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OPA/T868 Plumley Strategy 2 - EPC

Oil and Pipelines Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Aug 2026 at 14:32

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Oil and Pipelines Agency intends to procure a design-and-build contract for underground storage caverns. The work combines construction and engineering activity with drilling services, covering the development and delivery of underground storage infrastructure rather than the supply of standalone equipment. It is classified primarily as works, with services also included, and falls within the defence and security regime. The procurement is associated with the agency’s Plumley Strategy 2 project. Suppliers should expect the requirement to involve integrated design responsibility, construction delivery and specialist subsurface or drilling capability. Businesses operating in underground construction, cavern development, geotechnical engineering, drilling or related infrastructure delivery may find the scope relevant when the procurement reaches the market.

This process is at the planning stage: the Oil and Pipelines Agency has stated an intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to use an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, for a single planned lot. The estimated contract value is £6,000,000 excluding VAT, or £7,200,000 including VAT. The anticipated contract period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031. The buyer expects the next notice to be published on 30 October 2026. The procurement is above the relevant threshold and is subject to the defence and security regime. The stated requirement is for a design-and-build contract covering underground storage caverns, with engineering works, construction works and drilling services.

This requirement is likely to suit contractors able to take responsibility for both design and construction of complex underground infrastructure. Relevant businesses may include civil engineering and construction firms, specialist underground works contractors, cavern developers, drilling companies, geotechnical engineering practices and organisations able to combine these capabilities through a delivery partnership or supply chain. Experience in subsurface construction, drilling operations, engineering design and the delivery of major infrastructure will be commercially relevant. Because the procurement falls within the defence and security regime, suppliers should prepare to demonstrate that they can operate in a security-sensitive public sector environment and meet the associated contractual, organisational and technical requirements. Early preparation should focus on capability, capacity and suitable delivery partners.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

OPA/T868 Plumley Strategy 2 - EPC

Notice Description

Design and Build Contract for underground storage caverns.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e8b3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079500-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

CPV Codes

45220000 - Engineering works and construction works

76300000 - Drilling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Aug 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Oct 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Oil and Pipelines Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GOSPORT
Postcode
PO12 1AP
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ35 South Hampshire
Delivery Location
TLG3 West Midlands
Local Authority
Gosport
Electoral Ward
Forton
Westminster Constituency
Gosport

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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