Official UK procurement notice
Biomass Research Programme · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionDESNZ is seeking to procure a contractor to provide research services for a four-year Biomass Research Programme. The programme will advance scientific understanding of the role and potential of biomass and bioenergy in supporting climate change mitigation, enhancing energy security, and de-risking the delivery of net zero.
It will include research on:
Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of biomass feedstocks and bioenergy systems
Biomass availability and demand across sectors
Sustainability criteria and environmental impacts
Co-benefits and trade-offs including biodiversity, air and water quality
Economic modelling of biomass-derived fuels and materials
The bioeconomy and its potential for growth and decarbonisation
The following skills and expertise are considered particularly important for this work:
Geospatial modelling
Spatial data analysis
Modelling climate scenarios
Scientific research
Scientific analysis
Policy development
Economic research
The project will additionally require strong project management capability to support the delivery of this research.
Outputs are likely to include:
Reports, policy briefings, and technical annexes
Updated models (e.g. UK & Global Bioenergy Resource Model)
Seminars, workshops, and teach-ins
Data sets and scenario analyses to inform policy decisions
The programme will be delivered through seven work packages (WP), covering:
WP1: Programme Management
WP2: Biomass Lifecycle Analysis
WP3: Feedstock Availability
WP4: Biomass Feedstocks for Industry
WP5: Biomass Sustainability Framework (with co-benefits & trade-offs)
WP6: Analyses of the Bioeconomy
WP7: A Flexible Fund for emerging evidence needs
DESNZ is holding a supplier event on MS Teams on 13.01.2026, consisting of a presentation by DESNZ followed by Q&A.
CPV: Research services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1Published value£4,080,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (5)
- 1. Understanding the Requirement (4 pages total excluding references): 15%
- 2. Methodology and Approach (15 pages total excluding references- use proportionate detail to value): 25%
- 3. Skills, Resource and Expertise (4 pages total excluding cvs and Organogram): 25%
- 4. Project Plan, Management and Risk: 25%
- 5. Social Value (6 pages total): 10%
Published award criteria (5)
- 1. Understanding the Requirement (4 pages total excluding references): 1a Understanding the Research Need Demonstrate an understanding of the research needs outlined in this requirement in the context of latest scientific developments and current research in the field. Includes articulating the complexity and interactions between different research themes, major evidence gaps, opportunities and stakeholders impacted. Strong answers will be supported by current evidence from across a range of disciplines, and will go beyond the level of information and detail outlined in the ITT. 1b Policy Relevance 5% Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant current UK policy landscape, and how the requirement would support delivery on the key policy objectives outlined in the requirement. Strong answers will identify realistic specific evidence needs for policy within this landscape and clearly link research themes and outputs to these. They will also go beyond the level of information and detail outlined in the ITT.
- 2. Methodology and Approach (15 pages total excluding references- use proportionate detail to value): 2a Data Sources Demonstrate an understanding of key datasets and data sources available that would be of use to addressing the research themes and questions outlined in the requirement, making reference to the relevant deliverables. Strong answers will identify data sources and assess how the data will be accessed, including how and who will be engaged to achieve this, as well as identifying the quality of the data and how uncertainty will be dealt with and demonstrate how this data will be used to answer the research questions in the requirement. 2b. Analytical Methods 20% Outline the proposed analytical methods to be used for each of the research themes to address the specified research questions and produce the specified deliverables. Methods should be credible and grounded in best practice. Alongside the methods proposed, bidders should provide their reasoning behind using it. Innovative approaches are welcome as long as their credibility and suitability can be demonstrated. Outline approach to quality assurance for deliverables, including how scientific rigour and independent peer review will be embedded into the work under all research themes. Bidders should explain clearly how they could build on other, on-going and related research efforts, both within the UK, and more widely to support the fulfilment of this requirement. Strong answers will also seek external expertise, as well as engage internationally.
- 3. Skills, Resource and Expertise (4 pages total excluding cvs and Organogram): 3a. Roles and Responsibilities Clearly assigned roles and responsibilities within the Project Team and between sub-contractors (if appropriate), and an appropriate allocation of resources for each task, with a clear and realistic plan for key roles in the event of staff loss. This should include details of how any skill and/or resource gaps that may emerge as the contract progresses will be addressed. 3b. Expertise 15% Demonstrating that the project team has the appropriate skills and expertise for the roles to which they have been assigned and can build on other, on-going and related research efforts, both within the UK and more widely. This will involve both transdisciplinary science and analytical skills, and science communication skills. Include a breakdown of the time spent by named individuals against specific work packages and themes. Two-page CVs are required for the project manager and work package technical leads and any other key staff members. CVs should also indicate projects of a similar scale or complexity that the individuals have delivered or supported on. Note, the CVs are outside of the page limit.
- 4. Project Plan, Management and Risk: 4a. Delivery Plan Submission of a clear, robust, and realistic delivery plan, including a legible Gantt Chart, detailing the delivery of key milestones, interdependencies and outputs to the contracting Authority. Note, the Gantt Chart is outside of the page limit. 4b. Project Management Plan and Risk Management 15% Providing a clear and workable plan for overall project management with a focus on governance and coordination, including the management of any sub-contractors across contrasting academic disciplines, and engagement with stakeholders and data providers as well as the use of clear change control processes. This should include: A clear statement on data management and handling A statement on working arrangements including coordination and cooperation with DESNZ. Explain the proposed approach for managing and administering the flexible fund from engagement for proposals, through to evaluation, selection, resourcing and delivery. A strong answer will address governance and demonstrate how specialist technical and research resource will be prioritised. Bidders should explain what budget control measures they will put in place to manage costs and budget throughout delivery of the programme including both fixed price work packages and the flexible fund. Bidders should identify key risks for the project and set out the steps that will be taken to manage and mitigate against them in a clear, comprehensive and realistic plan. Bidders should also set out how risks will be identified, assessed, prioritised, and monitored throughout the project. Note, the Risk Register is outside of the page limit.
- 5. Social Value (6 pages total): Describe the specific, measurable and time-bound commitment(s) your organisation will make to ensure that opportunities under the contract deliver Policy Outcome 3 in the Social Value Model2: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains, and the associated Model Award Criteria below. Model Award Criterion MAC3A: “Create a diverse supply chain to deliver the contract including new businesses and entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals Including creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and helping new organisations to grow, supporting economic growth and business creation.” Sub-Award Criteria: Your response may address, but is not limited to, the below sub-criteria: Create value chains that enhance innovation, knowledge transfer and practical application of research outputs Build collective knowledge on biomass research outcomes Support the growth of skills and employment opportunities Ensure knowledge on biomass research outcomes is made accessible and available Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions Plans for engaging a diverse range of businesses in engagement activities prior to appointing subcontractors (including activities prior to award of the main contract and during the contract term) Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain. Illustrative examples: co-design and co-creation of services; collaborative performance management; appropriate commercial arrangements; inclusive working methods; and use of inclusive technology Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions; Please include: - your ‘Method Statement’, stating how you will achieve this and how your commitment meets the Award Criteria, and - a timed project plan and process, including how you will implement your commitment and by when. Also, how you will monitor, measure and report on your commitments/the impact of your proposals. Suggested metrics include: - Direct spend with different organisation categories. - Number of organisations engaged and outreached to under the contract - Number of created knowledge products under the contract - how you will influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support the Policy Outcome. - at least one proposed KPI for Social Value which will be monitored alongside other contractual KPIs, in the same format as those identified in the Specification The response must demonstrate the specific additional commitments your organisation is making during the performance of the contract by deploying this scheme. If you are not in a position to commit to specific Social Value deliverables directly related to this contract award, then detail how your organisation at a corporate level seeks to deliver Social Value that aligns with the Themes and Model Award Criteria above. Please note that this would preclude you from being awarded top marks for this question and the maximum score to be awarded would be a 4.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 20 May 2025, 11:10 BST
- Last source update
- 19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 20 Nov 2026
- Authority reference
prj_5038 itt_2785- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-079042- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-051852Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 2 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
20 May 2025 → 14 Dec 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published20 May 2025, 11:10 BST
- Next notice expected77 days ago10 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Market engagement77 days ago10 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
Tender for the Biomass Research Programme
If you are interested in this potential opportunity, please complete the MS Form with your details.
Biomass Research Programme – forms.office.com/e/ca3n6nLRDG ↗
An ‘MS Teams’ invite will be circulated for the market engagement event on the week of the event with those who have signed up. We would ask that you have a maximum of 2 attendees from each organisation.
Participants will need to register by 4 PM GMT on 12.01.2026.
Please send any questions to [email protected]
by 4 PM GMT on 20.01.2026.
- Tender notice published68 days ago19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
- Clarification questions by54 days ago2 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission deadline13 days ago13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Today26 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 25 days20 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 48 days14 Dec 2026
Notice history
10 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 20 May 2025- Pipeline notice published20 May 2025, 11:10 BSTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published15 Dec 2025, 10:07 GMTUK2
- Published value updated to £4,080,00015 Dec 2025, 10:07 GMTwas £5,000,000
- Preliminary market engagement notice published14 Jan 2026, 12:53 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published3 Mar 2026, 12:19 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published24 Jul 2026, 15:49 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
- Procurement method changed19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
- Deadline published: 13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
Published amendments (3)
Update on 14/01/2026: Following the Preliminary Market Engagement Event, we have attached the presentation slides to the Opportunity Listing in Jaggaer which can be accessed here: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60672 If you are a Supplier interested to find partners to bid for the Biomass Research Programme please complete the form below. ht…
Updated 03/03/2026: The Question and Answer document and the Register of Suppliers seeking partners have now been uploaded to the Opportunity Listing in Jaggaer, which can be accessed via the link below. https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60672 The estimated publication date of the tender notice has been revised to 30/03/2026.
Updated 24/07/2026 due to delay in approval to procure the programme The procurement has now been approved to proceed The estimated publication date of the tender notice has been revised to 10/08/2026. The estimated contract date is 2 November 2026 with a term to 30 March 2030 and value of £4.08m The Question and Answer document and the Register of Suppliers seeking partners were uploaded in Mar…
Routine re-releases (6)
- 2026-01: 1 release · 14 Jan 2026
- 2025-12: 1 release · 15 Dec 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 20 May 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender