256_24 Highway Electrical Connections provided by Independent Connection Providers

This REPLACES the previous Prior Information Notice as tender documentation is now available .

ESPO is seeking to establish a national framework for the provision of highway electrical connections on Distribution Network Operators and Independent Distribution Network Operators networks ('Contestable' Works) and highway electrical connections on privately owned networks throughout the UK. In some cases, service providers will also be required to carry out minor installation works.

Lot 1 - Highway Electrical Connections on DNOs/IDNOs Networks (Contestable Works) Lot 2 - Highway Electrical Connections on DNOs/IDNOs Networks (Contestable Works) and Privately-owned Networks, and Minor Installation Works

The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated value stated includes the option period.

All service providers must be accredited for appropriate contestable work categories under the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS) presently operated by Lloyds Register during the life of the framework.

ESPO shall obtain a credit score (determined by the use of a credit rating agency) for the service provider on or before the Framework start date as a base score and where a significant change in the credit score is identified over the life of the Framework (or the credit score goes below 30), ESPO reserves the right to investigate the reasons for this significant change. Depending on the severity of the changes, it will be at the sole discretion of ESPO to suspend or even permanently remove the service provider from the Framework.

To tender: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '256_24' (via "View Opportunities" from the 'EastMidsTenders' Portal); (d) Express an interest (if not already completed via the previously Published PIN); (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen, once an Expression of interest has been completed).

Additional information: As a Central Purchasing Body as defined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Framework Agreement is open for use by Public Bodies (defined at https://www.espo.org/amfile/file/download/file/9608/) that also fall into one of the following classifications of user throughout all administrative regions of the UK: Local Authorities; Educational Establishments (including Academies); Central Government Departments and Agencies; Police, Fire & Rescue and Coastguard Emergency Services; NHS and HSC Bodies, including Ambulance Services; Registered Charities; Registered Social Landlords; The Corporate Office of the House of Lords, The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons; or any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament. Details of the classification of end user establishments and geographical areas are available at: https://www.espo.org/legal.

ESPO has established a commercial trading company, ESPO Trading Limited, whose target clients are third sector organisations such as national and local charities, public sector mutual organisations and other organisations involved in the delivery of services to or for the public sector. The successful Supplier may be asked to enter into an additional separate framework agreement (the Second Framework) with ESPO Trading Limited on materially similar terms to that found in the tender pack to be entered into by ESPO itself.

Any Second Framework agreement will be a purely commercial agreement and will, for the avoidance of doubt, not be governed by the Public Contract Regulations 2015 or other public procurement legislation. ESPO Trading Limited may enter into the second framework agreement with the successful supplier and make it available to third sector clients who themselves are not required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or other public procurement legislation. Accordingly, this is provided for bidders information only.

An eAuction process may be used to award subsequent call off contracts following the reopening of competition among the parties to the Framework Agreement.