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
Sustainable Procurement
At NGN we believe that sustainability is a fundamental and inseparable part of procurement, and our goal is to ensure our vision and commitment to maintain and enhance sustainable procurement practises is shared with our supply chain.
In our Sustainable Procurement Strategy and Sustainable Procurement Action Plan we have set ambitious targets aimed at developing new and more sustainable ways of working, that are challenging and yet rewarding for the society, environment and economy.
We recognise harmful impacts that negligence towards sustainable procurement can cause, and we pledge to take actions to minimise these risks by driving continuous improvement internally and working collaboratively with our supply chain.
