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Contractor Partnership to support our secondary network underground cabling & overhead wood pole works

National Grid UK Limited · Private utility

In brief

National Grid UK Limited has announced plans to buy construction and electrical work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

It is a framework worth up to £1,250,000,000 including VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 5 years, up to 10 years with extensions, starting 7 September 2028.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually high: a median of 8 bids per contract for construction contracts in this region (from 467 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £1,250,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

The contracting entity for this framework is National Grid UK Limited, but will be available for use by any of the Group subsidiary companies within the National Grid UK Limited Group. This includes, but is not limited to National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Grid Ventures, National Grid Electricity Distribution East Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution West Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution South West and National Grid Electricity Distribution South Wales. National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is providing early market visibility of a forthcoming procurement opportunity and is seeking interest and feedback from suitably experienced contractors…Read the full description
The contracting entity for this framework is National Grid UK Limited, but will be available for use by any of the Group subsidiary companies within the National Grid UK Limited Group. This includes, but is not limited to National Grid Electricity Transmission, National Grid Ventures, National Grid Electricity Distribution East Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution West Midlands, National Grid Electricity Distribution South West and National Grid Electricity Distribution South Wales. National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is providing early market visibility of a forthcoming procurement opportunity and is seeking interest and feedback from suitably experienced contractors capable of delivering network construction works across its four licence areas. The future framework, the Contractor Partnership to support our secondary network underground cabling & overhead wood pole works, is expected to encompass a broad range of electricity network construction and infrastructure activities, including: Underground (UG) Construction works from LV up to 33kV. Overhead Line (OHL) Wood Pole Construction works from LV up to 66kV. NGED is seeking engagement from suppliers with the capability and capacity to deliver these services across one or more regions, with the potential for the framework to be structured into regional lots. Feedback received through this market engagement exercise will help inform the development of the procurement strategy, scope, and contracting model for the future framework arrangement. 1. Overhead Wood Pole Line Construction The framework will cover: Construction, refurbishment, replacement and dismantling of LV, 11kV, 33kV and 66kV Overhead Line Wood Pole networks. Installation, removal and replacement of associated plant, switchgear and supporting infrastructure. Associated customer service works, including service transfers, cut-out replacements and property connections where required. Highway-based works, including traffic management and, where specified, excavation and reinstatement activities. Line patrols and pole inspections, including recording and reporting of inspection findings. Network SAP/Switching activities when required. Planned and emergency response services, including support during major weather events across all NGED licence areas. Delivery partners will be expected to: Work in accordance with NGED policies, standards and approved construction techniques. Demonstrate competence, training and suitable procedures that align with NGED requirements. Maintain the capability to safely deliver overhead line works from LV through to 66kV. Support NGED's customer service obligations and operational performance requirements. Provide appropriately trained and competent resources to undertake both planned and emergency works. NGED is currently considering awarding these works on a regional basis. 2. Underground Cabling Construction Scope includes all aspects of LV to 33kV Underground work, including: Cable trenching, duct installation, cable pulling and installation Cable jointing up to 33kV using client-supplied materials Unplanned/emergency works Unlooping services Testing, backfill and reinstatement Subcontractor management Option of end-to-end delivery of underground projects Traffic Management NGED is currently considering awarding these works on a regional basis. 3. Other Requirements Applicable to both Categories Successful contractors will be expected to provide: Design & Consents: Survey planning and delivery Utility, asset and ground investigations Outline and detailed design development Design management and coordination Electrical safety design Planning and consent support CDM & HSEQ Responsibilities: Principal Designer duties under CDM 2015 Principal Contractor responsibilities Safe system of work management Environmental compliance Quality assurance and security management Stakeholder & Land Management: Landowner engagement Statutory undertaker liaison Coordination with Local Authorities, Network Rail, Environment Agency and DNOs Support for access agreements and Section 172 evidence Project Delivery Project and programme management Site management and supervision Resource planning and deployment Technical stakeholder support Record keeping and document control Compliance with all NGED standards and Management of Works procedures Multi discipline lot/s are still being considered.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 103552-2026

About the buyer

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From notice 103552-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 2 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 2 November 2026.