Award

VCMA project - Fuel Bank Foundation - Further expand Fuel Bank across Northern England

  • NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-002656

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0434b8

Published 25 January 2024, 10:20pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

1100 Century Way Thorpe Park

LEEDS

LS158TU

Contact

Rebecca Rowley

Email

rrowley@northerngas.co.uk

Telephone

+44 7935077342

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKE42 - Leeds

Companies House

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

Internet address(es)

Main address

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

VCMA project - Fuel Bank Foundation - Further expand Fuel Bank across Northern England

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance

for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or

indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to selfdisconnect,

when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. And in the current climate we are

seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. These services are only able

to be delivered by this independent charity.

As a fully independent charitable foundation 'Fuel Bank' has supported over 1 million people - who in turn are

supplied by all UK energy suppliers - since launch eight years ago. We have developed a network of 675

partners across the country who act as an entry point into Fuel Bank. A mix of national bodies and local,

community-based organisations, what unites them and makes them part of Fuel Bank is that they target distinct

demographic groups or particular types of need and identify households in Fuel Crisis. These families are

referred into and provided with same-day help from Fuel Bank, to get 'the lights back on and the gas reflowing

by tea-time', alongside being provided by relevant and easy-to-access energy advice to give additional support

and to lower household money spent on energy. Our key target is that we provide support and help to people

within hours of them being referred to us; currently we achieve this over 98% of the time. This creates the

enabler that advice provided can be acted upon, with an aim to reduce the propensity for future referral into

Fuel Bank for continued crisis help.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKC - North East (England)
  • UKD - North West (England)
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self- isconnection or severe rationing or indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to self disconnect, when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. And in the current climate we are seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. These services are only able to be delivered by this independent charity.

As a fully independent charitable foundation 'Fuel Bank' has supported over 1 million people - who in turn are

supplied by all UK energy suppliers - since launch eight years ago. We have developed a network of 675

partners across the country who act as an entry point into Fuel Bank. A mix of national bodies and local,

community-based organisations, what unites them and makes them part of Fuel Bank is that they target distinct demographic groups or particular types of need and identify households in Fuel Crisis. These families are referred into and provided with same-day help from Fuel Bank, to get 'the lights back on and the gas re flowing by tea-time', alongside being provided by relevant and easy-to-access energy advice to give additional support and to lower household money spent on energy. Our key target is that we provide support and help to people within hours of them being referred to us; currently we achieve this over 98% of the time. This creates the enabler that advice provided can be acted upon, with an aim to reduce the propensity for future referral into

Fuel Bank for continued crisis help.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to selfdisconnect, when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. And in the current climate we are seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. These services are only able to be delivered by this independent charity.

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

Title

VCMA project - Fuel Bank Foundation - Further expand Fuel Bank across Northern England

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

25 January 2024

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £434,227


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Northern Gas Networks

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom