Major Projects Partnership - Preliminary Market Engagement

contractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-06b11fProcurement Act 2023Utilities regimeplanning

Estimated value

works

Awarded value

Suppliers

0

Lots

1

0 awarded

Published

09 Jun 2026

This is a preliminary market engagement notice

Map the supplier landscape and document your shortlist before opening the tender. The market simulation produces a defensible audit record you can attach to your procurement file.

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Description

National Grid hereby informs the market of an upcoming opportunity and to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the works required for the Major Projects Partnership and the Major Projects QUDM it will be called off from. This will include primarily 33 to 132kV Substation Construction, Underground Cabling and Overhead Tower Line Construction and Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction works. ED3 (Electricity Distribution 3) refers to the next five-year electricity distribution price control period (2028-2033), set by Ofgem, which will determine how distribution network operators (DNOs) plan and invest in Britain's electricity system. It is important because it will shape the scale, pace and delivery of network upgrades needed to support growing demand, connect new generation, and enable the transition to low carbon technologies, while ensuring services remain reliable, affordable, and responsive to customer needs. Delivery will involve close collaboration with key partners, who will play a vital role in enabling investment in infrastructure, innovation and network resilience to meet the needs of customers and communities over the coming period. Substation Construction Works under Substation Construction comprise of the following indicative list, specific to working within a live high-voltage (primarily 33 to 132kV) distribution network substation environment, with a typical project estimated between £200,000 and £5million: Procurement and supply chain management Subcontractor management Civil engineering Protection and control systems installation, configuration and commissioning Mechanical and electrical installation, testing and commissioning An indicative list of work types is as follows: New Build AIS/GIS AIS/GIS Substation Extension Major AIS/GIS Substation Asset Replacement Operators may be required to procure products that are to be selected from a list of suppliers that has been pre-approved by National Grid, to accept free-issue equipment and services supplied from contracts that National Grid has placed, or to accept the novation of such a contract after it has been placed by National Grid, for example: Power transformers Protection and Control Gas Insulated Switchgear Air Insulated Switchgear Consumables National Grid is currently looking at awarding these works to contractors on a regional basis. Overhead Tower Line Construction Works under Overhead Tower Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Tower Overhead Line Construction works with typical project estimated between £500,000 and £20million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV): Consultation & Engagement Support the Client in the development of consultation materials as required Attend and present at consultation events and support the preparation of consultation responses Input into Consultation Report, liaise with Consents Integrator and engage with consultees as required Enabling Works: Pre-construction activities required before commencing the construction of main works including highway and service diversions, ground preparation and remediation, flood mitigation works, demolition of structures, soil stripping and removal, bridge construction, obtaining (including submission and payments of fees) of relevant permits and licences and environmental mitigation works Traffic management Landscaping Maintenance for agreed period of time within the planning permission and/or consent specification or as agreed with the relevant stakeholder and/or in line with Biodiversity Net Gain obligations These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction Works under Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction comprises of the following illustrative list for Wood Pole Line Construction works (primarily 33 to 132kV) with typical project estimated between £50,000 and £2million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works: Supply or collect free issue wood poles and install to National Grid specification Carry out all electrical works in accordance with designs for new and replacement overhead wood pole construction Traffic management These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Underground Cabling Works under Underground Cabling comprise of the following illustrative list for Underground Cabling Construction works with typical project estimated between £200,000 and £10million. Scope shall include but is not limited to, the following indicative types of works (primarily 33 to 132kV): Cable Jointing up to 132kV Provision of jointing resources for cable system installation using client-issued materials Jointing resources and equipment for non-client-issued jointing tasks Procurement and supply chain management Subcontractor management Civil engineering associated with the works Temporary works design for jointing techniques Cable Pulling: Delivery of all required cable pulling installations including supply (as required) access, cable trenches, duct installation, jointing, testing, backfilling and cable installation elements Cable Removal: Removal of existing buried HV cable equipment and any associated above ground equipment such as terminations, oil tanks or kiosks including their foundations National Grid is currently looking at awarding these works to contractors on a regional basis. Multi-Disciplinary Works These works are designed to allow Contractors to offer more than one service from the above areas as a package of works and covers the requirements of all the above works Contractors may be awarded works that covers two, three or all four of the work required in the above-described scope These works will typically include the largest and most complex of NGED's projects These works will be across all four DNO licence areas of NGED and successful contractors may be appointed nationally. Scope generally applicable to all work categories Liaison with and management of the interface with any affected landowner, statutory body or undertaker during the delivery of the works (e.g., Local Highways Authority, Network Rail, Environment Agency, Distribution Network Operators) Coordinate with Lands Team for survey access Assist with S172 evidence compilation and other requirements Planning, management, delivery and reporting of all surveys required to support the project at all stages of its lifecycle, including: Site walkover surveys to verify desktop work Borehole, Perform soil, Intrusive surveys (e.g., foundation inspections), Existing asset and Utility surveys Development of outline design, associated drawings and technical reporting required for inclusion within the planning and/or consent application and the construction works information Production of design, which is in accordance with the Client's requirements, eliminates hazards as far as reasonably practicable for the whole life of the assets, facilitates a safe and efficient construction phase and gives due regard to Client's environmental and sustainability requirements Enact the role of Principal Designer in accordance with the CDM regulations 2015 for the development and/or delivery phase and formerly appoint the Principal Designer Representative as required Review the System Design Specification for completeness and identify any gaps Review any design works prior to engagement to understand any limitations and restrictions to be carried forward into the subsequent design stage Discharge relevant conditions associated with any approved planning permission and/or consent to ensure these are factored into the detailed design Proactively engage and share design information with other design disciplines involved in the project(s) to ensure that all requirements are considered such that a robust, holistic design can be achieved Effectively manage design change ensuring that appropriate communication channels are maintained and document/drawing version control well established Responsible for the detailed design, including construction and maintenance design, temporary works design and detailed electrical safety design Design management and coordination to reduce interface risk Design and provision of all temporary and permanent access to enable the construction and maintenance of the works Site Establishment: Establishment of construction welfare compounds for the delivery of the whole or parts of the project including supply and installation of site welfare facilities, fencing and site security, temporary connections for water, drainage, and electricity, and removal of site establishment upon project completion with reinstatement of disturbed ground Project & Programme Management Site management, including acting as Principal Contractor under the CDM Regulations Deliver the works in accordance with all National Grid Management of Works procedures Proactively manage, in line with industry best practise, all aspects of the works in terms of safety, quality, security and environmental compliance Liaise with all affected Landowners/Grantors affected by the works Liaise with Client site staff including operational and project delivery teams Ensure that all site records are maintained, and that site document control is properly managed Provision of all requirements to maintain a safe and secure site in line with National Grid policies and procedures Temporary Works: Design, management and provision of all temporary works required for the delivery of the scope Ensure sufficient and competent resources are deployed on the project to deliver the project in accordance with all National Grid standards and specifications Support the Client at any technical stakeholder meetings This Preliminary Market Engagement does not constitute a commitment by National Grid to commence a procurement or to award a contract.

Scope

Reference
ocds-h6vhtk-06b11f
Total value
Above the relevant threshold
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
24 Jun 2027 to 31 Mar 2033
Main category
works
CPV classifications
31321100
45232220
45314300
Contract locations
East Midlands, United Kingdom
West Midlands, United Kingdom
South West England, United Kingdom
Wales, United Kingdom