--- title: "SONI064 - DS3 System Services - Volume Capped - Gate 13" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055192" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055192" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055192.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055192.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SONI LTD" published: "2025-06-23" --- # SONI064 - DS3 System Services - Volume Capped - Gate 13 Buyer: SONI LTD Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055192 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055192) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055192.json) ## Summary SONI Ltd, a private utility operating under Northern Irish devolved regulations, has initiated an open procurement process titled "SONI064 – DS3 System Services – Volume Capped – Gate 13". This tender aims to address the integration challenges of variable non-synchronous renewable generation in the energy sector. The procurement method is an open procedure focused on energy and related services across the United Kingdom. Key milestones include the enquiry period ending on 4th July 2025 and the submission of bids by 23rd July 2025. The expected contract commencement for successful bidders is from 1st October 2025, lasting initially until 30th April 2026, with the potential for extensions. This tender offers promising prospects for businesses specialising in energy services, particularly those adept at managing renewable energy integration and services such as operating reserves, ramping margins, and fast frequency response. Companies with expertise in technical assessments, as reflected by the award criteria, are encouraged to submit proposals. The procurement process supports the participation of SMEs, making it an appealing opportunity for smaller enterprises seeking to expand their market offerings and leverage innovation. Businesses serving the utilities sector and capable of fulfilling technical specifications will find substantial growth opportunities through this substantial €79.7 million contract. ## Notice Following review by the Regulatory Authorities of the TSOs' Report on Ensuring a Secure, Reliable and Efficient Power System in July 2011 the TSOs were requested by the SEM Committee to put in place a programme of work to solve the challenges associated with increased levels of penetration of variable non-synchronous renewable generation. ### Lot Information POR L1NI - Primary Operating Reserve Primary Operating Reserve or 'POR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SOR L2NI - Secondary Operating Reserve Secondary Operating reserve or 'SOR' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. TOR1 L3NI - Tertiary 1 Operating Reserve Tertiary 1 operating reserve or 'TOR1' has the meaning given to it in the grid code. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. TOR2 L4NI - Tertiary 2 Operating Reserve Tertiary 2 operating reserve or 'TOR2' has the meaning given to it in the grid code Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RRD L5NI - Replacement Reserve (De-Synchronised) RR (De-synchronised)' means replacement reserve provided by the providing unit when: (i) not Synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level less or equal to 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system in the case of a demand side unit Renewal: Option for each TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RRS L6NI - Replacement Reserve (Synchronised) RR (Synchronised)' means Replacement Reserve provided by the Providing Unit when: (i) synchronised to the power system in the case of a synchronous providing unit, or (ii) when connected to the power system and operating at a level greater than 0 MW in the case of an energy storage providing unit or power park module. II.2.5) Award criteri Renewal: Option for each TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SSRP L7NI - Steady State Reactive Powe Steady-state reactive power or 'SSRP' means reactive power capability (Leading) and reactive power capability Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. SIR L8NI - Synchronous Inertial Respons Synchronous Inertial Response (SIR) is the kinetic energy (at a Frequency of 50 Hz) of a centrally dispatched synchronous providing unit multiplied by the SIR factor (SIRF) Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RM1 L9NI - Ramping Margin 1 Hour Ramping Margin 1 is the increased MW Output and/or MW Reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within one hour of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further two hours after the one hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that three hour period. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme RM3 L10NI - Ramping Margin 3 Hour Ramping Margin 3 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within three hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 5 hours after the 3 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 8 hour period Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. RM8 L11NI - Ramping Margin 8 Hou Ramping Margin 8 is the increased MW Output and/or MW reduction that a providing unit can provide to the company within eight hours of the company issuing a dispatch instruction to a service provider and that the providing unit can maintain for a further 8 hours after the 8 hour period has elapsed. It is limited by the lowest availability in that 16 hour period. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. FFR L12NI - Fast Frequency Response Fast Frequency Response (FFR) is the additional MW Output or MW reduction required compared to the pre- incident MW output or MW reduction, which is fully available from a providing unit within 2 seconds after the start of an event and sustainable up to 10 seconds after the start of the event. Renewal: Option for TSO to extend the term of its Contract in respect of any or all of its applicable Lots in certain defined cases, at the discretion of the Contracting Entity. This option might apply where, for instance, there is a delay in completing the procurement for any subsequent phases envisaged under the DS3 Programme. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034327-2025 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Jun 2025 | | Submission deadline | 23 Jul 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Sep 2025 - 30 Apr 2026 | | Recurrence | 2026-01-01 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £79,685,074 | | Lots value | £79,685,074 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SONI LTD | | Locality | BELFAST | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT6 9RT | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN0E Lisburn and Castlereagh | | Local authority | Lisburn and Castlereagh | | Electoral ward | Moneyreagh | | Westminster constituency | Belfast South and Mid Down | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services ### Codes - 71314000 - Energy and related services ## Release History - 23 Jun 2025 at 10:45 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034327-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034327-2025 23rd June 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.soni.ltd.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055192. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055192.json.