Tender

Programme Management Office for the NI Smart Meter Programme

UTILITY REGULATOR (UREGNI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Jan 2026 at 13:54

Summary of the contracting process

The Utility Regulator (UREGNI) of Northern Ireland is inviting tenders for the establishment of a Programme Management Office for the NI Smart Meter Programme. This tender, valued at up to £974,774.80, aims to appoint a supplier to develop a detailed programme plan and provide management support services for the smart meter rollout in Northern Ireland. The contracting process is currently in the Tender stage, with electronic submissions to be made via eTendersNI by 23 February 2026. This opportunity falls under the services industry category, specifically targeting management-related services, project management consultancy, and energy-efficiency consultancy services. The procurement follows an open procedure with a contract set to commence on 17 April 2026, potentially extending to 30 September 2030, including optional extensions.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses experienced in programme and project management, particularly those with a focus on energy and efficiency services. The scope of work requires developing comprehensive management strategies for smart meter implementation, making it ideal for consultancy firms or organisations with expertise in utility regulation. The evaluation criteria prioritise quality over price, with 70 percent weighting on quality factors including team experience and service methodology. This focus on quality underscores the importance of a robust management approach, appealing to businesses with a strong track record in similar projects. Successful suppliers stand to benefit from association with a high-profile public project, providing both financial reward and enhanced industry reputation.

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Notice Title

Programme Management Office for the NI Smart Meter Programme

Notice Description

The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (UR) has a requirement for the provision of a Supplier who will establish a Programme Management Office (PMO) to develop a detailed Programme Plan for the rollout of smart meters in Northern Ireland and provide programme management support services to UR. The Supplier will be responsible for: * Developing a Programme Management Approach which sets out the procedures and reporting mechanisms to be used to govern the smart meter programme. * Developing a detailed Programme Plan which identifies all the workstreams/projects required to deliver the programme. This will be informed by engagement with relevant stakeholders. * Provide Programme Management Support Services by conducting programme management and progress monitoring activities (i.e. the application of the Programme Management Approach). This will include communications with Expert Group members (email or video calls) required to conduct these activities are within the scope. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the deliverables/requirements of this contract.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract will include two optional extension periods of up to one year each, depending on need. Extension of the Contract will be subject to an approved budget and UR's internal approval procedures.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d64
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006218-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

71314000 - Energy and related services

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

72224000 - Project management consultancy services

73110000 - Research services

79420000 - Management-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£812,312 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£812,312 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Feb 2026Today
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Apr 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UTILITY REGULATOR (UREGNI)
Additional Buyers

CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ssdadmin.cpd@finance-ni.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT2 7AQ
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

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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