---
title: "Engineering Support Services 2025"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD"
published: "2025-10-17"
---

# Engineering Support Services 2025

Buyer: NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7

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## Summary

The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), a central government public authority based in Edinburgh, is in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Engineering Support Services 2025." This procurement aims to secure external engineering support services to bolster NLB's in-house capabilities, specifically for their Asset Management and Project Delivery teams. The procurement covers a wide range of engineering services including inspections, feasibility studies, and design work, with tasks spanning across mainland Scotland, the Northern and Western Isles, and the Isle of Man. Interested parties should note the market engagement phase is currently scheduled, with a questionnaire deadline on 31 October 2025 and the contract notice anticipated to be issued by late 2025.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in architectural, construction, engineering, and inspection services. It provides a platform for firms equipped to handle challenging environments and remote locations to contribute to the maintenance and development of the NLB's infrastructure. The framework agreement is envisaged to run for four years, with an optional extension of up to two additional years, making it ideal for businesses capable of offering flexible, call-off support. Firms that have expertise in structural and civil engineering, as well as experience with NEC Professional Services Contracts, will find this opportunity particularly lucrative. Companies with robust strategies for rapid mobilisation and the ability to operate in extreme coastal conditions with heritage asset considerations are well-suited to compete and grow through this engagement.

## Notice

NLB requires external engineering support to provide technical expertise not available in-house. This includes inspections, feasibility studies, design work, and specialist advice across a wide range of infrastructure projects and maintenance tasks. Services will support the Asset Management and Project Delivery teams by supplementing internal resources in areas such as structural and civil engineering, inspections, load assessments, and technical documentation including specifications and bills of quantities. It is anticipated that the single supplier framework will run for four years (+ 2 optional extension years) and offer flexible, call-off support to help NLB respond to emerging needs and maintain its infrastructure effectively. Internal teams lack certain technical skills needed for complex assessments, inspections, and design. The supplier must provide access to qualified engineers with relevant experience. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Edinburgh:-Architectural%2C-construction%2C-engineering-and-inspection-services./Q9PR6QW2PC To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/respond/Q9PR6QW2PC

### Planning Information

MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Engineering Support Services
Reference: ENAS/ENSS/2373
1. Introduction
The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) is conducting early market engagement ahead of a planned procurement for the provision of Engineering Support Services. This exercise is designed to identify supplier interest, inform the contracting approach, and shape the forthcoming Invitation to Tender (ITT), which is expected to be issued late 2025.
It is anticipated that the framework agreement will run for four years, with an option to extend by up to two additional years.
2. Project Summary
NLB is seeking access to professional engineering support services to supplement its in-house Asset Management and Project Delivery teams. This includes:
•Feasibility studies and structural design
•Engineering inspections and surveys
•Technical reporting and recommendations
•Specification writing and bill of quantities
•Ad hoc consultancy across engineering disciplines
Services may be required for both planned and reactive work and will support the ongoing maintenance and development of NLB’s infrastructure estate.
3. Geographical Scope
Services may be required at sites across:
•Mainland Scotland
•The Northern and Western Isles, including Orkney and Shetland
•Isle of Man
Many sites are remote and exposed, requiring access by boat, helicopter, or 4x4 vehicles. Suppliers must be prepared to work in challenging environments with limited accessibility.
4. Key Challenges and Considerations
•Exposure to extreme coastal conditions (wind, sea spray, corrosion)
•Heritage assets over 100 years old with limited records
•Logistical issues (weather, transport, daylight, tides)
•Rapid mobilisation for urgent/emergency inspections
•Coordinating multiple small projects concurrently
•Strong collaboration with NLB’s internal staff and contractors
•Work primarily coordinated from NLB’s Edinburgh HQ
5. Procurement and Commercial Strategy
It is anticipated that the contract will be procured under a two-stage process, however this has not been confirmed:
1.Selection Questionnaire (SQ): compliance and capability checks
2.Invitation to Tender (ITT): technical and commercial evaluation-
•The contract will be let under the NEC Professional Services Contract (PSC)
•No incumbent handover is expected, so mobilisation will be key
•Commercial and performance oversight will be managed jointly by NLB Procurement and Assets Teams
•Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regular reviews, and reports will ensure quality and value delivery
6. Previous Example Projects
•Rattray Head Lighthouse Davit Design
•Buildings Principal Inspections
•Chicken Rock and Bell Rock Crane WLL Assessments
•Habitats Regulations Appraisal Screening and Nations Designated Sites Screening Assessment
•Shore to Ship Power Feasibility Study
•Dubh Artach and Bell Rock Entrance Platform Designs
•Skerryvore Structural Modelling
7. Key Dates (Indicative Timeline)
Market Engagement- Oct 2025
Contract Notice & ITT Issued- Late 2025
ITT Return Date- Early 2026
Contract Start- Early 2026
8. Indicative Pipeline of Work
Oban Shore to Ship Design Work
Oban Electrical Upgrades Design Work
Pillar Rock Entrance Level Platform Design
Balcony Level Extension & Solar Arrays Design
Structural Assessment of Platforms
Ad Hoc Design Support (Elec/Civil/Mech)
Drawings from Marked-Up Drawings
Convert Hard Copy Drawings to CAD
Cliff Movement Monitoring
Pillar Rock Modal Analysis
Environmental Impact Assessments
Structural Assessment (Various)
Low Carbon Heating – Feasibility & Design
Detailed Design of Low Carbon System
Environmental Screening Report Follow-Up
Ground Investigations – New AtoN Sites
Note: This pipeline is indicative only and subject to change.
9. Market Engagement Questionnaire
Please respond to the questions below and submit your completed questionnaire by 
Friday, 31 October 2025, 16:00 to: Graham.Allan@nlb.org.uk
A. Contracting and Commercial Model
1.Are you familiar with NEC contracts, and would you be comfortable operating under NEC PSC terms?
2.Would you propose call-offs via NEC Task Orders or another method?
3.What levels of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance do you hold?
4.Would you accept a liability cap based on 10x commission value or a £10M fixed cap?
5.What indexation model would you propose (e.g. CPI, ONS AWE Index – K64–K66)?
B. Delivery and Subcontracting
6.Which of the following services can you deliver in-house?
– Civil Engineering
– Structural Engineering
– M&E Design
– CAD Drawing Production
– Environmental Studies
– Feasibility Reports
– Heritage Building Assessments
7.What services would be subcontracted? Please name likely subcontractors if known.
8.Are you able to deploy to remote locations quickly? What are typical lead times?
C. Scope and Capability
9.Please provide 2–3 relevant examples of similar work or frameworks.
10.Can you support delivery across all NLB locations (incl. remote islands)?
11.How would you contribute to low-carbon and resilient infrastructure design?
D. Classification and Framework Access
12.Do you classify these services as professional consultancy or technical engineering?
13.Are you listed on any frameworks or DPS (e.g. CCS RM6165)?
Note: Questionnaire responses will not be scored but will inform the structure and strategy of the forthcoming procurement process.
10. Next Steps
To register your interest and submit your completed questionnaire, please email:
Graham Allan
Procurement Specialist
Graham.Allan@nlb.org.uk
Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025 at 16:00

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066267-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 Dec 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2026 - 1 Jan 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,800,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH2 3DA |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh North and Leith |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 71310000 - Consultative engineering and construction services
- 71311000 - Civil engineering consultancy services
- 71312000 - Structural engineering consultancy services
- 71320000 - Engineering design services
- 71322000 - Engineering design services for the construction of civil engineering works
- 71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services
- 71334000 - Mechanical and electrical engineering services
- 71336000 - Engineering support services
- 71631400 - Technical inspection services of engineering structures

## Release History

- 17 Oct 2025 at 11:05 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066267-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066267-2025
  17th October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/respond/Q9PR6QW2PC
- https://nlb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Edinburgh:-Architectural%2C-construction%2C-engineering-and-inspection-services./Q9PR6QW2PC
- 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-05ceb7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceb7.json.