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C280 (2027) Supply Low Voltage Cable Jointing Systems

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Oct 2026 at 14:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) plans to buy low-voltage cable jointing systems and related products for use across its electricity distribution network in Northern Ireland. The anticipated requirement covers resin compounds, insulation compounds, joint shells and complete cable jointing systems, including products that complement or improve the systems already in use. This is a supply contract for cable joints and joining kits (CPV 31224800). NIE Networks is consulting the market to understand suppliers’ capabilities, available solutions and developments in the sector before shaping the procurement. It is also seeking insight into innovations that could improve safety, reliability, installation efficiency, sustainability and security of supply.

The process is at the planning stage: NIE Networks is conducting preliminary market engagement before starting the procurement, and there is no invitation to tender yet. The buyer expects to establish a framework, with separate framework agreements for appointed suppliers. It anticipates a five-year term, with an option to extend by up to three years, giving a potential maximum duration of eight years. Estimated spend is up to £15.5 million across that potential duration. NIE Networks expects to publish a further notice around 1 March 2027. Suppliers interested in the market-engagement event were asked to register through eSourcingNI by 13 November 2026, provide relevant supply experience and name up to four attendees per organisation. The buyer may shortlist event attendees if demand exceeds capacity, based on directly relevant experience.

The engagement is most relevant to manufacturers and suppliers of low-voltage cable jointing systems, cable joints, resin and insulation compounds, and joint shells, as well as businesses with complementary products or technologies. Suppliers with direct experience supplying products of this kind are particularly well placed to contribute, since NIE Networks may use relevant experience to select attendees if the event is oversubscribed. This is a chance to inform the buyer’s understanding of the market and help shape its procurement strategy before competition begins. NIE Networks is interested in emerging technologies, innovative products and best practice that could strengthen safety, reliability, installation efficiency, sustainability or security of supply. Suppliers able to demonstrate practical benefits in these areas, while meeting the needs of an electricity distribution network, should prepare relevant evidence and solutions for the future procurement. Participation in engagement is not required to compete later.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

C280 (2027) Supply Low Voltage Cable Jointing Systems

Notice Description

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) intends to establish a framework arrangement under which it shall appoint suppliers to enter into separate framework agreements for C280 (2027) Supply Low Voltage Cable Jointing Systems. It is anticipated that each framework agreement awarded will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting authority 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. NIE Networks estimates that the total spend under framework agreements could be up to PS15.5 million 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 C280 (2027) Supply Low Voltage Cable Jointing Systems. This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract C280 (2027), identify potential solutions and develop an effective procurement strategy. NIE Networks anticipates an ongoing requirement for resin compounds, insulation compounds, joint shells and complete low voltage cable jointing systems. Through this engagement, NIE Networks also wishes to understand developments within the market and identify any innovative products, technologies or approaches that could provide additional benefits in areas such as safety, reliability, installation efficiency, sustainability and security of supply. NIE Networks currently utilises a range of Low Voltage Cable Jointing Systems across its distribution network. While these products will continue to form a core part of operational requirements, NIE Networks is keen to engage with the market to understand emerging technologies, product developments and best practices that may complement or enhance existing solutions.

Planning Information

Interested parties should register their interest in this PME supplier information event via eSourcingNI (https://e-sourcingni.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml). A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) envelope has been created named "pqq_4773" within Project "project_29324" to supply suppliers with preliminary information and to express their interest in participating in the PME supplier information event. Please note that a draft specification will be available to suppliers defining NIE Networks' requirements so that suppliers can understand these requirements in advance of expressing an interest in this PME supplier information event. Suppliers must express interest in participating in the PME supplier information event by applying to attend via the messaging function within the PQQ on eSourcingNI. As part of the application to participate in PME, suppliers must provide a short description of their experience of supplying products of the nature outlined in the draft specification. In your response you must provide the name(s) and contact email addresses of who will attend. Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of 4 attendees per organisation. Should the PME supplier information event be oversubscribed NIE Networks reserves the right to shortlist attendees based on direct relevant experience in this area. This PQQ will close at 3.00pm on 13 November 2026 and NIE Networks cannot accept applications to participate in the PME supplier information event after this time. Upon receipt of suppliers' expressions of interest, NIE Networks will provide additional information with further instructions on how to participate in the PME supplier information event. Suppliers are also encouraged to identify any emerging technologies, innovative products or complementary solutions relevant to low voltage cable jointing systems that may be of interest to NIE Networks. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PME Notice or the PME supplier information event. Participation or non-participation in the PME supplier information event shall not prevent any interested parties from participating in any subsequent procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078cee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099516-2026
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

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

CPV Codes

31224800 - Cable joining kits

31342000 - Insulated cable junctions

31343000 - Insulated cable joints

44300000 - Cable, wire and related products

44320000 - Cable and related products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Mar 20275 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2027 - 31 Oct 2032 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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