Planning

Provision of a Resilient Secondary Internet Connectivity Service

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Mar 2026 at 09:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process, seeking to enhance the resilience of critical ICT services at Parliament Buildings, Belfast. This process focuses on creating a resilient secondary internet connectivity service, set to complement existing primary connections. A preliminary market engagement (PME) phase is underway, aimed at assessing market capability and exploring feasible delivery methods, particularly considering Parliament Buildings' status as a Grade 1 listed property. The engagement process includes activities such as a PME questionnaire and a Supplier Information Day, with a key due date for feedback by 6th April 2026.

This initiative presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in IT services, including internet service provision and software development, particularly those adept at working with heritage constraints. Participation in this market engagement could help businesses influence the procurement specifications and strengthen their suitability for the forthcoming tender, although it won't provide an advantage in the eventual selection process. The contract is valued at £144,000 and spans from May 2026 to May 2030, making it attractive to firms capable of delivering reliable and innovative connectivity solutions within the UK's public authority central government sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of a Resilient Secondary Internet Connectivity Service

Notice Description

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to inform a potential future procurement for a resilient secondary internet connectivity service to Parliament Buildings. This engagement seeks to understand market capability, feasible delivery approaches, indicative costs, and potential constraints associated with delivering a secondary connectivity service within a Grade 1 listed building. The outcome will support the development of a proportionate specification, procurement strategy, and delivery model. This is not a call for competition. Participation is voluntary and will not advantage or disadvantage any organisation in any future procurement process.

Planning Information

Scope of Work and Outline Requirement The Assembly Commission is seeking to understand the market’s capability to provide a managed secondary data connectivity service to Parliament Buildings to enhance resilience of critical ICT services. The required service is intended to operate independently of the existing primary internet connectivity provision and provide continuity of service in the event of a failure affecting the primary connection. The service will support a range of operational systems including legislative broadcasting and corporate network services where availability and stability are essential. Parliament Buildings is a Grade 1 listed property and therefore installation approaches may be subject to physical and heritage constraints. The Assembly Commission is seeking to understand feasible methods of delivery within such constraints and any associated dependencies, permissions or surveys that may be required. The purpose of this engagement is to inform a future procurement and does not constitute a request for a solution design or proposal. The Assembly Commission wishes to understand achievable service levels, delivery considerations and market capability in order to develop a proportionate and deliverable specification. Engagement Activities During the engagement phase of this project, the Assembly Commission may undertake the following activities: - PME Questionnaire - Supplier Information Day

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0670ff
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026085-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

32412110 - Internet network

48200000 - Networking, Internet and intranet software package

48220000 - Internet and intranet software package

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

72212200 - Networking, Internet and intranet software development services

72411000 - Internet service providers ISP

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£144,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Apr 20262 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 May 2026 - 31 May 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION
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
BT4 3XX
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
TLN06 Belfast
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Stormont
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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