Northern Gas Networks (NGN) spends approximately £200m per year on goods, works and services to successfully operate our gas distribution network. The requirements and nature of spend vary from one-off low value engagements to complex multi-million framework contracts.

We develop and support supplier relationships, ensuring a healthy and competitive market exists across all supply categories.

Procurement activity at NGN is governed by the EU Directives and the Utilities Contract Regulations (UCR) 2016 (PDF document), which ensures that all tenders that are valued above a certain financial threshold are published via the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU), providing a gateway for suppliers who wish to search for new business opportunities.

We predominantly use Achilles Utility Vendor Database to source the market, therefore it is advantageous for interested suppliers to register on this database.

We also abide by the fundamental principles of the EU Procurement Directive, and ensure fair and transparent tendering process and equal treatment of all suppliers regardless of the contract value.

Fundamental principles of the EU Procurement Directive:

• Transparency
• Equal treatment and non-discrimination
• Proportionality
• Mutual recognition