Renewable / Low Carbon Heating System Technology

Tandridge District Council (TDC) is undertaking pre-market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 to inform a potential future procurement relating to renewable heating solutions within its housing portfolio.

The objectives of this engagement are to:

• Understand market maturity in relation to renewable heating system technologies
• Assess capability relating to heat pumps and hydrogen-ready hybrid systems.
• Test appropriate commercial and contractual models
• Ensure proportionate and SME-accessible procurement design
• Inform an EPC Band Improvement Strategy

A summary of findings may be published in line with PA23 transparency requirements.

This PME is conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and associated statutory guidance. It does not form part of a live procurement, does not confer any advantage, and participation is entirely voluntary.

Responses will be used to inform internal option appraisal, procurement strategy, specification development, and contract structuring. No commercial commitments, shortlist, or supplier down selection will result from this exercise. This engagement is not a call for competition and does not form part of any tender evaluation.

TDC is undertaking this PME in line with the PA23 principles of transparency, integrity, non‑discrimination, and fair treatment. TDC will run the engagement in a transparent and proportionate way to avoid any unfair advantage and will take reasonable steps to identify and mitigate all conflicts of interest. Where required, TDC will publish the appropriate notices and will keep appropriate records of the engagement.

All information provided will be treated consistently and used proportionately to inform future decisions.

Scope of Renewables / Low-Carbon Gas Heating Technologies Services

For the purposes of this Market Engagement Questionnaire, Renewables refers to heat pumps or low-carbon gaseous fuels and associated heating technologies intended to reduce reliance on fossil natural gas within the housing portfolio.

This includes the use of ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and Hydrogen ready heating technology.

This engagement relates to the potential delivery of renewables or transitional low-carbon gas heating systems within occupied housing stock and/or as part of planned capital investment programmes. This may include:

• Lifecycle natural gas boiler replacement with alternative technology
• Hybrid retrofit
• Air Source heat pump installations and maintenance/servicing.
• Ground source heat pumps maintenance and servicing.
• Hydrogen-ready installations
• Strategic EPC uplift interventions
• Pilot Decarbonisation programmes

In a local authority housing context, renewable technology is considered transitional or future-ready solutions that support carbon reduction, EPC band improvement and long-term heat decarbonisation planning, while maintaining resident safety, affordability and regulatory compliance.

The term does not include fully electric heating systems or non-gas district heat networks, unless they are integrated within a hybrid gas-based solution. For the avoidance of doubt, this Market Engagement relates to alternative fossil fuel technology and does not include the following:

a) Fully Electric Heating Solutions

• Direct electric heating systems
• Infrared or panel heaters

(Unless forming part of a hybrid gas-based system.)

b) District or Communal Heat Networks

• Heat networks utilising fossil fuels
• Electrified heat interface unit systems

c) General Gas Servicing & Maintenance

• Annual gas safety checks LGSC (CP12)
• Reactive gas repairs
• Routine boiler servicing

(These may be subject to separate procurement exercises).

d) Fabric-Only Retrofit Measures

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• External wall insulation
• Window replacement

(Unless directly linked to performance modelling of gas renewable technologies).

e) Non-Domestic / Commercial Installations

• Corporate buildings
• Schools
• Leisure centres
• Commercial plant rooms

f) Fuel Procurement or Energy Supply Contracts

• Gas purchasing arrangements
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
• Energy retail supply contracts

g) Research-Only or Pilot Innovation Funding

• Academic-only research projects
• Grant-only feasibility studies not linked to deliverable housing installations

The relevant tender documents are now available via this link SE Shared Services eSourcing Portal - Home

To obtain the Questionnaire for this Pre Market Engagement and future Tender Documents when required you must be registered on the SE Shared Services In-tend portal and on the Central Digital Platform (CDP).

The PME Questionnaire can be accessed when logged into SE Shared Services eSourcing Portal - Home by selecting ‘Tenders’ then ‘My tenders’ & ‘View Details’ on the relevant advert.

Please download the Questionnaire and once completed please re upload to In-tend.

Please note that any communications with Tandridge District Council (TDC) in relation to this PME must be issued in writing via the correspondence function on Intend.