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Pole Planting Framework

NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

23 Jul 2026 at 08:42

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

03 Jul 2026 at 12:35

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Grid UK Limited is procuring pole planting and associated overhead-line construction services for its electricity distribution operations. The work covers excavation and standing of wood poles and stays; transport, erection, dismantling and removal of transformers, switchgear, poles and other equipment; and trenching, installation, repair and testing of earthing systems, service cables and joint bays. Services may be required on low-, high- and extra-high-voltage networks, including work on public highways, excavation and reinstatement, and 24-hour emergency response for planned standby, unplanned call-outs and significant weather events. The framework is divided across National Grid’s East Midlands, West Midlands, South West England and South Wales license areas. Call-offs may be used by National Grid Electricity Distribution subsidiaries.

The procurement has reached tender: National Grid invited offers through an open competitive flexible procedure, with electronic responses through its Ariba eSourcing platform. Expressions of interest were due by 23:59 BST on 31 July 2026, and the tender submission deadline is 12:00 BST on 14 October 2026. The process comprises pre-qualification, invitation to tender or request for proposals, negotiations and award, with the award decision due by 7 December 2026. Four lots cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West England and South Wales. The estimated total value is £216,000,000 excluding VAT (£259,200,000 gross); individual lot estimates are £30,240,000, £28,080,000, £103,680,000 and £54,000,000 excluding VAT. Each lot has a five-year term from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2032, with up to three one-year extensions. Evaluation is 70% technical and 30% commercial.

This opportunity suits established utility, overhead-line and electrical infrastructure contractors with the plant, machinery, operatives and management systems needed to deliver pole installation and associated works safely across a broad geographic area. Relevant capability includes operating around low-, high- and extra-high-voltage networks, transporting and handling transformers and switchgear, installing and testing earthing and service cables, constructing joint bays, and carrying out excavation and reinstatement. Suppliers should be able to work on public highways, coordinate with National Grid’s nominated traffic-management provider, and provide planned standby, unplanned call-outs and emergency response during severe weather. Compliance with National Grid policies and standard techniques is required. Up to 10 contractors may be appointed in each license area, and call-offs may use direct award or mini-competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Pole Planting Framework

Notice Description

National Grid's objective is to select appropriate suppliers to create a Pole Planting Framework to supply services across the East and West Midlands, South West England and South Wales regions. The anticipated term of the framework will be a 5 year initial term with 3 1-year extension options if National Grid choose to exercise the right to extend. National Grid UK spend approximately PS27,000,000 per annum on Pole Planting Services however please note, this is an indicative figure across all areas and there is no guarantee of volumes under this Framework. The Works cover some or all of the activities listed below, exact requirements will be detailed in the relevant Work Instruction: 1. Provision of plant, machinery, and operatives for the excavation and standing of wood poles and/or associated stays. 2. Transportation of transformers, switchgear, poles, and associated materials to site, including support with their erection, dismantling, and the removal of redundant equipment as scrap. 3. Trenching, installation, repair, and testing of earthing systems; trenching and installation of service cables; and construction of joint bays at the base of overhead line poles operating on: - Low Voltage (up to 1000 V) - High Voltage (11,000 V) - Extra High Voltage (33,000 V / 66,000 V) networks The Works may include: - Activities undertaken on the Public Highway and where specified, excavation and reinstatement works. Traffic management is to be carried out by National Grid's nominated provider. - Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service, which may include planned standby, unplanned callouts, and response during significant weather-related events. - Completion of all activities in compliance with National Grid Policies and Standard Techniques.

Lot Information

Pole Planting Framework - East Midlands

The Works cover some or all of the activities listed below across the East Midlands, exact requirements will be detailed in the relevant Work Instruction: 1. The provision of plant, machinery, and operatives for the excavation and standing of wood poles and/or associated stays. 2. Transportation of transformers, switchgear, poles, and associated materials to site, including support with their erection, dismantling, and the removal of redundant equipment as scrap. 3. Trenching, installation, repair, and testing of earthing systems; trenching and installation of service cables; and construction of joint bays at the base of overhead line poles operating on: - Low Voltage (up to 1000 V) - High Voltage (11,000 V) - Extra High Voltage (33,000 V / 66,000 V) networks The Works may include: - Activities undertaken on the Public Highway and where specified, excavation and reinstatement works. Traffic management is to be carried out by National Grid's nominated provider. - Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service, which may include planned standby, unplanned callouts, and response during significant weather-related events. - Completion of all activities in compliance with National Grid Policies and Standard Techniques.

Renewal: The Contract Term may be extended by National Grid for a further period of up to 3 years in 1 year increments by notice in writing to the appointed supplier(s).

Pole Planting Framework - West Midlands

The Works cover some or all of the activities listed below across the West Midlands, exact requirements will be detailed in the relevant Work Instruction: 1. The provision of plant, machinery, and operatives for the excavation and standing of wood poles and/or associated stays. 2. Transportation of transformers, switchgear, poles, and associated materials to site, including support with their erection, dismantling, and the removal of redundant equipment as scrap. 3. Trenching, installation, repair, and testing of earthing systems; trenching and installation of service cables; and construction of joint bays at the base of overhead line poles operating on: - Low Voltage (up to 1000 V) - High Voltage (11,000 V) - Extra High Voltage (33,000 V / 66,000 V) networks The Works may include: - Activities undertaken on the Public Highway and where specified, excavation and reinstatement works. Traffic management is to be carried out by National Grid's nominated provider. - Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service, which may include planned standby, unplanned callouts, and response during significant weather-related events. - Completion of all activities in compliance with National Grid Policies and Standard Techniques.

Renewal: The Contract Term may be extended by National Grid for a further period of up to 3 years in 1 year increments by notice in writing to the appointed supplier(s).

Pole Planting Framework - South West

The Works cover some or all of the activities listed below across the South West of England, exact requirements will be detailed in the relevant Work Instruction: 1. The provision of plant, machinery, and operatives for the excavation and standing of wood poles and/or associated stays. 2. Transportation of transformers, switchgear, poles, and associated materials to site, including support with their erection, dismantling, and the removal of redundant equipment as scrap. 3. Trenching, installation, repair, and testing of earthing systems; trenching and installation of service cables; and construction of joint bays at the base of overhead line poles operating on: - Low Voltage (up to 1000 V) - High Voltage (11,000 V) - Extra High Voltage (33,000 V / 66,000 V) networks The Works may include: - Activities undertaken on the Public Highway and where specified, excavation and reinstatement works. Traffic management is to be carried out by National Grid's nominated provider. - Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service, which may include planned standby, unplanned callouts, and response during significant weather-related events. - Completion of all activities in compliance with National Grid Policies and Standard Techniques.

Renewal: The Contract Term may be extended by National Grid for a further period of up to 3 years in 1 year increments by notice in writing to the appointed supplier(s).

Pole Planting Framework - South Wales

The Works cover some or all of the activities listed below across South Wales, exact requirements will be detailed in the relevant Work Instruction: 1. The provision of plant, machinery, and operatives for the excavation and standing of wood poles and/or associated stays. 2. Transportation of transformers, switchgear, poles, and associated materials to site, including support with their erection, dismantling, and the removal of redundant equipment as scrap. 3. Trenching, installation, repair, and testing of earthing systems; trenching and installation of service cables; and construction of joint bays at the base of overhead line poles operating on: - Low Voltage (up to 1000 V) - High Voltage (11,000 V) - Extra High Voltage (33,000 V / 66,000 V) networks The Works may include: - Activities undertaken on the Public Highway and where specified, excavation and reinstatement works. Traffic management is to be carried out by National Grid's nominated provider. - Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service, which may include planned standby, unplanned callouts, and response during significant weather-related events. - Completion of all activities in compliance with National Grid Policies and Standard Techniques.

Renewal: The Contract Term may be extended by National Grid for a further period of up to 3 years in 1 year increments by notice in writing to the appointed supplier(s).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c361
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069416-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

43300000 - Construction machinery and equipment

45232210 - Overhead line construction

71500000 - Construction-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£216,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£216,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
14 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
20 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2034-05-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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
TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLK South West (England), TLL14 South West Wales, TLL16 Gwent Valleys, TLL17 Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot, TLL18 Swansea, TLL21 Monmouthshire and Newport, TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, TLL24 Powys
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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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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