IT Managed Services Contract

Concepts

• belfast
• information technology
• consultancy services
• data services
• internet services
• computer services
• service management
• infrastructure management services
• project delivery services
• wan services

Location

Northern Ireland

Description

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks will shortly be undertaking a tender process (in accordance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended)) to procure an IT Managed Services Contract (Contract), which Contract it is anticipated will commence on 1 April 2026. It is currently anticipated that the Contract will include any or all of the following services: service management; infrastructure management services; business continuity and disaster recovery services; data centre hosting; end user compute; cyber security services; mobile device management services; printing services; LAN and WAN services; desktop voice services; contact centre services; application resource augmentation; ICT project delivery services; and supplier invoice processing. Current estimated value is in the region of £150 - £200M

Total Quantity or Scope

The purpose of the Contract will be provision of outsourcing of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It is currently anticipated that the Contract will comprise a five-year contract with the option to extend for up to an additional five years in the following tranches - three years, then two single year extensions. It is currently anticipated that the Contract will include any or all of the following services: service management; infrastructure management services; business continuity and disaster recovery services; data centre hosting; end user compute; cyber security services; mobile device management services; printing services; LAN and WAN services; desktop voice services; contact centre services; application resource augmentation; project delivery services; and supplier invoice processing.

CPV Codes

• 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
• 72100000 - Hardware consultancy services
• 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
• 72300000 - Data services
• 72400000 - Internet services
• 72500000 - Computer-related services
• 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
• 72700000 - Computer network services
• 72800000 - Computer audit and testing services
• 72900000 - Computer back-up and catalogue conversion services

Indicators

Other Information

Before commencing that tender process, NIE Networks intends to undertake a pre-market engagement (PME) exercise to inform the market about the scope of the Contract and seek input from potential bidders which will be used to inform the process. The purpose of this notice then is to invite interested parties to express and register their interest in attending a PME briefing event, which will be held online, via Zoom on 9 August. At this PME briefing event, NIE Networks will provide interested parties with an overview of its requirements, objectives, proposed approach to the forthcoming procurement and anticipated timelines. Interested parties should register their interest and attendance via eSourcingNI (as below) by 5.00pm on 6 August 2024 providing the name(s) and contact email addresses of who will attend. Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of 2 attendees per organization. Registration for the PME briefing event shall only be through eSourcingNI and must be received by NIE Networks on or before 5.00pm on 6 August 2024. Project pqq_4549 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session via the secure messaging function. The PME briefing event shall consist of a presentation by NIE Networks with an opportunity afterwards for interested parties to raise clarification questions. Interested parties should note that any questions regarding the content of the PME briefing event or procurement process raised in advance of the PME briefing event through eSourcingNI will not be responded to by NIE Networks. Project pqq_4549 has been created on eSourcingNI, where parties can register their interest to attend the PME briefing event. The ONLY way to register is via the secure messaging function in the project, by providing names and email addresses of the two representatives from your organization who will attend. Please note that NIE Networks will be conducting this PME exercise in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency. To that end, it is important to stress that the structure, specification and all other aspects of the procurement will not be designed to give direct or indirect advantage to any interested party and all information concerning the forthcoming procurement will be disseminated to all interested parties. It is the intention that no one party will be in receipt of information which will not be available to all. It is important to note that this PIN and the PME briefing event do not constitute a call for competition, a pre-qualification questionnaire, part of any pre-qualification, selection process or a current tender opportunity. This PIN has been produced solely for the purpose of conducting a pre-market engagement exercise. All interested parties will need to express a formal interest in any future tender opportunity in due course once a contract notice (as appropriate) is published. NIE Networks welcomes interest from all interested parties. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PIN or the PME briefing event. Participation or non-participation in the PME exercise shall not prevent any interested parties from participating in any subsequent procurement exercise. All information shared with interested parties as part of the PME exercise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a copy of the PME presentation and any questions and answers provided) will be made available to all parties that express an interest in participating in any subsequent procurement exercise. For the avoidance of doubt however, NIE Networks will not disclose any specific comments or feedback provided by any interested party, nor the identity of any party that chose to take part in the PME process. NIE Networks may, at its absolute discretion, take into account any questions or feedback provided during the PME exercise in finalizing its procurement strategy, procurement process and/or any aspects of the procurement. NIE Networks also reserves the right to request additional information from any interested party in relation to any question raised or feedback provided as part of the PME exercise. The information provided in this PIN and as part of the PME exercise is preliminary in nature and is subject to amendment/updating by NIE Networks. No reliance may be placed by any party on the information contained in this PIN or provided as part of the PME exercise and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made in relation to such information.