Official UK procurement notice
Heat Network Consultancy Services Framework
Authority: Trafford Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionObjectives of this Procurement
This procurement establishes an 8-year Open Framework Agreement from 2 November 2026 for Heat Network Consultancy Services, structured as a non-ranked arrangement under the Open Procedure in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
The Framework is designed to:
- Provide compliant, efficient access to pre-qualified specialist heat network consultants across technical, financial, legal, and operational disciplines
- Support high-quality, commercially viable heat network project delivery across the full project lifecycle
- Maintain a competitive and open market through biannual re-opening to new entrants
- Ensure full alignment with the Procurement Act 2023 and associated secondary legislation
- Embed robust governance, transparency, performance monitoring, and consumer protection standards
- Promote SME participation, innovation, and social value outcomes
The Framework will be periodically refreshed to admit new consultants, ensuring the supply base remains current and competitive throughout the agreement term.
CPV: Calculation of costs, monitoring of costs · District heating · Energy-efficiency consultancy services · Feasibility study, advisory service, analysis · Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services · Legal advisory services · Project and design preparation, estimation of costs
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Framework period
- 8 yrs from 2 Nov 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 31 Oct 2034
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- 2.50% of call-off value
Who may buy through it
UK public sector contracting authoirities, or any body including the third sector being funded through public sector finances.
Published description of the framework
Submitted day rates as part of framework application, with award via Direct awards or mini competition.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £1,700,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Non Technical Servicesceiling above
Lot 1
Non-Technical Services Lot
Sub category Description
SC 1.1 Heat Network Strategy, Zoning & Local Authority Readiness
SC 1.2 Feasibility, Strategic Planning & Investment Due Diligence
SC 1.3 Commercial, Financial & Legal Advisory
SC 1.4 Procurement, Tendering & Transaction Support
SC 1.5 Consumer Protection, Billing & Customer Services Compliance
SC 1.6 Tariff Setting and Review
SC 1.7 In-Project Resident Engagement and Behavioural Support
SC 1.8 Consumer Protection Delivery and Complaints Handling
SC 1.9 Project Management & Programme Delivery
SC 1.10 Commercial Contract Review & Renegotiation for Existing Heat Networks
SC 1.11 Assessor Services - Non Technical
SC 1.12 Certification & Independent Verification - Non Technical
SC 1.13 Design Compliance & Assurance - Non Technical
SC 1.14 Training and Knowledge Transfer - Non Technical
Lot #2Technical Servicesceiling above
SC 2.1 Developed Design
SC 2.2 Technical Design, Detailed Development & Technical Design Assurance
SC 2.3 Construction Design & Pre-Construction Services
SC 2.4 Installation, Construction Oversight & Site Supervision
SC 2.5 Commissioning, Testing, Acceptance and Technical Assessment
SC 2.6 Operation, Maintenance, Performance Optimisation and Technical Certification
SC 2.7 Building Readiness & Customer Connection Support
SC 2.8 Data, Digital & Smart Network Services
SC 2.9 Decarbonisation and Futureproofing Advisory
SC 2.10 Asset Condition Assessment, Lifecycle Planning & Technical Diligence
SC 2.11 Emergency Technical Response & Resilience Planning
SC 2.12 Training and Knowledge Transfer - Technical
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 (2)
- Quality including Social Value: 65%
- Price: 35%
Published award criteria (2)
- Price
- Quality including Social Value
- Price carries 35 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Heat Network Consultancy Services Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
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
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- UK public sector contracting authoirities, or any body including the third sector being funded through public sector finances. · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 12 Dec 2025, 11:01 GMT
- Last source update
- 15 Jun 2026, 15:54 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 15 Oct 2026
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-055659- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f490Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 13 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · 2.50% of call-off value
Timeline
12 Dec 2025 → 2 Nov 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published313 days ago12 Dec 2025, 11:01 GMT
- Market engagement281 days ago12 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire - deadline to complete 12th January 2026.
Online Webinar - 23rd January 2026 - 10am till 11:30am
Possible individual sessions with suppliers following the above.
- Next notice expected253 days ago9 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published131 days ago12 Jun 2026, 12:29 BST
- Latest notice published127 days ago15 Jun 2026, 15:54 BST
- Clarification questions by105 days ago8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends100 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown13 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by5 days ago15 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today21 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 12 days2 Nov 2026
Notice history
10 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 12 Dec 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published12 Dec 2025, 11:01 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published15 Dec 2025, 16:38 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published15 Dec 2025, 16:42 GMTUK2
- Published value updated to £300,000,00015 Dec 2025, 16:42 GMTwas £50,000,000
- Tender notice published12 Jun 2026, 12:29 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £1,700,000,00012 Jun 2026, 12:29 BSTwas £300,000,000
- Status changed to active12 Jun 2026, 12:29 BST
- Procurement method changed12 Jun 2026, 12:29 BST
- Deadline published: 13 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST12 Jun 2026, 12:29 BST
- Tender notice published15 Jun 2026, 15:54 BSTUK4
Published amendments (3)
Estimated Value £300m - Further scoping has identified that market value potential through this framework is circa £300m. This may be further refined as a result of the upcoming Pre Market Engagement exercise.
Estimated value changed to £300m. Further scoping has identified that market value potential through this framework is circa £300m. This may be further refined as a result of the upcoming pre market engagement exercise.
Additional CPV code added. Addtional sub-categories added under lot 2.
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-12: 2 releases · 12 Dec 2025, 15 Dec 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- 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