Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED
1100 Century Way Thorpe Park
LEEDS
LS158TU
Contact
Rebecca Rowley
Telephone
+44 7935077342
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKE42 - Leeds
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk
one.6) Main activity
Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
The Fuel Bank Foundation - Fuel Crisis Support
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Contract for the partnership with the Fuel Bank Foundation will deliver direct financial support and practical help to maintain a safe and warm home to vulnerable households identified via a network of community support partners and where required by direct referral from the funding networks.
Through the partnership and directly provided by the Fuel Bank Foundation existing and new organisations requiring support for financially vulnerable households will have a pathway to access immediate or next day emergency fuel funds and the provision of additional support services to address long term debt and poverty. The provision of support will be tailored to meet household need with the overall ambition to provide immediate help but not a long-term dependency on aid to maintain a safe and warm home.
The partnership aims to;
• Provide emergency fuel vouchers to households in fuel crisis so they can access immediate financial support and where needed ongoing assistance to increase financial resilience and avoid dependency on emergency funds
• Broaden the network of organisations working to identify households in crisis based upon a growing need in the community in partnership with the regional gas network
• Introduce a referral pathway for gas networks to refer into the Fuel Bank Foundation where they identify a household in crisis
• Provide an audit on the allocation of funds allocated to ensure that household level usage is monitored to avoid creating a dependency on the scheme and to mitigate the fraudulent use of the scheme
• Introduce the provision of CO safety information and a pathway to access CO alarms where required
• Make a positive social impact as we work together to alleviate the pressures on community organisations and the NHS, reducing the need to use key care services
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £500,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The scope and objectives of the VCMA Project should be clearly defined including the benefits which would directly impact customers on the participating GDNs' network(s), and where the benefits of the VCMA Projects lie.
The partnership with the Fuel Bank Foundation will deliver direct financial support and practical help to maintain a safe and warm home to vulnerable households identified via a network of community support partners and where required by direct referral from the funding networks.
Through the partnership and directly provided by the Fuel Bank Foundation existing and new organisations requiring support for financially vulnerable households will have a pathway to access immediate or next day emergency fuel funds and the provision of additional support services to address long term debt and poverty. The provision of support will be tailored to meet household need with the overall ambition to provide immediate help but not a long-term dependency on aid to maintain a safe and warm home.
The partnership aims to;
• Provide emergency fuel vouchers to households in fuel crisis so they can access immediate financial support and where needed ongoing assistance to increase financial resilience and avoid dependency on emergency funds
• Broaden the network of organisations working to identify households in crisis based upon a growing need in the community in partnership with the regional gas network
• Introduce a referral pathway for gas networks to refer into the Fuel Bank Foundation where they identify a household in crisis
• Provide an audit on the allocation of funds allocated to ensure that household level usage is monitored to avoid creating a dependency on the scheme and to mitigate the fraudulent use of the scheme
• Introduce the provision of CO safety information and a pathway to access CO alarms where required
• Make a positive social impact as we work together to alleviate the pressures on community organisations and the NHS, reducing the need to use key care services
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
Collaborative VCMA project with Southern Gas Networks, Scotland Gas Networks, Wales & West Utilities, Cadent Gas and NGN intend to put a contract in place with Fuel Bank Foundation as nationally only this one supplier offers this service. The five utility Networks cannot risk this delivery of services and requires contract assurance, with no other companies able to provide/undertake the scope of requirements as this requirement has been developed specifically to meet all needs. The Services to be provided by the Supplier -
A supporting network of crisis support organisations to deliver same or next day financial support via the provision of emergency fuel credit top ups and a follow up service to address fuel poverty and reduce dependency on financial aid.
Increase the network of community organisations, including charities, working to identify households in fuel crisis who can access this funding.
Provide follow on services to include but not limited to registration to the Priority Services Register (PSR), energy advice, CO safety advice and access to CO alarms.
Providing services to reach a minimum of 8,000 households using the GDN Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance allocated funding.
Provide regional reporting, case studies, and contribute to the GDN national showcase event to demonstrate the impact of the partnership to householders accessing the emergency funds and support provided by the network of partners.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
1 January 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Fuel Bank Foundation
Staffordshire
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG2 - Shropshire and Staffordshire
Internet address
https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £500,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Northern Gas Networks
Leeds
Country
United Kingdom