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
Energy Safeguarding and CO Safety partnership
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Contract to be delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice, and co-funded by the four UK Gas Distribution Networks, this project aims to support vulnerable households with a single point of contact for independent and bespoke support to keep a safe and warm home for less. Working through Citizens Advice's network of local Energy Advice Partnership Hubs, with the potential to access the full Citizens Advice network where required, the partnership will deliver:
• A pilot for the first three months to assess the benefit of the provision of an Energy and CO Safety pack for customers who are at risk of CO exposure that includes; a CO alarm, a CO safety leaflet, a thermometer card, information on how to access the Fuel Poor Network Extension Scheme (FPNES), and an energy saving advice leaflet. If successful we will look to amend the PEA to continue the provision of these for the full duration of the project.
• Dedicated frontline worker CO safety training provided for Citizens Advice energy advisors across 79 Local Citizens Advice hubs across England and Wales to educate them on the sources, signs and symptoms of CO poisoning (including the risks around low-level poisoning), what actions to take if CO poisoning is suspected, and what they can do to prevent CO. Enabling them to identify CO signs/risks and provide CO awareness sessions for the customers they support.
• CO awareness sessions provided to customers including key CO messaging; annual appliance testing, CO alarm maintenance, identifying signs/symptoms, and actions if CO exposure/presence is suspected.
• An extension of the existing Citizens Advice Energy Advice Programme (EAP) enabling more customers to be supported with energy advice - behavioural, providing information on how to save energy by personal action
• Energy Tariff support / advocacy - supporting people with energy bills, debt, switching, fuel bill renegotiation - support to be an active energy consumer
• Benefit entitlement checks to ensure customers are receiving the appropriate benefits and grants based on their individual circumstances, including but not limited to Warm Home Discount.
• PSR registrations to the energy PSR (ensuring where possible the 'tick' to share information beyond the DNO / Supplier)
• Locking Cooker Valve referrals into regional GDN where a need is identified to add a safety device to the gas cooker
• Onward referral support to address other barriers to living in a safe and warm home, this could include but is not limited to; emergency funds, housing support, food vouchers etc.
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: £1,788,792
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice, and co-funded by the four UK Gas Distribution Networks, this project aims to support vulnerable households with a single point of contact for independent and bespoke support to keep a safe and warm home for less. Working through Citizens Advice's network of local Energy Advice Partnership Hubs, with the potential to access the full Citizens Advice network where required, the partnership will deliver:
• A pilot for the first three months to assess the benefit of the provision of an Energy and CO Safety pack for customers who are at risk of CO exposure that includes; a CO alarm, a CO safety leaflet, a thermometer card, information on how to access the Fuel Poor Network Extension Scheme (FPNES), and an energy saving advice leaflet. If successful we will look to amend the PEA to continue the provision of these for the full duration of the project.
• Dedicated frontline worker CO safety training provided for Citizens Advice energy advisors across 79 Local Citizens Advice hubs across England and Wales to educate them on the sources, signs and symptoms of CO poisoning (including the risks around low-level poisoning), what actions to take if CO poisoning is suspected, and what they can do to prevent CO. Enabling them to identify CO signs/risks and provide CO awareness sessions for the customers they support.
• CO awareness sessions provided to customers including key CO messaging; annual appliance testing, CO alarm maintenance, identifying signs/symptoms, and actions if CO exposure/presence is suspected.
• An extension of the existing Citizens Advice Energy Advice Programme (EAP) enabling more customers to be supported with energy advice - behavioural, providing information on how to save energy by personal action
• Energy Tariff support / advocacy - supporting people with energy bills, debt, switching, fuel bill renegotiation - support to be an active energy consumer
• Benefit entitlement checks to ensure customers are receiving the appropriate benefits and grants based on their individual circumstances, including but not limited to Warm Home Discount.
• PSR registrations to the energy PSR (ensuring where possible the 'tick' to share information beyond the DNO / Supplier)
• Locking Cooker Valve referrals into regional GDN where a need is identified to add a safety device to the gas cooker
• Onward referral support to address other barriers to living in a safe and warm home, this could include but is not limited to; emergency funds, housing support, food vouchers etc.
This project operates within all GDN networks and has been co-designed with Citizens Advice to find solutions that work for all our customers. It qualifies under the VCMA funding criteria as it will provide energy efficiency advice and CO safety advice/interventions, empowering each householder to use energy safely, efficiently, and affordably.
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 Cadent, Wales and West Utilities, SGN and NGN intend to put a contract in place with Citizens Advice as nationally only this one supplier offers this service. The four UK Gas Distribution Networks cannot risk this delivery of services and requires contract assurance, no other companies are able to provide/undertake the scope of requirements as this requirement has been developed specifically to meet all GDN's needs - This project is working with Citizens Advice Central and 79 local Citizens Advice Hubs across England and Wales in all four GDN footprints, the project aims to support vulnerable households with a single point of contact for independent and bespoke support to keep a safe and warm home for less. Through this partnership the Citizens Advice local Energy Advice Programme teams will work to directly support 17,500 vulnerable people with access to practical advice on the dangers of CO and how to mitigate these, as well as energy advice that improves their financial independence, their health and wellbeing, and increases their confidence to manage their household utility costs.
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
Citizens Advice National
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
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: £1,788,792
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Northern Gas Networks
Leeds
Country
United Kingdom