Official UK procurement notice
Technical Preparedness Study - Hydrogen Blends in the Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Networks
Authority: Firmus Energy (Distribution) Limited
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) (i.e. firmus energy (Distribution) Limited (firmus energy networks), Phoenix Energy Group Limited and SGN Evolve Network Limited), along with Transmission System Operators - Mutual Energy and Gas Networks Ireland (UK) - have established a pathway to decarbonise the NI Gas Network by 2050. To support this pathway, we have developed an extensive programme of research projects to support our preparations to accommodate large volumes of renewable gas.
The objective of this project is to establish the readiness of NI's gas distribution networks to accept hydrogen and natural gas blends including assessment of pressure reduction stations, primary meter installations and the impacts on larger end user downstream systems. The project will aim at the outset, to maximise the draw down of relevant evidence and data from publicly available hydrogen related trials, testing and research work and other industry sources thus enabling focus to be placed on identifying and addressing gaps in data, equipment performance verification and materials testing that are specific to the NI gas distribution networks.
The NI DNOs are therefore seeking a qualified and suitably experienced consultant to establish the technical and safety readiness of the NI distribution networks and end user downstream systems to accept hydrogen.
Whilst the immediate priority is to identify the limits of existing gas infrastructure and end user downstream systems for hydrogen blends of up to 20% by volume, this project work shall not preclude consideration of 100% hydrogen where this can be practically, and cost effectively covered in assessments and investigative works.
The final outcome of this project is expected to be a detailed and comprehensive report on the current hydrogen ready status of NI gas networks and metering assets that identifies and quantifies safety risks and mitigations, with a prioritised and cost estimated roadmap outlining the requirements for network modification or replacement, recommended areas of further testing/research work and associated expenditure, as necessary, to safely facilitate injected hydrogen.
CPV: Research services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1This tender process is being led by firmus energy networks, using the open procedure…
This tender process is being led by firmus energy networks, using the open procedure in accordance with Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended), for the benefit of itself, Phoenix Energy Group Limited and SGN Evolve Network Limited (the NI DNOs). firmus energy networks is seeking to enter into a Contract with a Service Provider to conduct a technical preparedness study for the benefit of the NI DNOs.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
- Suitability
As stated in the procurement documents.
- Legal form for consortia
- In the event of a Consortium submitting an acceptable offer, the Contract will be entered into between firmus energy networks and the lead single member who will act as the agreed prime contractor. The prime contractor will be responsible for delivery of all Services under the Contract. The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring that all parties to the Consortium comply with the terms of the ITT and the Contract, if successful. firmus energy networks will not act as an arbitrator between members of a Consortium. Without prejudice to the foregoing however, firmus energy networks also reserves the right, should it deem it necessary or more appropriate, to contract with each member of the group on the basis of joint and several liability or to contract with one member of the group as prime contractor, to whom the other members will be sub-contractors.
- Shortlisting
- As stated in the procurement documents.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0025 Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/25/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 21 Feb 2025, 09:20 GMT
- Last source update
- 21 Feb 2025, 09:20 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- 18 Apr 2025 – …
- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-006527- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e5d9Find a Tender
Publisher note: Tenderers that wish to participate in this procurement are required to provide their contact details to procurement@firmusenergynetworks.co.uk on downloading the procurement documents from the website at Section I.3 above. Tenderers who fail to provide their details or register in this manner will not receive any clarifications or updated information provided by firmus energy networks during the procurement process. Once your details have been received, firmus energy networks will provide the password for the procurement documents. Tenderers should note that the contract start date provided at Section II.2.7 above is an estimate only. The duration of the contract will run for the period of the research study. The costs of responding to this notice and participation in the process will be borne by each Tenderer. All discussions and correspondence will be deemed strictly subject to contract until a formal contract is entered into. The formal contract shall not be binding until it has been signed and dated by the duly authorised representatives of the relevant parties.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 18 Apr 2025, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Participation fee
- document
- Bid validity
- 90 days from the deadline
- Bids opened
- 18 Apr 2025, 18:00 BST
Timeline
21 Feb 2025 → 18 Apr 2025 · 3 dates- Notice published21 Feb 2025, 09:20 GMT
- Submission deadline18 Apr 2025, 17:00 BST
- Bids opened18 Apr 2025, 18:00 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- High Court of Justice in Northern IrelandReview body
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria