UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for Contract B930 (2026) Civil Engineering Works. This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract B930 (2026), identify potential solutions and innovative approaches, and develop an effective procurement strategy. This PME is open to all suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process. The provision of civil engineering works and related services, across Northern Ireland with no specific geographical restrictions, may include but not limited to as follows: Lot 1 New Build Substations in Greenfield and Brownfield Locations, • Site Clearance • Site Investigation • Switch Houses • Control Rooms • Painting • Building Services • Piling • Tx Bunds and Firewalls • Boundary Walls • Structure Foundations • Structural Steel provision and installation • Concrete Cable Trenches – In-Situ, Precast, GRP • Site compounds and surfacing • Various specifications of Fencing and gates • Drainage, Ducting and Earthing • Landscaping • Design Lot 2 Refurbishment Works within existing Live Substations, • Site Investigation • Switch Houses • Control Rooms • Painting • Building Services • Piling • Refurbishment / alterations to existing buildings • Demolition of buildings, concrete and steel structures, bases etc. • Tx Bunds and Firewalls • Boundary Walls • Structure Foundations • Structural Steel provision and installation • Concrete Cable Trenches – In-Situ, Precast, GRP • Site extensions, compounds and surfacing • Various specifications of Fencing and gates • Drainage, Ducting and Earthing • Landscaping • Design Lot 3 Miscellaneous Works on Secondary Live Substation Buildings and Kiosk Foundations, • Alterations to concrete floors to accommodate new equipment and cabling • GRP Trench Covers and components • Structural Steel provision and installation • Installation of Security Doors • Roof Surveys, repairs and replacement • Vent installations • Earthing • Painting • Demolition of Existing Buildings • Various specifications of Fencing and gates • Landscaping • Concrete Foundations • Block Work • Pre-cast Concrete slab and lintels • Site compounds and surfacing Lot 4 Dayworks • Miscellaneous Civil Works in both Main, Primary and Secondary Live Substation locations to include: - o Security Doors o Roofing o Site Clearance o Demolition o Landscaping o Site compounds and surfacing o Various specifications of Fencing and gates o Drainage, Ducting and Earthing o Phase 2 finishing works to Kiosk Foundations

NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for S1140 (2027) Provision of Large Plant Hire and Associated Services. The primary focus of this PME is to invite interested parties to complete a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) to provide information to assist with NIE Networks' consideration of the options available and preparation of the tender process including, without limitation, in relation to market appetite, capacity, capability and perceived risks and opportunities. The procurement route, tender approach, scope of services and Contract terms required will be further considered by NIE Networks following this PME exercise and engagement with interested parties. This PME is open to all suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process The scope of services will include: • Hire of Large Plant (Lots 1–3) – Supply of track machines and rubber wheel diggers, inclusive of operators, to assist with the erection/replacement of electricity poles and towers, installation of stay rods, and substation earthing; unaccompanied rigging and erection of new electricity poles; transportation of NIE Networks’ own plant. • Hire of Forklifts, Telescopic Handlers with Transportation (Lots 4–6) – Transportation and installation of equipment to and within work sites including electricity substations; recovery of redundant equipment from such sites. • Mobile Crane Hire (Lot 7) – Provision of a ‘Contract Lift’ service through mobile cranes to support work programmes, including works within live electrical substations up to 400kV and in public/private property locations, in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 and BS 7121.

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is to gather insights from the market on the feasibility, opportunities, and challenges of an Online Quotation Solution. Responses will inform NIE Networks’ consideration of scope, potential procurement approach and l next steps. At this stage the final requirements have not been set; the following indicative scope is provided to guide supplier feedback.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) intends to establish a framework arrangement under which it shall appoint suppliers to enter into separate framework agreements for the C345 (2027) Supply of non-SF6 33kV Switchboards. It is anticipated that each framework agreement awarded will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting authority and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to three (3) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. NIE Networks estimates that the total spend under framework agreements could be up to £15 million over the total potential eight-year duration. Therefore, NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) supplier information event to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for Contract C345 (2027) Supply of non-SF6 33kV Switchboards. This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract C345 (2027), identify potential solutions and develop an effective procurement strategy. This PME supplier information event is open to suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process.

NIE Networks is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to gather insights from the market before initiating a procurement process for Contract S1138 Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold. This engagement aims to assess the market's interest and capabilities in delivering Contract S1138 (2027), identify potential solutions and innovative approaches, and develop an effective procurement strategy. This PME is open to all suppliers and is intended to be a collaborative effort to ensure a robust and successful procurement process. The Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold Services may include as follows: • Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold (Distribution Overhead lines), • Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold (Distribution and Transmission Substations and Transmission Overhead Lines) The services will include: Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold (Distribution Overhead Lines) • The design, erection, inspection and dismantling of scaffold to facilitate NIE Networks’ teams with: • the erection / maintenance / replacement of electricity poles • the installation and repair of Low Voltage under eave wires and cables at customer properties • Erection and dismantling of scaffold to facilitate NIE Networks’ fault and emergency response works where required Hire, Erection and Dismantling of Scaffold (Distribution and Transmission Substations and Transmission Overhead Lines) • The design, erection, inspection and dismantling of scaffold to facilitate NIE Networks’ teams with: • the installation / maintenance / replacement of substation plant and apparatus • the erection / maintenance / replacement of electricity poles and towers • Roadside protection schemes to assist with raising and lowering of overhead lines • Erection and dismantling of scaffold to facilitate NIE Networks’ fault and emergency response works where required

NIE Networks Ltd is the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks will shortly be undertaking a tender process (in accordance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016) to procure an SAP S/4 HANA Systems Integrator Services Contract (Contract), which Contract it is anticipated will commence in January 2026. It is currently expected that the Contract will include any or all of the following services: Programme and project management; detailed system and process design; system configuration; custom specification and developments; data migration; test; business change management and training; deployment and cutover; and go-live support and hypercare. Current estimated value is in the region of £40M - £81M. The estimated value range is broad due to the scoping of the project still being in progress. . Before commencing the tender process, NIE Networks Ltd intends to undertake a preliminary market engagement (PME) exercise to inform the market about the scope of the Contract and seek input from potential bidders which will be used to inform the process. The purpose of this notice then is to invite interested parties to express and register their interest in attending a PME briefing event, which will be held in Belfast on 12th November 2024. At this PME briefing event, NIE Networks Ltd will provide interested parties with an overview of the requirements, objectives, proposed approach to the forthcoming procurement and anticipated timelines. Interested parties shall be solely responsible for any costs incurred participating in any aspect of this PME event. Interested parties should register their interest and attendance via eSourcingNI (as below) by 5.00pm on 1st November 2024 providing the name(s) and contact email addresses of who will attend. Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of 3 attendees per organization. Registration for the PME briefing event(s) shall only be through eSourcingNI. pqq_4593 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session via the secure messaging function. Upon receipt of Suppliers' Expressions of Interest, we will provide additional information with further instructions on how to participate in the PME Briefing Event. The PME briefing event shall consist of a presentation by NIE Networks Ltd with an opportunity afterwards for interested parties to raise clarification questions. Interested parties should note that any questions regarding the content of the PME briefing event or procurement process raised in advance of the PME briefing event through eSourcingNI will not be responded to by NIE Networks Ltd. In the event that attendance at the PME Briefing Event has to be restricted due to available space, then the number of attendees per organisation may be further limited and if required organisations’ attendance restricted on a First-Come, First-Served basis. Interested parties should note however that a copy of the presentation and Market Sounding Questionnaire and Solution Briefing Document (as referred to further below) will be made available to all interested parties that register an interest on or before 1st November 2024, regardless of whether or not they are able to attend the PME Briefing Event. Responses to the MSQ should be submitted by 5:00pm on 29th November 2024 via eSourcingNI. There will be an opportunity for potential Suppliers to submit clarification questions as part of the Market Sounding Questionnaire. We will consider clarification questions up to 22nd November 2024 and will issue responses as promptly as possible. Responses to clarification messages will be anonymised and shared with all participating Suppliers.

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator(DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks have a requirement for provision of suitably qualified and experienced organisation(s) to provide an Enterprise-scale Data Management Platform, associated Implementation Consultancy and Application Service Support. NIE Networks would like to invite service providers, who provide services relevant to the requirements, to attend a Supplier Information Day in Belfast on Friday 28th April 2023 relating to these requirements. At this session NIE Networks will outline an overview of the requirements, gain feedback on particular elements from the audience and consider various technical options. The feedback gained may be used to add to the procurement strategy. There may be a request for feedback after the event in the form of a questionnaire. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by Friday 7th April 2023 providing the name(s) of who will attend. NIE Networks may shortlist attendees on the basis of direct relevant experience. Please note a separate Call for Competition in form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Any interested parties will still be required to apply separately when launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the future tender competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition. NIE Networks will be restricting the number of attendees to no more than two (2) representatives from your organisation who can attend the session. Project S1212 (2023) has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (NIE Networks) has a requirement for the supply of network Flexibility services from customers connected within specific geographic areas (Flexibility Trial Zones, FTZs). Successful Tenderers will provide NIE Networks with network Flexibility services, the ability to adjust their aggregate electricity generation or consumption in response to a signal from NIE Networks during defined Service Windows, supporting network operation during the FLEX trial. Each Flexibility Trial Zone is represented by a separate geographical Lot. There are 17 Lots in total. NIE Networks would like to invite Flexibility Providers to visit the Piclo website www.picloflex.com/dashboard where they can register their assets and find out more information regarding NIE Networks’ requirements. Information regarding this opportunity can also be found on NIE Networks' Flexibility Services Website www.flexibility@nienetworks.co.uk.

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator(DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks would like to invite service providers, who provide services relevant to the requirements, to register their interest in involvement in market consultation(s) on NIE Networks Limited Turnkey Substation Procurement and Contract strategy which will take place in Dublin on Tuesday 6th August 2024 relating to these requirements. NIEN intend to run a competition in the future, in advance of this we are seeking to engage with the market on the best procurement strategy to adopt. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by 24th July 2024 providing the details requested in Appendix A of the Memorandum of Information and their completed consultation questionnaire. Project PQQ B982 - Turnkey Substations delivery - Pre Market Engagement has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session and download the Memorandum of Information and questionnaire for completion. Please note a separate Call for Competition in form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Any interested parties will still be required to apply separately when launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the future tender competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition and therefore no tender documents are available. Project B982 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session and download the Memorandum of Information and questionnaire for completion.

NIE Networks wishes to establish a framework agreement with a suitably qualified and experienced organisation or organisations for the Provision of Grounds Maintenance Services for its many sites throughout the province.The maintenance of the grounds and surrounding areas of NIE Networks many sites is vital, not only to reduce interruptions to electricity supply, but to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors and members of the public. It is anticipated that the contract will comprise the following; Perimeter security check, General safety check, Weed Control, Litter removal, Graffiti Removal, Grass Cutting, Hedge and Vegetation Control, Gritting/Salting of Premises as required, Keeping access points clear, and Reporting and Performance Measurement. This list is not exhaustive. NIE Networks would like to invite service providers, who provide services relevant to the requirements, to attend a Supplier Information Day in Belfast on Friday 10th February relating to these requirements. At this session NIE Networks will outline the overview of the requirements and provide information on the different types of sites that the service will be preformed. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by Friday 3rd February 2023 providing the name(s) of who will attend. Please note a separate Call for Competition in form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Any interested parties will still be required to apply separately when launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the future tender competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition. NIE Networks will be restricting the number of attendees to no more than two (2) representatives from your organisation who can attend the session. Project B916 (2023) has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session.

NIE Networks intends to undertake a procurement process to manufacture and supply a range of signage to be used with wood poles, in sub-stations, offices, depots and across the whole NIE Networks infrastructure and this PIN is to undertake market engagement to feed in to that process.

The high penetration of renewable energy sources across Northern Ireland Electricity Networks’ (NIE Networks) transmission network has resulted in the network becoming increasingly constrained. NIE Network’s Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR) project aims to determine the thermal capacity of 110 kV Transmission assets during different weather conditions, facilitating increased loading of assets without the need for costly network reinforcement. NIE Networks would like to invite interested parties who provide services relevant to the requirement to attend separate online market engagement sessions. At these sessions NIE will ask suppliers to provide a demonstration of their systems. NIE will ask Suppliers a number of questions, a copy of which has been provided with this Notice. The information obtained through this process will be retained by NIE Networks and will not be released to ensure confidentiality. However information obtained at the sessions may be used to inform the procurement strategy. NIE Networks will hold separate supplier sessions on 24 January 2025 between 9am - 4pm. It is expected that each session will last approximately 45 minutes with up to a maximum of 7 suppliers. In order to maintain a suitable list of suppliers please also provide a short description of your experience in this area. NIE Networks may shortlist attendees of the basis of direct relevant experience only. In addition, in the event of the required being oversubscribed NIE Networks will restrict the total number of attendees to the first 7 suppliers who demonstrate direct relevant experience. The deadline for Suppliers to register is 17 January 2025. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by 17 January 2024 providing the names of those who will attend. Please note, should NIE Networks tender for this requirement, a separate Call for Competition in the form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Interested parties will still be required to apply if/when the tender is launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest in the competition. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the potential future competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition. Project S1223 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest in attending the session.

NIE Networks requires the services of suitably qualified and experienced organisations to undertake the Provision of Tree Cutting Services. NIE Networks invites all interested suppliers to attend a “Supplier Information Event”. There are two dates and locations for this event to choose from. Please see below details: Date 1 Wednesday 19th June 2024 10:00 am Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick Kingfisher Country Estate, Paradise Walk, Templepatrick, Ballyclare BT39 0DD Date 2 Tuesday 25th June 2014 12:30 pm Silverbirch Hotel 5 Gortin Road Tyrone, Omagh BT79 7DH NIE Networks’ requirements will be presented in greater detail and attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions. This Supplier Information Event(s) will be followed up with a Contract Notice at a later date. Please confirm your interest to attend this event (and at which location) by contacting Anna McWhirter. Email: anna.mcwhirter@nienetworks.co.uk

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks will shortly be undertaking a tender process (in accordance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (as amended)) to procure an IT Managed Services Contract (Contract), which Contract it is anticipated will commence on 1 April 2026. It is currently anticipated that the Contract will include any or all of the following services: service management; infrastructure management services; business continuity and disaster recovery services; data centre hosting; end user compute; cyber security services; mobile device management services; printing services; LAN and WAN services; desktop voice services; contact centre services; application resource augmentation; ICT project delivery services; and supplier invoice processing. Current estimated value is in the region of £150 - £200M Before commencing that tender process, NIE Networks intends to undertake a pre-market engagement (PME) exercise to inform the market about the scope of the Contract and seek input from potential bidders which will be used to inform the process. The purpose of this notice then is to invite interested parties to express and register their interest in attending a PME briefing event, which will be held online, via Zoom on 9 August. At this PME briefing event, NIE Networks will provide interested parties with an overview of its requirements, objectives, proposed approach to the forthcoming procurement and anticipated timelines. Interested parties should register their interest and attendance via eSourcingNI (as below) by 5.00pm on 6 August 2024 providing the name(s) and contact email addresses of who will attend. Attendance shall be limited to a maximum of 2 attendees per organization. Registration for the PME briefing event shall only be through eSourcingNI and must be received by NIE Networks on or before 5.00pm on 6 August 2024. Project pqq_4549 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session via the secure messaging function. The PME briefing event shall consist of a presentation by NIE Networks with an opportunity afterwards for interested parties to raise clarification questions. Interested parties should note that any questions regarding the content of the PME briefing event or procurement process raised in advance of the PME briefing event through eSourcingNI will not be responded to by NIE Networks.

NIE Networks intends to undertake a procurement process to acquire, install and manage Low Voltage (LV) monitoring devices for pole mounted and ground mounted secondary substations. LV monitoring devices will be located across NIE Networks’ infrastructure providing granular data from secondary substations to increase the visibility of low voltage distribution networks. This is critical for cost efficient LV network planning and operation in the face of rapid growth in distributed generation and flexible low carbon technologies driving more dynamic and complex power flows. LV monitors will measure voltage from busbars and current from LV feeders used to calculate other electrical features such as active, reactive, apparent power, current and voltage harmonics. These measurements will support use cases of LV monitoring data for LV network operation and LV network planning such as transformer loading and cable health assessment. Records will be periodically reported and stored in a data centre, allowing access to NIE Networks engineers for the analysis, planning and operation of the LV distribution network. NIE Networks intends to establish a framework arrangement under which it shall appoint economic operators to enter into separate framework agreements. It is anticipated that each framework agreement awarded will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to three (3) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. NIE Networks estimates that the total spend under framework agreements could be up to £20 million over the total potential eight-year duration. This Periodic Indicative Notice is to undertake pre-market engagement only which will inform the further development of the future procurement process.

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator(DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks have a requirement for provision of suitably qualified and experienced organisation(s) to provide a Customer Engagement Platform, which can also be referred to as a Customer Relationship Management System. NIE Networks would like to invite interested parties who provide services relevant to the requirements to attend separate market engagement sessions. At these sessions NIE Networks will outline an overview of the requirements and request invited parties to provide a demonstration of their systems. The information obtained through this process will be retained by NIE Networks, commercially sensitive or confidential information obtained will not be released. However, any relevant the information resulting from this process, that may be used to add to the potential procurement strategy, will be communicated to other potential tenderers. In addition there may be a request for feedback after the event in the form of a questionnaire. NIE Networks will hold separate individual supplier sessions on Thursday 25th & Friday 26th April 2024 with up to a maximum of 10 suppliers. The deadline for suppliers to register is 4th April 2024 at 5pm. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by Thursday 4th April 2024 providing the name(s) of who will attend. NIE Networks may shortlist attendees on the basis of direct relevant experience. Please note, should NIE Networks tender for this requirement, a separate Call for Competition in form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Any interested parties will still be required to apply separately if/when launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the potential future tender competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition. Project S1227 has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session.

NIE Networks has identified that a new land and property management system is required which will manage all NIE Networks legal title, wayleave agreements, case management, system integration, cost management and support the transition to faster payments/BACS providing an overall better level of customer satisfaction and ease of business process. NIE Networks would like to invite interested parties who provide services relevant to the requirements to attend separate market engagement sessions relating to these requirements. At these sessions NIE Networks will outline an overview of the requirements. The objective is to understand what exists in the market & consider various technical options. The information obtained through this process will be retained by NIE Networks & won't be released to ensure confidentiality, however NIE Networks may disclose the names of the suppliers that contributed to this market engagement within any separate procurement process, the information will be used to add to the procurement strategy. NIE Networks will hold separate individual supplier sessions on 22nd and 29th February 2024 with up to a maximum of 10 suppliers. The deadline for suppliers to register is 16th February at 17:00. NIE Networks preference is for an off-the-shelf product. The first 10 suppliers (inclusive of consultants) who have previous experience, preferably in delivering an off-the shelf property management system to an organisation similar in size to NIE Networks within a similar industry such as Utilities industry to register their interest, or the number of registered suppliers (inclusive of consultants) if less than 10 at closing date will be invited to participate, whichever comes first. NIE Networks may shortlist attendees on the basis of direct relevant experience only as noted in the paragraph above. Project S1220 (2025) has been created on eSourcingNI; parties can register their interest to attend a session by accessing the project. The ONLY way to register is via the secure messaging function in the project providing a short narrative of your experience in delivering this type of project. The closing date & time to register is 16th February 2024 at 17:00.

NIE Networks is the electricity Distribution Network Operator(DNO) and transmission network owner in Northern Ireland. NIE Networks have a requirement for the provision of a Voltage discrimination device capable of distinguishing between High Voltage and Low Voltage Paper Insulated Lead Covered (PILC) underground cables. The device must clearly identify to the operator that the cable to be worked is live at Low Voltage or is live at High Voltage or indication that identification of voltage is not possible. It is preferable that this is achieved without opening any part of the cable. NIE Networks’ underground cable network where the voltage discrimination is required operates between 240V and 11,000V. The voltage discrimination by the device must be able to be carried out at the point in which the cable is to be worked on. The device must be capable of determining the voltage of the PILC cable at that point of work. NIE Networks would like to invite vendors with relevant products or specialist knowledge to participate in an online supplier meeting on 12th October 2023 relating to these requirements. At this session NIE Networks will outline an overview of the requirements, gain feedback on particular elements from the audience and consider various technical options. The feedback gained may be used to add to the procurement strategy. Suppliers should register their interest via eSourcingNI by Thursday 28th September providing the name(s) of who will attend. NIE Networks may shortlist attendees on the basis of direct relevant experience. Please note a separate Call for Competition in form of a FTS Contract Notice will be published on eSourcingNI. Any interested parties will still be required to apply separately when launched & expressing an interest in the market engagement shall in no way be accepted as registering an interest. Additionally, expressing an interest in the market engagement will not be a prerequisite in relation to the future tender competition. Please note this is not a Call for Competition. NIE Networks will be restricting the number of attendees to no more than two (2) representatives from your organisation who can attend the session. Project C407 (2023) has been created on eSourcingNI where parties can register their interest to attend the session.