Planning

PENETRATION TESTING SERVICES

NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Jan 2025 at 09:30

Summary of the contracting process

National Energy System Operator Limited (NESO), headquartered in Wokingham, UK, has announced the planning stage for their penetration testing services procurement. This contract is valued at £750,000 and falls under the industry category of networking, internet, and intranet software packages. The primary procurement category is goods. NESO aims to establish a penetration testing framework to ensure the security of its systems, with the procurement focusing on a range of services, including infrastructure, web application, API security testing, and simulated attack exercises. All interested suppliers must register with Achilles UVDB using the code 2.1.23-Cyber Security Consulting or Services by 31st January 2025. The procurement method is through the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, with an initial three-year contract and the possibility of two one-year extensions. Key future dates include the commencement of the pre-qualification stage in April 2025 and a future notice date set for 31st August 2025.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses with expertise in cyber security consulting and penetration testing, particularly those with experience in Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) environments. The contract requires suppliers to provide CHECK accredited penetration testers and offers a flexible framework that can adapt to varying business requirements. Companies equipped to deliver comprehensive vulnerability testing and those possessing the necessary UK Government Security Clearances will find this tender particularly advantageous. Given the scale and ongoing transformation of NESO, businesses that can deliver high-quality, timely security solutions will be well-suited to compete for this contract and potentially secure a long-term partnership.

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Notice Title

PENETRATION TESTING SERVICES

Notice Description

As part of the separation from National Grid Group and transformation into NESO under UK Government ownership, NESO are looking to create their own penetration testing framework to ensure that we can provide assurance over the security of our systems and provide a secure service to Great Britain. To achieve this, NESO requires a penetration testing panel of at least three members who can provide in-depth penetration testing services, covering a range of localised testing, such as web-app or infrastructure testing, as well as simulated attack exercises.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NESO require a penetration testing service provider that can: Provide Infrastructure, Web Application, API and Web Application security testing. Provide simulated attack exercising services (Purple/Red Teams). Provide CHECK accredited penetration testers to complete testing. Where necessary, provide penetration testers who have achieved UK Gov Security Clearance Provide highly accurate reporting of vulnerabilities within the in-scope systems. Provide resource for testing with a no longer than 1 month lead time. Provide resource with knowledge and experience of testing on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) environments, and the risk associated, where applicable to the scope of testing. Additional information: Contract duration Flexible, agile framework contract that can be scaled-up or down based on business requirements. Compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 Initial contract duration 3-year contract, with the possibility for 2 one year contract extensions Participation requirements: All suppliers wishing to participate in the tender process must register with Achilles via the UVDB code 2.1.23-Cyber security consulting or services for the event by the 31st January 2025.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04cf69
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000974-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48200000 - Networking, Internet and intranet software package

48400000 - Business transaction and personal business software package

48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
31 Jan 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED
Contact Name
Steve Birch
Contact Email
steve.birch@nationalenergyso.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WOKINGHAM
Postcode
RG41 5BN
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Wokingham
Electoral Ward
Winnersh
Westminster Constituency
Wokingham

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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