{ "uri": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Published/Notice/releases/1e6615e4-457e-43a9-8b44-eb964d232801.json", "publishedDate": "2025-12-17T17:33:24Z", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/master/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_tenderDatePublished_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Crown-Commercial-Service/ocds_awards_datePublished_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Crown-Commercial-Service/ocds_partyDetails_vcse_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Crown-Commercial-Service/ocds_tender_suitability_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json" ], "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "releases": [ { "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-61767f4d-928d-4629-a55d-e8189f593c24", "id": "1e6615e4-457e-43a9-8b44-eb964d232801-876411", "language": "en", "date": "2025-12-17T17:33:24Z", "tag": [ "planning" ], "initiationType": "tender", "title": "Soft Market Test for Heat Network Consultancy", "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "1", "title": "Engagement end date", "type": "engagement", "dueDate": "2026-01-05T23:59:59Z" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "1", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "description": "Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder", "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1e6615e4-457e-43a9-8b44-eb964d232801", "datePublished": "2025-12-17T17:33:24Z", "format": "text/html", "language": "en" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "PDT-25-75", "title": "Soft Market Test for Heat Network Consultancy", "description": "Please note that this is not a call for competition. \r\n\r\nSoft Market Test (SMT)\r\n\r\nPlus Dane is seeking early feedback from the market on how best to package and scope a potential future procurement opportunity. This is an exploratory stage, prior to any formal procurement process.\r\n\r\nThe SMT aims to:\r\n•\tUnderstand how providers might deliver the proposed service.\r\n•\tGauge market interest.\r\n•\tInform Plus Dane's options appraisal and recommendations.\r\n\r\nParticipation is voluntary and will not affect future opportunities. \r\n\r\nResponding does not guarantee an invitation to tender or that Plus Dane will proceed with procurement. Any future procurement will comply with the Procurement Act 2023.\r\n\r\nConfidentiality\r\n\r\nEach Party shall:\r\na)\ttreat the other Party's confidential Information as confidential and safeguard it; accordingly, and\r\nb)\tnot disclose the other Party's Confidential Information to any other person without the owner's prior written consent.\r\n \r\nIntroduction & Background\r\n\r\nWe are a housing association with a strong social purpose. We employ almost 600 people and have more than 13,500 homes across Merseyside and Cheshire. We are an ambitious organisation striving to provide the very best possible services to over 30,000 customers who live in our homes. We are passionate about our social purpose, and the positive impact that we can have on the communities our customers live in. \r\n\r\nOur Requirements \r\n\r\nOur heat network portfolio consists of 29 heat networks, with 2 district heat networks and 27 communal heat networks. Plus Dane operate both unmetered and metered heat networks. \r\nThe heat network industry will soon be fully regulated by Ofgem, having a significant impact on housing providers across the UK. To support with our journey to compliance for both existing and incoming Ofgem regulations, we require: \r\n1.\tRegulation Readiness Review which will analyse the current situation at Plus Dane regarding compliance with both existing and incoming heat network regulations, and provide an action plan to becoming compliant. \r\n2.\tA full suite of procurement services, including specifications, for a metering & billing contract. \r\n\r\nThis must be provided by an impartial and independent organisation who are not tied to any manufacturer or service provider.\r\n\r\nIf you are able to provide this, please provide your organisation's details to the email address provided by 05/01/26.", "status": "planning", "classification": { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "71321200", "description": "Heating-system design services" }, "items": [ { "id": "1", "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "North West", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ] } ], "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true } }, "parties": [ { "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/6ut37Y8B", "name": "PLUS DANE HOUSING GROUP LIMITED", "identifier": { "legalName": "PLUS DANE HOUSING GROUP LIMITED", "scheme": "GB-SRS", "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/6ut37Y8B" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Plus Dane Housing, Atlantic Pavilion,, Salthouse Quay, Royal Albert Dock", "locality": "LIVERPOOL", "postalCode": "L3 4AE", "countryName": "England" }, "contactPoint": { "name": "Catherine Bacon", "email": "catherine.bacon@plusdane.co.uk" }, "details": { "url": "http://www.plusdane.co.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ] } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/6ut37Y8B", "name": "PLUS DANE HOUSING GROUP LIMITED" } } ] }