This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

04 Sep 2026 at 10:31

Planning

08 Jun 2026 at 14:46

Summary of the contracting process

National Grid UK Limited is procuring marine construction works and related services to remediate and protect subsea electricity cables across the United Kingdom. The requirement covers cable protection using rock berms, rock bags, concrete mattresses and other suitable methods, with the equipment needed for compliant completion. Work may be required in nearshore waters from 0 to 20 metres Lowest Astronomical Tide and offshore waters deeper than 20 metres. The framework will support National Grid interconnector and strategic infrastructure assets, including IFA, IFA2, North Sea Link, Viking Link, BritNed, Nemo Link, LionLink, Eastern Green Link projects, Sea Link and Western Link projects. Additional work orders may cover seabed debris removal, remedial reburial, sand-wave removal and cable reburial.

The procurement has reached tender: National Grid has invited suppliers to participate through a selective competitive flexible procedure. It will run through pre-qualification on SAP Ariba, followed by an RFP for up to five highest-scoring suppliers, negotiations with one or two suppliers, and award to one supplier. Expressions of interest and PQQ submissions are due by 25 September 2026 at 15:00; enquiries are due by 10 September 2026 at 12:00. The award decision is due by 22 March 2027. This is one lot under a framework agreement, with an estimated value of £20,000,000 excluding VAT and £66,000,000 including VAT. The contract is scheduled for 4 May 2027 to 3 May 2031, with extensions allowing up to 3 May 2035. Evaluation covers commercial, technical, and contract risk and compliance criteria.

This opportunity suits marine contractors with substantial subsea cable protection and intervention experience, supported by a broad technical team and the capacity to respond to work orders across nearshore and offshore environments. Relevant capability includes deploying rock berms, rock bags, concrete mattresses and other cable protection systems, together with seabed surveys and the equipment needed for compliant installation. Suppliers should also be able to undertake seabed debris clearance using ROV grapnel tooling, ploughs or equivalent methods, and remedial works including Mass Flow Excavation, sand-wave removal, cable reburial and other excavation techniques. The requirement is intended for organisations able to provide long-term readiness, manage varied cable assets and support asset resilience. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Subsea Cable Remediation and Protection

Notice Description

National Grid is seeking to establish a long-term framework agreement with an experienced Contractor capable of delivering cable protection solutions, including rock berms, rock bags, concrete mattresses, and other manners of appropriate protection of subsea electricity cables. This tender is issued by National Grid UK "NGUK" Limited for and on behalf of its entities. The contract allows the wider National Grid Group and its JV Partners ("Employer") to instruct Work. NGUK and its subsidiaries shall instruct the Contractor to provide the Works for the following Interconnector Assets and Projects and any subsequent Assets which are commissioned from time to time: * National Grid Ventures Unincorporated Joint Ventures (NGV UJV) - IFA, IFA2, North Sea Link and Viking Link. * National Grid Ventures Incorporated Joint Ventures (NGV IJV) - Britned, Nemo Link, Lion Link. * Other National Grid cable businesses / Strategic Infrastructure (SI) - Eastern Green Link 1, Eastern Green Link 2, Eastern Green Link 3, Eastern Green Link 4, Eastern Green Link 5, Sea Link, Western Link, Western Link 2. The NGV UJV businesses will likely be the first contract users as there are currently multiple known exposures requiring protection. The agreement will be used when a maintenance survey identifies cable exposure requiring intervention or when a new cable section recently installed requires protection after a repair. The works shall provide minimum cover subsea cable system remediation and protection, with all the necessary and appropriate equipment required to achieve compliant completion of the works. This equipment deployed will need to cover all subsea cables and all scenarios listed below: a) Nearshore - In the nearshore environment, defined as water depths of 0 to 20 metres Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). b) Offshore - In the offshore environment, defined as water depths in excess of of 20 metres LAT. In addition to the primary cable protection works, the Employer wishes to retain the flexibility to issue Work Orders for activities that may arise over the duration of this long-term agreement to support asset resilience. While there are currently no defined scopes for these activities, the Contractor is expected to have the capability to undertake such works if required, including: * Seabed debris removal and relocation - which may involve methods such as ROV grapnel tooling, ploughs or other appropriate clearance techniques. * Remedial and reburial works - including cable reburial and sand wave removal activities using methods such as Mass Flow Excavation or other appropriate excavation techniques. The Contractor is expected to support the core cable protection scope while maintaining the capability and readiness to deliver additional seabed intervention and cable reburial services as and when required throughout the term of the agreement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract is for a Term of up to 8 years with an initial Term of 4 years with the option to extend for two (2) further periods of two (2) years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aff0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083788-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

45244000 - Marine construction works

45252125 - Rock-dumping work

71354500 - Marine survey services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 May 2027 - 3 May 2031 4-5 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
NATIONAL GRID UK 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
LONDON
Postcode
WC2N 5EH
Postcode Area
Central London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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