Decarbonisation Tenders

Bidding for Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Tenders & Frameworks

We have developed this article as a result of an increasing demand from our clients on how to successfully work within the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and how to be awarded these funds.

In 2019 our Government committed to reducing all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants/ funding for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. The aim is to reduce emission in public building by 75% 2037.

Progress so far

Phase 1 - £1 billion in grants between 2021 and 2022. Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was launched in April 2021 and Phase 3 of the scheme was launched in October 2021 and will provide funding over to 2024/25.

Full scheme details can be found here. This is also a great way to see successful projects from both Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the scheme, which can help you plan.

Creating Tender Opportunities across the Supply Chain

The core scheme is for the public sector to bid for, such as Social Housing Providers and the NHS. However, once they receive those funds this then creates many tenders from these bodies who then need to procure the relevant goods, works and services via tenders.

At Thornton & Lowe we help both the public sector bid for the Decarbonisation Scheme, plus then working with our core SME clients who then need our bid writing support for their specific category once the successful public sector bidder advertises their contract.

Using our software, Tender Pipeline, you can also quickly monitor who are winning these decarbonisation and retrofit tenders. You can see how broad the tender opportunities are covering Housing, NHS and Education:

To support the growth of this sector and to meet the targets set by the Government many frameworks have been published to allow public sector buyers to quickly and compliantly source relevant suppliers for:

Energy efficiency
Decarbonisation
Retrofit
Demand management and renewables.

Some of the key frameworks for decarbonisation, energy efficiency and retrofit opportunities are included in our list below. However, searching for these keywords in our software will provide a more comprehensive list, which you can do here, or using the CPV (common procurement vocabulary) terms such as:

Decarbonisation Key Frameworks

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

Competitions for Wave 2.1 now underway (at time of writing). This is funding to improve the energy performance of social homes in England. Phase 2 is limited to 100 eligible social housing properties depending on the EPC b and the fund requires 50% match funding.

With regards to the bid and what is required when it comes to the required bid writing capacity in order to submit – 35% of the total marks are on Strategic Fit, 35% on Delivery Assurance and 30% on Value for Money. Responses are likely to be in the range of 25,000 words to cover all quality tender questions, plus then supporting documents and evidence.

Crown Commercial Services – Upcoming Demand Management and Renewables (DMR) agreement

This new framework is currently in development and will replace the current Heat Network and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) DPS Agreement. It is being designed to help the public sector access what they require to hit their targets. This ranges from Solar PV, Battery Storage, Heat Pumps, Heat Networks and CNZ Consultancy.

The plan is for this to be available from November 2022. However, as a framework and DPS it should be open to new bidders on a regular or continual basis.

Fusion21 Decarbonisation Framework

This framework runs till 2026 and allows for direct award, as well as mini competitions. It is aimed to help their public sector members hit their net zero targets.

EN Procure - DPS for Energy Efficiency Consultants

This framework is for the Design and Consultancy Service Specialising in Green Retrofit and Decarbonisation Strategies and Expertise. This is a DPS agreement and designed to meet PAS 2035: 2019, covering the following 5 lots:

Retrofit Strategy Advisor Services
Retrofit Assessor/Retrofit Evaluator Services
Retrofit Coordinator Services
Retrofit Designer Services
Thermographic Surveys

Procurement for Housing (PFH) - Asset Decarbonisation & Retrofit Solutions DPS

This DPS delivers Asset Decarbonisation and Retrofit Solutions, enabling the procurement of net zero goods, works and services for PfH Members throughout the UK.

This dynamic purchasing system covers:

PAS Services
Net Zero Technical Consultancy
Primary Measures – Fabric First
Secondary Measures – Net Zero Technologies Installation & Maintenance
Whole House Retrofit
District Infrastructure and Systems Installation & Maintenance
Net Zero Materials Supply
Net Zero Technology Solutions
Retrofit Training Academy

Scottish Government Public Sector Decarbonisation

Scotland is also focusing on decarbonising public sector estates. In 2021, they published a Heat in buildings strategy, committing £1.8 billion for energy efficiency and zero carbon heating, which lead to the formation of the Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation scheme.

The scheme has the following in place for public sector bodies:

The Scottish Public Sector Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme
The Scottish Public Sector Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency (NDEE) Frameworks and Project Support Unit (PSU):
guidance for NDEE framework projects over £1 million
guidance for NDEE framework projects sub £1 million
guidance for NDEE framework PSU
The Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant scheme

Welsh Procurement Alliance - Decarbonisation & Energy Efficiency (N8) Framework

The Welsh Procurement Alliance has developed the Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency framework (N8), which enables allows local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to work with specialist suppliers for the installation of energy efficiency. This is broken into lots covering different sized housing schemes, schools and colleges and other public sector buildings.

This framework covers:

External wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation
Internal wall insulation
Insulation materials (Loft)
Biomass boilers
Solar PV with battery storage
Air to water heat pumps
District heating interface units
Traditional boilers
Rainscreen and cladding
Combined heat & power (CHP) or combined cooling & heat & power (CCHP)
Gas absorption heat pumps
Boiler optimisation technologies
Lighting controls
EV charging infrastructure
Solar thermal systems
Building energy management systems
Floor insulation
Ground source heat pumps
Commercial boilers
Electric heaters

Bid Writing for Decarbonisation, Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Tenders in the UK

Thornton & Lowe can help you source and respond to these critical opportunities. We have been providing bid writing consultancy services since 2009 to our range of public sector, SME and blue chip clients.

For further information or a quote please contact us now using the form below! For more information see our content on Energy Tenders

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Decarbonisation Tenders

Scotland is also focusing on decarbonising public sector estates. In 2021, they published a Heat in buildings strategy, committing £1.8 billion for energy efficiency and zero carbon heating, which lead to the formation of the Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation scheme.

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