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SF6 Recycle and Re-use Framework

NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

20 Oct 2026 at 09:36

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

19 Oct 2026 at 14:20

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Grid UK Limited is seeking an end-to-end service to recover, test, reclaim, store, manage and redistribute its sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), as well as dispose of contaminated or unrecoverable gas when instructed. The service covers collection from National Grid sites across England and Wales, provision of storage vessels, compliant transport, gas testing and processing to technical grade, management of National Grid’s stockpile, certified deliveries and disposal through authorised facilities. Suppliers must provide the labour, facilities, equipment, logistics, reporting and management needed across the gas’s lifecycle. The work also includes secure digital inventory control and traceability of consignments, vessels and batches, with records of movements, analysis, certificates and disposal. Delivery is required to National Grid locations across England and Wales.

National Grid invited suppliers to express interest and submit offers through a competitive flexible procedure with a single tender submission stage. It is a single-lot framework for National Grid UK Limited and two group subsidiaries, with one framework participant and call-offs with or without reopening competition. The expression-of-interest deadline was 13 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC; the planned award decision date was 21 December 2026. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 March 2027 to 28 February 2030, with possible 12-month extensions up to 29 February 2032. The estimated value is £1.11 million gross. Evaluation weights non-commercial quality at 60% and commercial factors at 40%. Suppliers may need to show adequate legal and financial capacity and meet technical participation requirements.

This requirement suits specialist SF6 recovery, gas-treatment, storage and distribution businesses, including SMEs, that can manage the complete service rather than only one stage. Suppliers need the facilities and capacity to collect gas across England and Wales, maintain secure storage and stockpile controls, process treatable gas for reuse, and meet urgent delivery needs. Relevant capability includes testing and classifying SF6 to BS EN IEC 60480 and associated standards, handling and transporting gas in compliance with legislation, and arranging licensed disposal with traceability through final destruction and auditable certification. A secure digital system must provide real-time inventory visibility and end-to-end movement, batch and audit records. The successful supplier will take over management of an existing Category A stockpile of approximately 13.26 tonnes. Strong environmental management and demonstrable technical experience, competent staff and financial standing are important.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SF6 Recycle and Re-use Framework

Notice Description

National Grid intends to tender for the provision of a comprehensive SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) management service to support the recovery, reuse, storage, treatment, distribution and disposal of National Grid-owned SF6. The contract will support National Grid's objectives of maximising reuse, reducing emissions, maintaining security of supply and ensuring full traceability of all SF6 managed on its behalf. The appointed Supplier will be required to provide an end-to-end service covering the complete lifecycle of SF6 under National Grid ownership, including: * Collection of recovered SF6 from National Grid sites. * Provision of suitable storage vessels and associated logistics. * Transportation of SF6 in compliance with all applicable legislation. * Testing, analysis and classification of recovered gas. * Processing, reclamation and recycling of SF6 to Technical Grade SF6. * Management of a dedicated National Grid-owned SF6 stockpile. * Secure storage and inventory management. * Distribution and delivery of certified Technical Grade SF6 to National Grid locations. * Disposal of non-recoverable SF6 and contaminated gas, if instructed by National Grid. * Maintenance of complete digital traceability and reporting. The Supplier shall demonstrate the capability, capacity and competence to: Collect, Process, Store and Distribute SF6 * Collect SF6 from National Grid sites across England and Wales. * Test and classify recovered gas in accordance with BS EN IEC 60480 and associated standards. * Process treatable SF6 into Technical Grade SF6 suitable for reuse. * Maintain sufficient storage capacity and stockpile management arrangements to support National Grid operational requirements. * Supply and distribute certified Technical Grade SF6 to National Grid locations, including urgent delivery requirements where necessary. Manage Disposal Activities * Safely manage contaminated and non-recoverable SF6. * Provide disposal services through appropriately licensed and authorised facilities. * Maintain full traceability through to final destruction. * Provide auditable destruction certification and disposal records. * Ensure disposal activities are only undertaken following written instruction from National Grid. Digital Tracking and Traceability The Supplier shall implement and maintain a secure digital tracking and inventory management system providing: * Real-time inventory visibility. * End-to-end traceability of all consignments. * Tracking from recovery through storage, processing, delivery and disposal. * Unique identification of consignments, vessels and processed batches. * Full movement, transaction and audit history. * Provision and recording of inventory data, certificates, analysis results and reports. Environmental Objectives The contract will prioritise: * Promote SF6 reuse and reclamation. * Minimisation of SF6 emissions. * Prevention of intentional releases to atmosphere. * Reduction of disposal volumes wherever technically feasible. * Transparent reporting of recovery, reuse, disposal and emissions performance. All SF6 managed under the contract shall remain the property of National Grid at all times. The supplier will be expected to provide all labour, facilities, equipment, transportation, testing, reporting and management resources necessary to deliver the service. At contract commencement, the successful Supplier will be expected to assume management of National Grid's existing Category A SF6 stockpile of approximately 13.26 tonnes and integrate the inventory into its traceability, storage and stock management arrangements.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Term may be extended by National Grid for a further period of up to 24 months in 12-month intervals by notice in writing given not less than one (1) month prior to the expiry of the Term.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078ad9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098771-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

24100000 - Gases

63121110 - Gas storage services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,110,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,110,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 28 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
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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