II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

71336000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKN

Main site or place of performance:

Northern Ireland

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

1. Contracting Entity & Assets

Interconnector Services Limited (ISL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mutual Energy Limited (MEL) (www.mutual-energy.com) which owns and operates critical energy infrastructure between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including submarine pipelines: Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline (SNIP), the Larne Lough Crossing (LLC) and the Belfast Lough Crossing (BLC), and the cable section of the HVDC Moyle Interconnector, a map of which can be provided on request. ISL exists to act as the contracting entity for services which are shared across the operating companies of the MEL Group, including the condition monitoring submarine survey.

2. Operational Phase Asset Integrity

A significant element of the condition monitoring of the submarine assets and their environs during their operational phase is geophysical survey. Early surveys were time-bound on installers recommendations (annual for pipelines, biennial for cables) but as the data accumulated, we moved to a more risk-based schedule (currently four-year intervals) and focused specification to capture relevant data, with the right technology, in the most cost effective manner (support and recommendations in this area which will be a base element of scope of the Contract).

3. Support Required

3.1 Term

The assets were last surveyed in 2022 and the next planned surveys are due 2026 and 2030. ISL seek Technical Submarine Consultancy Support/Advice to assist with the procurement and management of both surveys, minimum of six years 2025-2031, with the option to extend a further four years

3.2 Base Service

For planned geophysical surveys being procured by ISL, the Submarine Technical Advisor would be expected to

• Identify data requirements, advice on contract strategy and prepare the technical specification.

• Manage (technical and commercial) the survey contractor(s) including sourcing and deploying 'client representation' onboard the survey vessels for the duration of the survey campaign.

• Secure the required environmental permits and consents required for the works within both Scottish and Northern Ireland waters, including, if required, supplying fisheries liaison advice and support, and all necessary notifications such as Notice to Mariners.

• Assure the quality of data; video data, comparison charts, location of spans and exposures etc returned by the contracted surveyor.

• Assess the integrity of the submarine assets and their environment and, if necessary, recommend any remedial action to the assets as well as when they should be re-surveyed, including summary of results to third parties such as insurance underwriters.

3.3 Potential Additional Support

Should the submarine sections of the cables or pipelines be damaged, ISL might need to contract specialist submarine services, in which case, certainly at the early stages of response, ISL would rely upon the submarine advice and support of the contracted submarine advisor.

There may also be opportunity for the consultancy to advise on asset integrity management and enhance ISL's emergency preparedness.

Such Additional Support could be provided by variation to the contract and reimbursed on time and resource basis. The ability of contracting parties to provide 'Additional Support' support and associated day rates will be included in the competition.

II.2.14) Additional information

Next Stage

A Contract Notice will be published in Find a Tender and associated procurement documentation made available, to include a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) and a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), anticipated to be published in August 2024. This will be published via the Find a Tender website and conducted through our online tender portal, https://in-tendhost.co.uk/mutual-energy/aspx/Tenders/Forthcoming