Pipeline Framework: Purchasing, Distribution and Administration of Solid Fuel Benefits

A pipeline has been launched for Purchasing, Distribution and Administration of Solid Fuel Benefits.The contract start Date is 29 March 2025. Approach to market date is 6 March 2024.The purpose of this Prior Information Notice is to alert potential suppliers to an opportunity in relation to a potential requirement to support the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (“DESNZ”) deliver its legal obligations in relation to historic concessionary fuel liabilities.DESNZ wishes to commission a contract to manage the purchasing, distribution, and administration of solid fuel benefits to qualifying individuals under the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme (NCFS).We are looking to contract a supplier for up to 6 years (likely to be split into an initial 3 year term with an option to extend for an additional 3 years subject to requirements) to manage all aspects of the solid fuel supply element of the NCFS to around 3400 concessionaires who receive their concessionary fuel entitlement through a delivery of solid fuel. This number is declining in line with mortality rates. We expect the contract to commence on 29th March 2025 when a predicted 2680 concessionaires will remain.It is a demand led contract based on decreasing numbers with a number of variables and uncertainties. We therefore require a flexible service which allows for a decrease of the business and unpredicted changes in requirements.Responses need to be submitted by Monday 20th November 2023 13:00, following this the notice will end.This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: BEIS, Trinity Bridge House, Salford M3 5BS. Email: waseem.rana@energysecurity.gov.uk (Waseem Rana)