Strategic Services and PMO Services

The original contract for strategic advice and PMO services for the East Coast Hydrogen project was competitively tendered and awarded below the relevant procurement threshold. Due to procurement timescales, the new framework for these services will not go live until June 2026, while the current contract is due to expire. To maintain continuity of critical services during this gap, we must extend the existing contract, which will result

in the total contract value exceeding the threshold.

The extension is essential because the East Coast Hydrogen project is at a critical stage and cannot be paused without jeopardizing delivery against the June 2027 completion deadline. The services required remain consistent with the original scope and include:

• Strategic advice to secure offtake agreements and cement routing options through MOUs, enabling progression to FEED design.
• Development of routing options for engagement with potential hydrogen producers.
• Engagement with DESNZ and NESO to ensure alignment with government strategy.
• PMO services to implement robust project controls and governance, rapidly establish and operate the PMO, and support the award of main design, planning, and consenting work packages over the next six months.

This is being extended using justification linking to Additional or repeat goods, serviced or works where switching would cause disruption - The incumbent supplier possesses unique knowledge and experience from prior involvement, making them best suited to deliver these services efficiently during this short extension period. A change of provider introduce significant risk, cost duplication, and delay. It should be noted that a live tender process is already underway for these services, which will allow other businesses to competitively bid for the longer-term provision of strategic advice and PMO support. The new framework will take effect from June 2026.

During the fist 12 months of the Framework being awarded (June 26-June 27) spending on PMO and Strategic Advisory Services could reach up to £175k per month, totalling £2.1m. Anyone interested in providing these services for NGN should participate in the tender. Following this there is a potential 8 year extension on the Framework.