---
title: "Marine Consultancy Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-042bf0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-042bf0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042bf0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042bf0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED"
published: "2025-12-03"
---

# Marine Consultancy Framework

Buyer: NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-042bf0

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## Summary

The procurement process led by National Grid UK Limited aims to establish a comprehensive Marine Consultancy Framework to assist in offshore cable laying as part of the Great Grid Upgrade. The framework involves a multitude of consultancy services across various disciplines, including subsea cable technical consultancy, unexploded ordnance risk management, metocean analytics, marine survey support, and HVDC/HVAC platform engineering services. This tender is classified under marine research services, primarily servicing the United Kingdom and several European countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. The procurement process follows a negotiated procedure with the involvement of multiple stakeholders, offering an initial contract period of six years with an extension option for an additional two years. Interested suppliers had to register through the Ariba portal by 13 February 2024, indicating their interest in participating and completing the required pre-qualification documentation.

This framework creates significant opportunities for business growth in marine consultancy services, particularly for firms with expertise in offshore engineering, environmental consultation, and marine systems compliance. Large corporations and SMEs alike are encouraged to partake, including those capable of managing complex, multidisciplinary marine projects, such as Jacobs U.K. Limited, Mott MacDonald Limited, and ABP Marine Environmental Research Limited. With procurement value in millions of GBP and an expansive international footprint, participating companies benefit from binding agreements that promise substantial revenue streams and collaborative opportunities with major energy and transmission operators. This tender is especially suitable for businesses offering strong technical solutions and competitive commercial propositions, with award criteria placing a 40% weightage on technical quality and 60% on cost-effectiveness.

## Notice

National Grid is an international Electricity and Gas Network Company based in the UK with operations in north-eastern US, and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. National Grid are looking to set up a multi-year Marine Consultancy Framework to service offshore cable laying as part of the Great Grid Upgrade. The Framework will cover the full gamut of consultancy disciplines required to support end to end marine projects. Including Subsea Cable Technical Consultancy, Unexploded Ordinance (UXO ALARP), Metocean, Marine Survey Support and HVDC/HVAC Platform Engineering Services. The Framework will be developed in line with National Grid processes, other best practice guidance i.e. DNVGL-RP-0360 and European Subsea Cables Association guidelines.

### Lot Information

Offshore Consultancy Support

Marine Technical Consultant (MTC) will support the marine route selection work being undertaken by the separately appointed Marine Environmental Consultant. As part of this, the MTC shall provide technical input to the marine routeing and landfall options selection. Fisheries Liaison Office (FLO) shall perform a desktop fisheries activity analysis, for input into the selection of the marine cable route corridor by other consultants. In addition, the FLO shall draft a Fisheries Engagement Strategy to inform project consultations and future works at site. Onsite Client Reps (OCRs) may be required to deploy as representatives of NG and partner organisations during operations throughout the project life cycle. Additional information: National Grid UK Limited will conduct the procurement and enter into the framework agreement with the successfully appointed suppliers for its own benefit and for the benefit of the entities identified below. National Grid UK Limited or any of the following entities shall be entitled to call off from the framework agreement and enter into contracts resulting from the call off: 1. Any parent undertakings or subsidiary undertakings (each term as defined in section 1162 Companies Act 2006 except that references in that section to "majority" shall be replaced by reference to "25% or more") of National Grid UK Limited and any subsidiary undertakings of any such parent undertakings at the time of the call off including without limitation: a) National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc b) National Grid LionLink Limited c) National Grid Nautilus Limited d) National Grid Continental Limited e) National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited f) National Grid Interconnectors Limited g) National Grid North Sea Link Limited- h) National Grid Viking Link Limited i) National Grid IFA 2 Limited j) National Grid NSN Link Limited k) National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc 2. Any entity that is acting as a project partner with any National Grid call off partner (identified in paragraph 1 above) and which calls off jointly with any such National Grid entity including, without limitation,: a) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc b) TenneT TSO B.V. c) TenneT TSO GmbH d) TenneT Offshore GmbH e) Elia Asset NV/SA f) Energinet Eltransmission A/S g) Statnett SF h) Transmission system operators and other developers and/or operators of HVDC projects; and/or 3. Any special purpose vehicle, incorporated joint venture or contractual joint venture, between any of the parties identified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. It should be noted that, whilst National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited and any of its subsidiaries whether current or future, which hold an interconnector licence, and National Grid Interconnectors Limited, are included within the scope of the Marine Survey Framework agreement, and therefore entitled to call off under it, these entities are not subject to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or any other relevant procurement regime. These entities' participation in this procurement process and/or the framework agreement does not cause them to be subject to those rules in whole or in part.

Options: Initial term of 6 years, with optional extension of 2 years (8 years total).

Renewal: Plus 2 years plus 1 year

Survey Support

onduct a comprehensive review of all applicable regulatory requirements for the vessels planned scopes of operation. These should include but not be limited to International, national and local regulations as applicable to the contract. The review should identify all specific regulations relevant to the vessels planned operations and ensure compliance throughout the duration on task. To ensure data meets the required specification National Grid require data across the following marine survey equipment types to be checked for quality and compliance: Bathymetry Seabed classification (from backscatter, side-scan sonar, and samples (physical and imagery) Topography (point cloud and imagery) Sub surface geology (from sub-bottom profilers, core penetration tests and core samples) Anthropomorphic object detection (from magnetometer cross referenced with bathymetry and side-scan sonar). Assurance of data from ancillary systems may also be required: GNSS systems USBL systems Additional information: National Grid UK Limited will conduct the procurement and enter into the framework agreement with the successfully appointed suppliers for its own benefit and for the benefit of the entities identified below. National Grid UK Limited or any of the following entities shall be entitled to call off from the framework agreement and enter into contracts resulting from the call off: 1. Any parent undertakings or subsidiary undertakings (each term as defined in section 1162 Companies Act 2006 except that references in that section to "majority" shall be replaced by reference to "25% or more") of National Grid UK Limited and any subsidiary undertakings of any such parent undertakings at the time of the call off including without limitation: a) National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc b) National Grid LionLink Limited c) National Grid Nautilus Limited d) National Grid Continental Limited e) National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited f) National Grid Interconnectors Limited g) National Grid North Sea Link Limited- h) National Grid Viking Link Limited i) National Grid IFA 2 Limited j) National Grid NSN Link Limited k) National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc 2. Any entity that is acting as a project partner with any National Grid call off partner (identified in paragraph 1 above) and which calls off jointly with any such National Grid entity including, without limitation,: a) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc b) TenneT TSO B.V. c) TenneT TSO GmbH d) TenneT Offshore GmbH e) Elia Asset NV/SA f) Energinet Eltransmission A/S g) Statnett SF h) Transmission system operators and other developers and/or operators of HVDC projects; and/or 3. Any special purpose vehicle, incorporated joint venture or contractual joint venture, between any of the parties identified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. It should be noted that, whilst National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited and any of its subsidiaries whether current or future, which hold an interconnector licence, and National Grid Interconnectors Limited, are included within the scope of the Marine Survey Framework agreement, and therefore entitled to call off under it, these entities are not subject to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or any other relevant procurement regime. These entities' participation in this procurement process and/or the framework agreement does not cause them to be subject to those rules in whole or in part.

Options: Initial term of 6 years, with optional extension of 2 years (8 years total).

Renewal: Plus 2 years plus 1 year

Marine UXO Consultant

The UXO Consultant shall provide a review of legislation and Best Practice Guidance for Marine UXO in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone. The review should highlight the standards for the planning, design, delivery, operation and maintenance, decommissioning or regulation of projects in the marine environment for UXO risk. The review should focus on abandoned explosive ordnance (such as sea-dumped munitions or abandoned ship or aircraft wrecks), rather than chemical warfare agents. The review shall provide a review of the known industry techniques (and their effectiveness) for lower noise alternatives to high order detonation of UXOs within the marine environment. Additional information: National Grid UK Limited will conduct the procurement and enter into the framework agreement with the successfully appointed suppliers for its own benefit and for the benefit of the entities identified below. National Grid UK Limited or any of the following entities shall be entitled to call off from the framework agreement and enter into contracts resulting from the call off: 1. Any parent undertakings or subsidiary undertakings (each term as defined in section 1162 Companies Act 2006 except that references in that section to "majority" shall be replaced by reference to "25% or more") of National Grid UK Limited and any subsidiary undertakings of any such parent undertakings at the time of the call off including without limitation: a) National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc b) National Grid LionLink Limited c) National Grid Nautilus Limited d) National Grid Continental Limited e) National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited f) National Grid Interconnectors Limited g) National Grid North Sea Link Limited- h) National Grid Viking Link Limited i) National Grid IFA 2 Limited j) National Grid NSN Link Limited k) National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc 2. Any entity that is acting as a project partner with any National Grid call off partner (identified in paragraph 1 above) and which calls off jointly with any such National Grid entity including, without limitation,: a) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc b) TenneT TSO B.V. c) TenneT TSO GmbH d) TenneT Offshore GmbH e) Elia Asset NV/SA f) Energinet Eltransmission A/S g) Statnett SF h) Transmission system operators and other developers and/or operators of HVDC projects; and/or 3. Any special purpose vehicle, incorporated joint venture or contractual joint venture, between any of the parties identified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. It should be noted that, whilst National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited and any of its subsidiaries whether current or future, which hold an interconnector licence, and National Grid Interconnectors Limited, are included within the scope of the Marine Survey Framework agreement, and therefore entitled to call off under it, these entities are not subject to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or any other relevant procurement regime. These entities' participation in this procurement process and/or the framework agreement does not cause them to be subject to those rules in whole or in part.

Options: Initial term of 6 years, with optional extension of 2 years (8 years total).

Renewal: Plus 2 years plus 1 year

Weather/Metocean

To better understand project timelines, risks and costs, there is a requirement to understand the environment prior to, during and after the several project stages that make up a successful marine project. To this end the Client requires the following types of analysis / reports to inform the planning and successful completion of its marine works: Projects weather forecasts based on climatological data for planning and contractor assessments. Weather downtime predictions for marine works. Tidal stream and oceanic current modelling to assist in offshore engineering design. Additional information: National Grid UK Limited will conduct the procurement and enter into the framework agreement with the successfully appointed suppliers for its own benefit and for the benefit of the entities identified below. National Grid UK Limited or any of the following entities shall be entitled to call off from the framework agreement and enter into contracts resulting from the call off: 1. Any parent undertakings or subsidiary undertakings (each term as defined in section 1162 Companies Act 2006 except that references in that section to "majority" shall be replaced by reference to "25% or more") of National Grid UK Limited and any subsidiary undertakings of any such parent undertakings at the time of the call off including without limitation: a) National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc b) National Grid LionLink Limited c) National Grid Nautilus Limited d) National Grid Continental Limited e) National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited f) National Grid Interconnectors Limited g) National Grid North Sea Link Limited- h) National Grid Viking Link Limited i) National Grid IFA 2 Limited j) National Grid NSN Link Limited k) National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc 2. Any entity that is acting as a project partner with any National Grid call off partner (identified in paragraph 1 above) and which calls off jointly with any such National Grid entity including, without limitation,: a) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc b) TenneT TSO B.V. c) TenneT TSO GmbH d) TenneT Offshore GmbH e) Elia Asset NV/SA f) Energinet Eltransmission A/S g) Statnett SF h) Transmission system operators and other developers and/or operators of HVDC projects; and/or 3. Any special purpose vehicle, incorporated joint venture or contractual joint venture, between any of the parties identified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. It should be noted that, whilst National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited and any of its subsidiaries whether current or future, which hold an interconnector licence, and National Grid Interconnectors Limited, are included within the scope of the Marine Survey Framework agreement, and therefore entitled to call off under it, these entities are not subject to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or any other relevant procurement regime. These entities' participation in this procurement process and/or the framework agreement does not cause them to be subject to those rules in whole or in part.

Options: Initial term of 6 years, with optional extension of 2 years (8 years total).

Renewal: Plus 2 years plus 1 year

HVDC Platform Engineering Services

Support the Client with Platform knowledge and expertise. A range of tasks and responsibilities aimed at ensuring that the project is executed according to the specifications, schedule, and budget. This work will include but not limited to Platform related tasks: * Technical advisor, subject matter expert for all things 'Platform'. * Creating, developing, and reviewing Platform technical documentation. * Performing quality assurance and quality control on all designs, drawings and relevant materials that are produced by others relating to the Platform. * Providing and managing all necessary markups, feedback, comments, and edits. * Maintaining and tracking Platform submissions, drawings, applications, etc. * Design review and management. * Procurement support. * Project management support. * Programme management support. * Offshore Platform Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance. The Technical Consultant (TC) will support the platform feasibility and concept evaluation work to help ensure that the HND solutions are technically viable, and economically and environmentally sustainable. The results of this SoW will be critical in the decision making for the project. The works will be used in communications with decision makers, management, investors, Ofgem and various stakeholders. Additional information: National Grid UK Limited will conduct the procurement and enter into the framework agreement with the successfully appointed suppliers for its own benefit and for the benefit of the entities identified below. National Grid UK Limited or any of the following entities shall be entitled to call off from the framework agreement and enter into contracts resulting from the call off: 1. Any parent undertakings or subsidiary undertakings (each term as defined in section 1162 Companies Act 2006 except that references in that section to "majority" shall be replaced by reference to "25% or more") of National Grid UK Limited and any subsidiary undertakings of any such parent undertakings at the time of the call off including without limitation: a) National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc b) National Grid LionLink Limited c) National Grid Nautilus Limited d) National Grid Continental Limited e) National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited f) National Grid Interconnectors Limited g) National Grid North Sea Link Limited- h) National Grid Viking Link Limited i) National Grid IFA 2 Limited j) National Grid NSN Link Limited k) National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc 2. Any entity that is acting as a project partner with any National Grid call off partner (identified in paragraph 1 above) and which calls off jointly with any such National Grid entity including, without limitation,: a) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc b) TenneT TSO B.V. c) TenneT TSO GmbH d) TenneT Offshore GmbH e) Elia Asset NV/SA f) Energinet Eltransmission A/S g) Statnett SF h) Transmission system operators and other developers and/or operators of HVDC projects; and/or 3. Any special purpose vehicle, incorporated joint venture or contractual joint venture, between any of the parties identified in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. It should be noted that, whilst National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited and any of its subsidiaries whether current or future, which hold an interconnector licence, and National Grid Interconnectors Limited, are included within the scope of the Marine Survey Framework agreement, and therefore entitled to call off under it, these entities are not subject to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or any other relevant procurement regime. These entities' participation in this procurement process and/or the framework agreement does not cause them to be subject to those rules in whole or in part.

Options: Initial term of 6 years, with optional extension of 2 years (8 years total).

Renewal: Plus 2 years plus 1 year

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079462-2025 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Feb 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 23 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £45,000,000 |
| Lots value | £45,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £207,500,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL GRID UK LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | Central London |
| Postcode | WC2N 5EH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ44 East Kent |
| Local authority | Dover |
| Electoral ward | Sandwich |
| Westminster constituency | Herne Bay and Sandwich |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLG West Midlands (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLN Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 16 |
| Supplier names | 6 ALPHA ASSOCIATES; ABP MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH; AKER SOLUTIONS; DNV SERVICES; ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT; HYDROFIX; JACOBS; METOC; MOTT MACDONALD; OFFSHORE WIND CONSULTANTS; OVE ARUP & PARTNERS; RED PENGUIN ASSOCIATES; TETRA TECH RPS ENERGY; TGS 4C OFFSHORE; WOOD GROUP; XODUS GROUP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73112000 - Marine research services

## Release History

- 3 Dec 2025 at 16:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079462-2025
- 3 Apr 2024 at 09:10 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010688-2024
- 14 Feb 2024 at 16:01 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004975-2024
- 10 Jan 2024 at 11:20 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000758-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ariba.com
- https://www.nationalgrid.com/

## Provenance

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