National Grid is an international Electricity and Gas Network Company based in the UK with operations in north-eastern US, and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world.

National Grid are looking to set up a multi-year Marine Consultancy Framework to service offshore cable laying as part of the Great Grid Upgrade.

The Framework will cover the full gamut of consultancy disciplines required to support end to end marine projects. Including Subsea Cable Technical Consultancy, Unexploded Ordinance (UXO ALARP), Metocean, Marine Survey Support and HVDC/HVAC Platform Engineering Services.

The Framework will be developed in line with National Grid processes, other best practice guidance i.e. DNVGL-RP-0360 and European Subsea Cables Association guidelines.

To register your interest in this Procurement event and to obtain the pre-qualification documentation applicants are to email box.GP.UKBuyerNGV@nationalgrid.com using the wording 'Registering Interest for Marine Consultancy Framework' (if you have them) your Ariba AN number (Network ID), name, email address and contact phone number for all contacts within your organisation who will need to receive Ariba messages and administer your online submissions. Following receipt of this information National Grid will invite you to the Ariba event where all the pre-qualification documentation is contained including further instructions.

Marine Technical Consultant (MTC) will support the marine route selection work being undertaken by the separately appointed Marine Environmental Consultant. As part of this, the MTC shall provide technical input to the marine routeing and landfall options selection.

Fisheries Liaison Office (FLO) shall perform a desktop fisheries activity analysis, for input into the selection of the marine cable route corridor by other consultants. In addition, the FLO shall draft a Fisheries Engagement Strategy to inform project consultations and future works at site.

Onsite Client Reps (OCRs) may be required to deploy as representatives of NG and partner organisations during operations throughout the project life cycle.

Conduct a comprehensive review of all applicable regulatory requirements for the vessels planned scopes of operation. These should include but not be limited to International, national and local regulations as applicable to the contract. The review should identify all specific regulations relevant to the vessels planned operations and ensure compliance throughout the duration on task.

To ensure data meets the required specification National Grid require data across the following marine survey equipment types to be checked for quality and compliance:

Bathymetry

Seabed classification (from backscatter, side-scan sonar, and samples (physical and imagery)

Topography (point cloud and imagery)

Sub surface geology (from sub-bottom profilers, core penetration tests and core samples)

Anthropomorphic object detection (from magnetometer cross referenced with bathymetry and side-scan sonar).

Assurance of data from ancillary systems may also be required:

GNSS systems

USBL systems

The UXO Consultant shall provide a review of legislation and Best Practice Guidance for Marine UXO in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone. The review should highlight the standards for the planning, design, delivery, operation and maintenance, decommissioning or regulation of projects in the marine environment for UXO risk. The review should focus on abandoned explosive ordnance (such as sea-dumped munitions or abandoned ship or aircraft wrecks), rather than chemical warfare agents.

The review shall provide a review of the known industry techniques (and their effectiveness) for lower noise alternatives to high order detonation of UXOs within the marine environment.

To better understand project timelines, risks and costs, there is a requirement to understand the environment prior to, during and after the several project stages that make up a successful marine project.

To this end the Client requires the following types of analysis / reports to inform the planning and successful completion of its marine works:

Projects weather forecasts based on climatological data for planning and contractor assessments.

Weather downtime predictions for marine works.

Tidal stream and oceanic current modelling to assist in offshore engineering design.

Support the Client with Platform knowledge and expertise. A range of tasks and responsibilities aimed at ensuring that the project is executed according to the specifications, schedule, and budget. This work will include but not limited to Platform related tasks:

· Technical advisor, subject matter expert for all things 'Platform'.

· Creating, developing, and reviewing Platform technical documentation.

· Performing quality assurance and quality control on all designs, drawings and relevant materials that are produced by others relating to the Platform.

· Providing and managing all necessary markups, feedback, comments, and edits.

· Maintaining and tracking Platform submissions, drawings, applications, etc.

· Design review and management.

· Procurement support.

· Project management support.

· Programme management support.

· Offshore Platform Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance.

The Technical Consultant (TC) will support the platform feasibility and concept evaluation work to help ensure that the HND solutions are technically viable, and economically and environmentally sustainable.

The results of this SoW will be critical in the decision making for the project. The works will be used in communications with decision makers, management, investors, Ofgem and various stakeholders.