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C150 (2027) Preliminary Market Engagement for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Oct 2026 at 13:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) intends to procure power and auto-transformers for use in its electricity transmission network. The proposed supply covers 110/33 kV power transformers and 275/110/22 kV auto-transformers, for delivery in Northern Ireland. This is a goods requirement for equipment used in the transmission network. NIE Networks is consulting suppliers before deciding how to run the procurement, to understand market interest and capabilities, identify potential solutions and shape an effective procurement strategy. The planned arrangement is split into two lots, one for each transformer type, and is intended to appoint a main supplier and a reserve supplier to separate framework agreements.

The process is at preliminary market engagement and is not a tender or call for competition. NIE Networks is seeking supplier input through a questionnaire, with possible follow-up discussions or meetings to clarify responses and explore issues, risks and challenges. Questionnaire responses are expected by 23 October 2026; any consultations will follow the returns. NIE Networks anticipates launching the procurement in early 2027. The proposed route is a framework arrangement divided into two lots, with separate agreements intended for each transformer type. Each agreement is planned for five years, with an extension option of up to three more years. Estimated spend across all lots over the maximum potential term is up to £63 million. The pre-qualification phase is expected to use Achilles UVDB; the applicable qualification route will depend on when the procurement is issued.

The requirement is suited to manufacturers and suppliers able to provide high-voltage power and auto-transformers for use in an electricity transmission network. Suppliers with capability across 110/33 kV power transformers or 275/110/22 kV auto-transformers can assess the relevant lot, while suppliers able to cover both equipment types may be relevant to both. The intended framework structure points to a sustained supply relationship and capacity to support a major utility network requirement, with a reserve supplier also envisaged. Interested suppliers should be suitably registered with Achilles UVDB to participate in the future procurement; NIE Networks advises suppliers to engage with Achilles directly and allow time for registration. Market engagement participation will not determine eligibility for the later competition, and interested suppliers will need to express formal interest when that procurement is launched.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

C150 (2027) Preliminary Market Engagement for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers.

Notice Description

NIE Networks intends to establish a Framework Arrangement and appoint up to one supplier plus a reserve to enter into separate Framework Agreements for the Supply of Power and Auto Transformers. The requirement is for Power and Auto Transformers used within the NIE Networks' transmission network. Each Framework Agreement will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of NIE Networks and subject to the terms of the Framework Agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to three (3) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. It is envisaged that this will be a multi lot procurement exercise consisting of the following lots: Lot 1 Supply of 110/33 kV Power Transformers Lot 2 Supply of 275/110/22 kV Auto-transformers NIE Networks estimates that the total spend under framework agreements could be up to PS63 million for all lots over the total potential eight-year duration. Therefore, NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) supplier information event to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for Contract C150 (2027) for the Supply of 110/33 kV Power and 275/110/22 kV Auto Transformers This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract C150 (2027), identify potential solutions and develop an effective procurement strategy. This PME supplier information event is open to suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process.

Planning Information

Interested parties should register their interest in this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) event via eSourcingNI. https://e-sourcingni.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) envelope has been created named “pqq_4763” within Project “project_29297”. This PQQ contains preliminary information relating to the requirement and includes the PME questionnaire for Suppliers to complete. This eSourcingNI PQQ will close at 3.00pm on 23 October 2026 and NIE Networks are unable to accept submissions after this deadline. Indivual Consultations Following the return of completed questionnaires, NIE Networks may wish to explore responses further and/or seek clarification from potential Suppliers through face-to-face meetings or remote discussions. This will provide an opportunity to develop a mutual understanding of any potential issues, risks or challenges associated with the proposed procurement that may not have been previously identified. Where necessary, NIE Networks will provide further information and instructions regarding participation in PME Consultations. Consultations may consist of a presentation by NIE Networks, followed by an opportunity for Suppliers to raise questions and provide feedback. Please note that NIE Networks shall conduct Consultations in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency. To that end, it is important to stress that the structure, specification and all other aspects of the procurement will not be designed to give direct or indirect advantage to any interested party and all information concerning the forthcoming procurement will be disseminated to all interested parties. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PME Notice or the PME Questionnaire. Participation or non-participation in the PME supplier information event shall not prevent any interested parties from participating in any subsequent procurement process. ANY FUTURE PROCUREMENT This PME Notice, and the PME supplier information event, do not constitute a call for competition, selection process or a current tender opportunity. This PME Notice has been produced solely for the purpose of conducting Preliminary Market Engagement. All interested parties will need to express a formal interest in any future tender opportunity in due course. Any future procurement for these requirements will be launched separately and is currently anticipated to commence in early 2027. Subject to any future procurement, NIE Networks intends to use Achilles UVDB to conduct the Pre-Qualification phase of the process. Depending upon the time of issue of any future procurement, NIE Networks will pre-qualify Suppliers using either Achilles UVDB Qualification System Notice (QSN) governed by the Utility Contract Regulations 2016 or Achilles UVDB Qualifying Utilities Dynamic Market (QUDM) subject to the Procurement Act 2023. Therefore, any interested parties will be required to be suitably registered with Achilles UVDB (www.achilles.com/uvdb/) to participate in the future procurement process. Suppliers are strongly advised to engage with Achilles UVDB directly and allow sufficient time for the registration process. Additionally, expressing an interest in this Preliminary Market Engagement will not necessarily be a pre-requisite in respect of the future tender competition. NIE Networks reserves the right to Direct Award in the absence of competition. For the avoidance of doubt, Suppliers wishing to participate in this PME exercise must submit their response via eSourcingNI in accordance with the instructions set out above.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0780c0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093816-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

CPV Codes

31170000 - Transformers

31172000 - Voltage transformers

31174000 - Power supply transformers

31213200 - Distribution transformers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£63,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Feb 2028 - 28 Feb 2033 Over 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 Electricity 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
BELFAST
Postcode
BT9 5HT
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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