Framework agreements for the provision of electricity to NI public sector

Project background

CPD Supplies and Services Division worked with a wide range of stakeholders to establish the two new framework agreements.

Establishing collaborative arrangements for electricity provides better value for money for the taxpayer, than each individual government bpdy, having their own contract in place.

Both framework agreements were awarded via an 'open' procurement procedure, which means the tenders were advertised on eTendersNI, and the opportunities were open to any supplier to compete.

Metered electricity

CPD established a multi-supplier framework agreement for four years, with an overall value estimated between £115m and £180m. All of the selected suppliers are based in Northern Ireland.

The new framework is available to all the organisations covered by NI Procurement Policy.

An initial 18 month call-off contract was awarded to two suppliers. Based on the current spend across the wider NI public sector, the new arrangement is projected to achieve annual savings of £3.5m over the 18 month period.

Unmetered electricity

CPD established a single supplier framework agreement for one year, with an estimated value of £10m. The initial participants will be the Department for Infrastructure, NI Water and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although the agreement is open to all organisations covered by NI Procurement Policy.

The new agreement is designed to achieve value for money, on a fixed price basis, for the electricity required - whether from dusk to dawn, or continuous burning.

Based on the current spend by the initial participants, the new arrangement is projected to achieve annual savings of approximately £1.5m.