CON 1162 Smart Electricity Meters, Smart AMI HES

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) seeks to implement a comprehensive Smart Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that includes the procurement of Smart Electricity Meters (SEMs) and a multi-vendor Head-End System (HES). The scale of this procurement involves the manufacture, supply, and delivery of up to 1.5 million SEMs, with the potential to scale to 3 million during the contract term. The contractor will be responsible for the following activities:

• Manufacture and Supply: Deliver up to 1.5 million Single-phase and Three-Phase Whole Current meters, as well as Single-Phase and Three-Phase CT meters, incrementally over the contract term.
• Development and Integration: Develop and implement the HES capable of integrating with multiple SEM vendors, ensuring high interoperability across devices and systems.
• Security Architecture: Establish a security framework for the HES that meets ESB's functional, security, and performance requirements.
• System Integration: Integrate the HES with the Siemens Energy IP Meter Data Management System (MDMS) and existing ESB operational platforms.
• Implementation of Standards: Implement the AC Electricity Smart Meter Generic Companion Profile (ACE SM GCP) to facilitate secure communication between the HES and SEMs.
• System Services: Provide configuration, testing, migration, and commissioning services for the IT systems.
• Ongoing Support: Deliver maintenance and management services to ensure operational continuity and system performance throughout the lifecycle of the meters.

The successful contractor will need to ensure that all systems are operationally ready by the beginning of 2028, aligning with ESB's long-term strategy for a modern electricity network.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with ESB's ongoing efforts to enhance its Smart Metering capabilities, driven by technological advancements and evolving customer expectations. The initiative is part of ESB's broader strategy, "Driven to Make a Difference: Achieving Net Zero by 2040," which emphasizes sustainability and efficient energy services. The procurement aims to modernize the electricity network and improve service delivery to approximately 2 million customers across Ireland. The ESB has a regulated asset base of approximately €12 billion, indicating its significant role in the energy sector.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €85 million for Lot 1 and €5 million for Lot 2.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity limit of €13 million.
• Cyber Liability Insurance with a minimum indemnity limit of €5 million.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance with a minimum indemnity limit of €5 million per claim and €10 million in the annual aggregate.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with no minimum scoring threshold specified for individual criteria or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template with specified page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, adhering to the specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Format as per the named template.
• Case studies: Provide a minimum of two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €5 million to €85 million.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the eTenders system, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Initial term of 6 years with an option to extend for an additional 9 years.
• Payment terms: Not specified for this tender.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: A performance bond of €2.5 million is required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement for Lot 1 is significantly high at €85 million, which may limit participation to larger firms.
• The contract is structured as a framework agreement, meaning there is no guaranteed order volume, which could affect financial planning for bidders.
• The requirement for a performance bond may pose a financial burden on smaller bidders.
• The integration with existing systems, particularly the Siemens Energy MDMS, may present challenges for non-incumbent bidders.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may find the following insights relevant:

• Credible bidders: Firms with significant turnover and experience in smart metering and IT systems integration are best suited to bid.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: The tender does not specify whether consortiums or sub-contracting are allowed, but larger firms may be more competitive.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a bid may require significant effort, potentially several weeks, given the complexity of the requirements.
• Pwin signal: The high turnover requirement and the potential for incumbents to have an advantage may reduce the probability of winning for smaller firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: PQQ_SEM_AMI HES_V2.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: D20/CON/1162
• Contact email: Not specified
• Important attachments: Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment, Mandatory Requirements Schedule.