companies with capabilities in infrastructure management, cyber security, and telecommunications are encouraged to engage, as the contract involves diverse services ranging from service management to resource augmentation. The requirement for ensuring critical national infrastructure security suggests strong opportunities for firms focusing on cutting-edge tech solutions and cyber resilience. This award indicates a fruitful engagement between large-scale telecommunications and IT managed services providers, with British Telecommunications PLC serving as a prime contractor, showcasing the competitive landscape within the procurement sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

IT Managed Service Procurement

Notice Description

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator and Transmission Network Owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks is responsible for the network of engineering assets that allows the transmission and distribution of electricity to customers' premises from electricity generators. The purpose of this procurement was to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period. The scope of the contract will include: * Service Management * Infrastructure Management * Data Hosting * Cyber Security * Telecommunications * Resource Augmentation Services * Supplier Licence Management * Supplier Invoice Processing NIE Networks has estimated the value of the Contract to be between PS150million and PS200million.The estimated value of the Contract outlined in Section II.1.7 and Section V.2.4 represents the total potential value of the contract over its full potential duration. This value is based upon the: * transition and transformation activities outlined in the PIM; * annual costs of managing and running the IT Managed Service; * capital costs and residual operational costs of delivering IT upgrade and obsolescence projects across our infrastructure, applications and telecommunications estate via Change Control; and * pass-through costs for purchases and maintenance of third-party licenses acquired by the IT Managed Service Provider for NIE Networks' use.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This procurement procedure was conducted in compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended) and NIE Networks used the negotiated procedure with prior call for competition for the award of the Contract. The purpose of this procurement was to appoint an IT Managed Services Provider that will: operate and transform the IT and Telecoms infrastructure; ensure that NIE Networks can fulfil its Network and Information Security (NIS) obligations as a provider of Critical National Infrastructure; provide effective support across the business through high-quality service management; and assist NIE Networks in delivering its Digital & IT change programme for the RP7 regulatory period.

Options: The Contract will be for an initial term beginning on the Effective Date (as defined in the Contract ) and ending five (5) years from the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date (as defined in the Contract), followed by up to five (5) extension periods of one (1) year each at NIE Networks' sole discretion, providing a maximum potential Contract duration of ten (10) years from and including the later of the 1st April 2026 and the Transition Completion Date. Please note that, in the event of any slippage to the Transition Completion Date beyond 1st April 2026 (which will be outside the control of NIE Networks once the contract is awarded), the total duration of the contract could potentially exceed the 126 months referenced in Section II.1.7 of the Contract Notice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-047a53
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082837-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72100000 - Hardware consultancy services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

72300000 - Data services

72400000 - Internet services

72500000 - Computer-related services

72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services

72700000 - Computer network services

72800000 - Computer audit and testing services

72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Dec 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Nov 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Aug 2024Expired
Award Date
24 Nov 20259 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
Additional Buyers

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST,
Postcode
BT9 5HT
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

British Telecommunications PLC

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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