Northern Gas Networks Limited intends to enter into a three-year Enterprise Licence Agreement for the continued provision of Esri ArcGIS software licences and associated maintenance and technical support. The agreement will provide continued access to ArcGIS Enterprise and associated user licences, extensions and functionality used across NGN's existing GIS environment. The agreement also provides flexibility to deploy additional eligible licences during the contract term in support of changing business requirements. The contract will support the continued operation and development of NGN's established GIS capabilities, including network and asset information, operational mapping, field mobility and workflow processes.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award Northern Gas Networks (NGN) intends to directly award the contract to Esri UK for the renewal of its existing ArcGIS Enterprise Licence Agreement. The requirement is for the continued provision of proprietary Esri ArcGIS software licences and associated entitlements. Esri owns and controls the intellectual property and licensing rights for the ArcGIS products required by NGN, and an alternative supplier cannot independently provide the required ArcGIS enterprise licensing arrangement. ArcGIS is also established within NGN's existing GIS environment and supports network and asset information, operational mapping, field mobility and workflow processes. Replacing the ArcGIS platform would require migration and redevelopment of existing applications, integrations and operational workflows, resulting in significant technical complexity and disruption. NGN has therefore determined that there is no reasonable alternative capable of meeting the current requirement without replacing or materially redesigning the existing GIS environment. The direct award is consequently being made on the basis of Esri's intellectual property and exclusive licensing rights, together with the absence of competition for technical reasons.

Utilities