Award

Call Handling Services

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

16 Mar 2026 at 16:17

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Mar 2026 at 16:02

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Gas Networks Limited has awarded a five-year contract valued at £5,870,080 excluding VAT to Cadent Gas Limited for Call Handling Services, part of a complete procurement process. This award focuses on the provision of a dedicated 24/7 emergency call handling service across the United Kingdom, classified under telephone switchboard services. The service aims to manage reports of suspected gas leaks efficiently, ensuring rapid response and compliance with the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996. The procurement method was a direct award due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, with Cadent as the sole provider legally mandated to operate the National Gas Emergency Service. The award was made on 16th March 2026, with the contract period starting from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2031.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in emergency communication infrastructure, service optimisation, and compliance technologies. Companies possessing expert capabilities in those areas, as well as large-scale operational support services, may find growth potential by delivering solutions that enhance operational efficiency and regulatory alignment for utilities such as Northern Gas Networks. Cadent's established role and technical exclusivity underscore the need for partnership-driven innovations or supplementary services that could complement their critical emergency call handling capabilities. This environment fosters collaborative ventures and supplier diversity opportunities within the essential utilities sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Call Handling Services

Notice Description

A dedicated, 24/7 emergency call service that receives, classifies, and manages reports of suspected gas leaks, ensuring rapid response and public safety. National Gas Emergency Service Cadent operates the National Gas Emergency Service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The call handling contract ensures that any reports of gas escapes are immediately received and processed. Safety & Compliance Handling gas escape calls is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (GS(M)R). The contract ensures Cadent meets its obligations by collecting essential information (location, reporter details, control valve status, etc.) and passing it to engineers for immediate action. Rapid Response Coordination Once a call is classified as a gas escape, Cadent dispatches engineers to isolate the supply at the Emergency Control Valve (ECV) and make the property safe. The call handling contract ensures this process begins without delay. 5 year contract PS5,870,080 ex VAT

Procurement Information

Under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, the most appropriate justification for a direct award to Cadent for the gas escape call handling service is: "Absence of competition for technical reasons" - Only Cadent can provide this service because it operates the National Gas Emergency Service and is legally mandated under the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996. There are no reasonable alternatives, and switching would create disproportionate technical and compliance risks.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066b69
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023702-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64214200 - Telephone switchboard services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£7,050,096 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN GAS 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
COLTON LEEDS
Postcode
LS15 8TU
Post Town
Leeds
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE4 West Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE42 Leeds
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Leeds
Electoral Ward
Garforth & Swillington
Westminster Constituency
Leeds East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CADENT GAS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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