Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice

Published 2 Feb 2026, 14:49 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Innovation Academic Framework · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC (Public body)

ServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesAccelerated

Sectors: Research & Development (R&D) (73) Delivery: UK

Published estimate£70,000,000≈ £14m / year · £84,000,000 inc. VAT

Submissions closed 12 Feb 2026awarded 26 Feb 2026

Awarded to CARDIFF UNIVERSITY +9 more10 awards

Contract term 5 yrsends 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is seeking collaboration with universities to support delivery of its innovation strategy over the next five years (April 2026 - Mar 2031). The primary objectives during this period include facilitating the energy system transition (including Clean Power 2030 and net zero 2050) and providing support for vulnerable consumers.

University partners will be expected to contribute both resources and technical expertise to the development and execution of Research & Development (R&D)projects.

We expect universities to run projects within Technology Readiness Levels 2 to 8 which includes research, development and demonstration projects.

These initiatives will enable NGET to ensure a safe and reliable electricity network, enhance consumer value, achieve decarbonisation of future networks, and create a positive impact on society.

NGET will invite universities to propose new projects that address specific needs, while also encouraging the generation of innovative project ideas. In addition to individual innovation projects, partners will play a crucial role in fostering innovation through strategic development, knowledge sharing and promoting an innovation-driven culture. Knowledge sharing may include supporting NGET in running dissemination events across the energy sector and other industries to communicate the outputs, learnings and benefits from projects, as well as using these events to learn from others. £70,000,000 excluding VAT

£84,000,000 including VAT each contract value.

How the procedure runs: Evaluation Stage No Evaluation Stage Description of Evaluation Methodology Shortlisting Strategy 1 ITT Stage 1 Desktop Evaluation and Moderations - Commercial Price &Non-Commercial Shortlisting may occur at this stage. 2 Negotiation (Optional Stage at NG discretion) Price Negotiation and potential negotiation in respect of proposed deviations to the Framework T& C's. Shortlisting may occur at this stage. 3 Final ITT Moderation Moderation of Commercial and Non-Commercial Submissions. Confirm winning

CPV: Design and execution of research and development · Experimental development services · Research and development consultancy services · Research laboratory services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published

Lot #1AwardedRenewal 5 yrsPublished value£70,000,000

Contract period: 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 (5 yrs) · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensionsValue: £70,000,000 exc. VAT · £84,000,000 inc. VAT

Delivery: UK

Extensions: Up to 2 years of extensions if required.

73111000 Research laboratory services 73120000 Experimental development services 73200000 Research and development consultancy services 73300000 Design and execution of research and development

What it takes to win
i
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more

How bids were scored

Quality: 70%Price: 30%

Published sub-criteria (2)

Technical: 70%
Price: 30%

Published award criteria (2)

Price
Technical

What this means for your bid

Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record

Procedure method: Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis: UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category: Services
Notice status: Awarded
Procurement threshold: Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime: Utilities
Commercial structure: Call-off under a framework
Competition type: Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered: Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 2 Feb 2026, 14:49 GMT
Last source update: 15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Award evaluation window: Submission end – 16 Feb 2026
Authority reference: WS4997397443
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-009035
Accelerated: Using dynamic market
Latest notice: Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV): Design and execution of research and developmentExperimental development servicesResearch and development consultancy servicesResearch laboratory services
Delivery area: UK
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-061465 Find a Tender

How it runs

Evaluation Stage No

Evaluation Stage Description of Evaluation Methodology

Shortlisting Strategy

1 ITT Stage 1

Desktop Evaluation and Moderations

Commercial Price &Non-Commercial

Shortlisting may occur at this stage.

Negotiation

(Optional Stage at NG

discretion)

Price Negotiation and potential negotiation in respect of

proposed deviations to the Framework T& C's.

Shortlisting may occur

at this stage.

3 Final ITT Moderation

Moderation of Commercial and Non-Commercial Submissions. Confirm winning

Related procedures1

Call-off under framework Innovation Qualified Utilities Dynamic Market

How it was run

Official notice

Submission deadline: 12 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Electronic submission: Allowed
Accepted languages: en

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Via National Grid's internal Ariba system.

www.ariba.com ↗

Timeline

2 Feb 2026 → 15 Sept 2026 · 7 dates

Tender notice published266 days ago
2 Feb 2026, 14:49 GMT
Submission deadline256 days ago
12 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Award decision expected by252 days ago
16 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Assessment summaries sent243 days ago
26 Feb 2026
Standstill ends230 days ago
10 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
Contract starts209 days ago
1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Latest notice published41 days ago
15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST

Notice history

5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Feb 2026

Tender notice published
2 Feb 2026, 14:49 GMT
UK4
Contract award notice published
26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
UK6
Status changed to complete
26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract signature expected
11 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
scheduled
Contract details notice published
15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 10

Awarded value Not summedeach provider’s award repeats the list or panel total

Contracts signed 10latest 1 Apr 2026

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Warwick1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Birmingham1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
The University of Edinburgh1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Bath1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Exeter1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Liverpool1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded
University of Strathclyde1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033Extensions: Optional one year extension with an additional year extension.	£70,000,000	26 Feb 2026	Awarded

Contracts

Contract 1 · CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 10 · University of Warwick
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 2 · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 3 · University of Birmingham
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 4 · The University of Edinburgh
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 5 · UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 6 · University of Bath
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 7 · University of Exeter
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 8 · University of Liverpool
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.
Contract 9 · University of Strathclyde
Signed
1 Apr 2026
Value
£70,000,000
Period
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2033 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Optional 1 year plus an additional one year extension to the main contract term.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-COH: 02366977 · GB-PPON: PHHJ-6513-BWZT 1 - 3 Strand, London, London, WC2N 5EHContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

10 commercial parties on the notice

CARDIFF UNIVERSITYAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000089GB-PPON: PHVT-4343-HWYR Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3ATContact email
Southampton UniversityAwarded supplierGB-CHC: rc000688GB-COH: RC000668 University Road, Highfield, Southampton, South East, SO17 1BJContact email
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000645GB-PPON: PHCQ-3464-LVTM Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TTContact email
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000797GB-PPON: PHDN-5322-MMHL Oxford Road, Manchester, North West, M13 9PLContact email
The University of EdinburghAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PGGY-6115-PNHDGB-SC: SC005336 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 9YLContact email
UNIVERSITY OF BATH (THE)Awarded supplierGB-COH: RC000644GB-PPON: PNGV-7869-ZHZQ Claverton Down, Bath, South West, BA2 7AYContact email
UNIVERSITY OF EXETERAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000653GB-PPON: PZYG-2396-XCRZ Northcote House, Queens Drive, Exeter, South West, EX4 4QJContact email
UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOLAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000660GB-PPON: PYNH-9859-XVMD Foundation Building, 765 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, North West, L69 7ZXContact email
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICKAwarded supplierGB-COH: RC000678GB-PPON: PGDC-7539-YXVM University House, Kirby Corner Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV4 8UWContact email
University of StrathclydeAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PGVP-7923-NDTWGB-SC: SC015263 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 1XQContact email

Official documents & specifications (31)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF
Signed contract contractSigned contractPDF

Notices published for this procedure

Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST

Show 13 more notices

Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender15 Sept 2026, 15:09 BST
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender26 Feb 2026, 18:40 GMT
Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender2 Feb 2026, 14:49 GMT

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