National Grid is preparing a new framework for asbestos consultancy, analytical, management and removal services across operational and non-operational sites in England and Wales. The proposed arrangement is valued at £20 million excluding VAT and may run for up to eight years.
The procurement covers National Grid Electricity Transmission and National Grid Electricity Distribution. These business units may have different operational requirements, systems, governance and reporting arrangements, so suppliers will need to show how they can adapt while maintaining consistent compliance.
Four proposed lots
The planned procurement notice divides the requirement into:
- Lot 1: NGET asbestos consultancy services;
- Lot 2: NGET asbestos removal services;
- Lot 3: NGED asbestos consultancy services; and
- Lot 4: NGED asbestos removal services.
Suppliers should decide whether they can deliver across both transmission and distribution estates or whether a more focused lot strategy would provide stronger evidence and operational coverage.
Consultancy and analytical services
The consultancy scope includes management surveys, refurbishment and demolition surveys, re-inspections, risk assessments and site-specific asbestos management plans. It also covers sampling and laboratory analysis through UKAS-accredited facilities, air monitoring, four-stage clearance, compliance audits, contractor oversight and specifications for remediation.
Consultants may also be required to provide and maintain a secure web-based asbestos management database. Bidders should therefore address both technical asbestos competence and information management, including data quality, access, reporting and system security.
Removal and remediation services
The removal lots include licensed and non-licensed work, encapsulation, remediation, environmental cleaning, decontamination, emergency response, enclosures, dismantling asbestos-containing plant and equipment, and compliant waste transport and disposal.
National Grid requires suppliers to maintain the licences, accreditations, insurance, permits and environmental registrations necessary for their services. Responses will need to demonstrate competent people, safe systems of work and the ability to operate on a live national infrastructure estate.
Quick facts
- Contracting authority: National Grid UK Limited
- Estimated value: £20 million excluding VAT, £24 million including VAT
- Expected term: Four years, with a possible four-year extension
- Geographic scope: England and Wales
- Expected tender notice: 27 July 2026
- Request to participate deadline: 31 July 2026
Our asbestos tenders guidance covers the specialist evidence, compliance requirements and delivery controls buyers commonly assess in surveying and removal bids.
Preparing for the procurement
Start by matching licences, UKAS relationships, accreditations and geographic coverage to the individual lots. Where laboratory, data-platform or specialist removal services are delivered by partners, clarify responsibilities and contractual arrangements before the competition begins.
Case studies should reflect complex, multi-site or operational estates wherever possible. Explain how surveys and registers informed maintenance or capital work, how access and outages were managed, how urgent incidents were handled and how quality was assured across different teams.
Suppliers should also review mobilisation and reporting. National Grid will need reliable asset data, consistent documentation and clear escalation across two business units. A strong bid will connect technical compliance with practical service management.
Thornton & Lowe supports specialist contractors and consultancies with conditions of participation, bid strategy and tender responses.
