Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Studying and Assessing the Benthic Response to Electrical Stimuli (SABRES)

NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Oct 2026 at 11:20

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Grid Electricity Transmission commissioned research into how seafloor organisms respond to electromagnetic fields from high-voltage submarine cables. The work is intended to assess whether these fields can harm marine ecosystems as long-distance interconnector cables are installed to support the transition to net zero. The scope covers research and development services, including experimental development and research consultancy, under the Studying and Assessing the Benthic Response to Electrical Stimuli (SABRES) project. National Grid Electricity Transmission is the buying organisation. The award describes delivery in the United Kingdom, but does not name a particular site or seabed area. The requirement is suited to organisations working in marine ecology, benthic science, environmental impact assessment and applied research on electromagnetic effects.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to the University of Southampton. National Grid used a selective procedure and made the award under an existing framework; the call-off was not competitive. The award date was 6 October 2026. The awarded value is £859,867 excluding VAT (£1,031,840.40 including VAT). The contract period runs from 6 October 2026 to 31 October 2028, with an extension possible up to 31 March 2031. Any extension is subject to an approved variation for additional time or cost. The process was divided into one lot. The published data does not give the evaluation criteria or supplier eligibility requirements.

For suppliers who did not win, this award indicates that National Grid will commission specialist research to understand and assess the ecological effects of electromagnetic fields from submarine power cables. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need to show capability in benthic and marine ecological research, experimental study design, field or laboratory assessment, and interpretation of electromagnetic exposure and organism response. Experience translating scientific findings into evidence relevant to environmental impact and infrastructure development would be pertinent to this buyer’s stated purpose. The selected supplier is a large university, suggesting that research depth and the ability to deliver a substantial, multi-year programme matter. The work sits within a framework route, so suppliers seeking similar work should consider whether they can access relevant frameworks as well as demonstrate the technical research capability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Studying and Assessing the Benthic Response to Electrical Stimuli (SABRES)

Notice Description

High voltage submarine cables produce electromagnetic fields (EMF) external to the cable due to current flowing within their metallic components, primarily the main conductor. While the magnitude of these fields decays rapidly with separation from the cables, reducing to background levels within 10's of meters, cable circuits extend continuously across the seabed for 100's of km. Accurately quantifying and understanding the impact of anthropogenic EMF on seafloor organisms is therefore vital. Given the significant volume of new interconnector systems being installed/planned (e.g. For the Eastern Green Link projects (1-4) represent ~1800km of cable circuit), it is important to ensure that this transition to net zero does not result in ecological harm.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07817a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094167-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Award under framework
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73120000 - Experimental development services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£859,867 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Oct 2026Yesterday
Contract Period
6 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

University of Southampton

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...