Award

Security Information Event and Management Software and Professional Services

NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

16 May 2025 at 14:42

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED has completed a procurement process for the provision of security information event and management software and professional services, with a focus on software-related services. The procurement process, tagged as a contract award, was undertaken using a limited procurement method without the prior publication of a call for competition, due to the absence of competition for technical reasons. The process culminated in the award of the contract to Elastic, involving the continuous monitoring of information systems and networks for security events, designed to meet National Power Outage (NPO) requirements. This contract, classified under CPV code 72260000, is located in the UK, and the contract was signed on 29th April 2025.

This tender creates substantial opportunities for businesses in the cybersecurity software and IT services sector, especially those with capabilities in developing or integrating security information and event management (SIEM) solutions. The opportunity is particularly suited for businesses with expertise in systems compatible with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP) and those able to meet stringent technical and compliance needs of critical infrastructure. As the contract was awarded directly to Elastic, it underscores the importance of positioning products within market-leading assessments, such as high placement in the Gartner Quadrant. This direct award serves as an excellent case study for businesses aiming to highlight cost-efficiency, compliance, and compatibility within their proposals to secure high-value contracts in the public sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Security Information Event and Management Software and Professional Services

Notice Description

Provision of security information event and management software

Lot Information

Lot 1

Procurement of a tool used to continuously monitor information systems and networks for security events and anomalies, collect and review logs, and aid in the investigation of security incidents.

Procurement Information

Following a comprehensive and competitive procurement process, a direct award to Elastic is being proposed based on the following critical factors: (i)Compliance with National Power Outage (NPO) Requirements: The procurement exercise established that only two solutions that sit high in the Gartner Quadrant, Splunk and Elastic, are capable of meeting the stringent National Power Outage (NPO) requirements. These requirements explicitly preclude the use of cloud-based SIEM solutions. Furthermore, both technologies are compatible with the selected Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and have readily available engineering expertise within the open market. This significantly reduces delivery risk and ensures continuity of service. (ii)Technical Recommendation and Internal Validation: The selected SOC MSSP has provided a strong recommendation in favor of Elastic, citing its suitability to meet the NPO constraints and operational needs. In parallel, the NESO Chief Security Office (CSO) has conducted an internal assessment of Elastic and confirmed it aligns with their functional and security requirements. This dual endorsement reinforces confidence in the technical and strategic fit of the solution. Furthermore, Elastic is already being used in CNI and the business for health monitoring purposes, so there is some experience in supporting it. (iii)Cost Efficiency: From a financial standpoint, Elastic is significantly more cost-effective option compared to Splunk. The estimated annual cost of implementing and maintaining Splunk is over eight times higher than that of Elastic. This substantial cost differential highlights the strong value for money achieved through a direct award to Elastic, making it the more economically viable solution. In light of the above considerations, namely compliance with critical NPO constraints, alignment with MSSP and CSO assessments, and marked cost savings, a direct award to Elastic is both justified and strategically sound.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051626
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022341-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Apr 202510 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
NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED
Contact Name
Maria Slimpa
Contact Email
maria.slimpa1@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

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051626-2025-05-16T15:42:30+01:00",
    "date": "2025-05-16T15:42:30+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051626",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051626",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0025",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Security Information Event and Management Software and Professional Services",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "72260000",
            "description": "Software-related services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Provision of security information event and management software",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Procurement of a tool used to continuously monitor information systems and networks for security events and anomalies, collect and review logs, and aid in the investigation of security incidents.",
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "cancelled"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "id": "D_TECHNICAL",
                "description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Following a comprehensive and competitive procurement process, a direct award to Elastic is being proposed based on the following critical factors: (i)Compliance with National Power Outage (NPO) Requirements: The procurement exercise established that only two solutions that sit high in the Gartner Quadrant, Splunk and Elastic, are capable of meeting the stringent National Power Outage (NPO) requirements. These requirements explicitly preclude the use of cloud-based SIEM solutions. Furthermore, both technologies are compatible with the selected Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and have readily available engineering expertise within the open market. This significantly reduces delivery risk and ensures continuity of service. (ii)Technical Recommendation and Internal Validation: The selected SOC MSSP has provided a strong recommendation in favor of Elastic, citing its suitability to meet the NPO constraints and operational needs. In parallel, the NESO Chief Security Office (CSO) has conducted an internal assessment of Elastic and confirmed it aligns with their functional and security requirements. This dual endorsement reinforces confidence in the technical and strategic fit of the solution. Furthermore, Elastic is already being used in CNI and the business for health monitoring purposes, so there is some experience in supporting it. (iii)Cost Efficiency: From a financial standpoint, Elastic is significantly more cost-effective option compared to Splunk. The estimated annual cost of implementing and maintaining Splunk is over eight times higher than that of Elastic. This substantial cost differential highlights the strong value for money achieved through a direct award to Elastic, making it the more economically viable solution. In light of the above considerations, namely compliance with critical NPO constraints, alignment with MSSP and CSO assessments, and marked cost savings, a direct award to Elastic is both justified and strategically sound."
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "022341-2025-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active"
        }
    ],
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-11014226",
            "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
                "id": "11014226",
                "scheme": "GB-COH"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED",
                "locality": "Wokingham",
                "region": "UKJ",
                "postalCode": "RG41 5BN",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Maria Slimpa",
                "email": "maria.slimpa1@nationalenergyso.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.neso.energy/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CE_ACTIVITY",
                        "id": "ELECTRICITY",
                        "description": "Electricity"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-139907",
            "name": "OFGEM",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "OFGEM"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "London",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-11014226",
        "name": "NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR LIMITED"
    },
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "022341-2025-1",
            "awardID": "022341-2025-1",
            "status": "active",
            "dateSigned": "2025-04-29T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}