Scope
Reference
512_25
Description
A framework agreement covering Half Hourly Electricity Meter Operator Services, data collection and data aggregation services.
The framework has been tailored to help customers achieve compliance with the requirements of the upcoming Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) and is anticipated to be a multi-supplier framework.
Tenderers were required to confirm and evidence their compliance with key industry standards and memberships as a condition for their tender to be evaluated.
Tenderers were required to install meters and offer data collection/data aggregation (DC/DA) services throughout England. While not mandatory, it is preferable for suppliers to also offer coverage in Scotland and Wales.
For any additional details please also refer to the ESPO website as follows: https://www.espo.org/utility-metering-data-services-512-25.html
Note: Overall framework award was concluded on 10/02/2026, with this notice being published to follow on from this.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Framework
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
As a public body, ESPO has a statutory obligation to recover the costs associated with the management of this Framework Agreement. This obligation is met through the application of a Framework Fee, payable by Suppliers to ESPO. This is applied at a fixed rate (per MPAN per annum).
Framework operation description
Call-offs via the 512_25 Framework will be permitted in the following ways in accordance with section 45 of the Procurement Act 2023 (and any subsequent amendment or re-enactment thereof):
Call-off without competition
'Calling-off' Services from a Supplier identified who is a) included in the Framework; b) suitable for meeting the Customer's specific needs and; c) identified as offering the Most Advantageous Solution to the Customer's requirements, based on source(s) of information for Customers' supplier selection decisions.
Call-off with competition (Further Competitive Selection Process)
'Calling-off' by conducting a further competitive selection process amongst those Suppliers identified in the Framework as being able to provide the required Services. This means that not all competitive selection processes will necessarily include all the Suppliers - a customer will only invite those Suppliers that are included in the Framework for the particular type of contract required. Customers will assess the suppliers as set out in the terms and conditions of the Framework.
When assessing proposals submitted under a further competitive selection process, Customers may include conditions of participation to assess Suppliers' technical ability to perform the contract as part of the competitive selection process as determined according to the Customer's own particular circumstances.
Any assessment of Suppliers' proposals under a further competitive selection process must be based only on some or all of the award criteria that were used to assess tenders when the framework was awarded. Customers may refine these criteria, for example, by including additional sub-criteria or by explaining the criteria further.
Further competitive selection processes may be conducted directly by the Customer, or by ESPO, or by any other appropriate third party on the Customer's behalf. Please note that once this Framework is established, the right is reserved by the Customer when running a further competitive selection process, to invite the Suppliers to participate in an eAuction. Meetings with Suppliers, interviews, presentations and/or site visits may be required as part of the process at further competition stage as determined by the Customer.
All Services provided under the Framework will be provided and delivered directly to the Customers, in accordance with instructions given to the Supplier at the time of placing the order. Liability for payment of the Supplier's invoices will rest solely with the Customer, as appropriate in each case.
ESPO Trading Limited Second Framework:
ESPO has established a commercial trading company, ESPO Trading Limited, whose target clients are third sector organisations such as national and local charities, public sector mutual organisations and other organisations involved in the delivery of services to or for the public sector. The successful Supplier may be asked to enter into an additional separate framework agreement (the Second Framework) with ESPO Trading Limited on materially similar terms to that found in the tender pack to be entered into by ESPO itself.
Any Second Framework agreement will be a purely commercial agreement and will, for the avoidance of doubt, not be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 or other public procurement legislation. ESPO Trading Limited may enter into the second framework agreement with the successful supplier and make it available to third sector clients who themselves are not required to follow the Procurement Act 2023 or other public procurement legislation. Accordingly, this is provided for tenderers information only.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
As a Centralised procurement authority as defined in the Procurement Act 2023, the Framework is open for use by Public Bodies (defined at https://www.espo.org/amfile/file/download/file/9608/) that also fall into one of the following classifications of user throughout all administrative regions of England, Scotland and Wales: Local Authorities; Educational Establishments (including Academies); Central Government Departments and Agencies; Police, Fire & Rescue and Coastguard Emergency Services; NHS Bodies including Ambulance Services; Registered Charities; Registered Social Landlords; The Corporate Office of the House of Lords, The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons; or any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament. Details of the classification of end user establishments and geographical areas are available at: https://www.espo.org/legal
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKM - Scotland
- UKL - Wales
Contract 1. 512_25 Utility Metering and Data Services
Suppliers (3)
Contract value
- £16,666,667 excluding VAT
- £20,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates
- 10 February 2026 to 9 February 2028
- Possible extension to 9 February 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months (under normal circumstances this will be completed in full, or potentially in 12-month periods, and is subject to the performance of the framework).
The total estimated framework value captured in this notice includes the option to extend as noted above.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 38551000 - Energy meters
- 38554000 - Electricity meters
- 65300000 - Electricity distribution and related services
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKL - Wales
- UKM - Scotland
Signed contract documents
512_25 Framework Agreement (Utility Metering & Data Services).pdf
512_25 Framework Agreement (Utility Metering & Data Services)
512_25 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms (Utility Metering & Data Services).pdf
512_25 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms (Utility Metering & Data Services)
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
NPOWER COMMERCIAL GAS LIMITED
- Companies House: 03768856
Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park
Coventry
CV4 8LG
United Kingdom
Email: bidmanagement@npower.com
Region: UKG33 - Coventry
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. 512_25 Utility Metering and Data Services
SMS ENERGY SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 03197379
Prennau House Copse Walk, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Pontprennau
Cardiff
CF23 8XH
United Kingdom
Email: commerciales@sms-plc.com
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. 512_25 Utility Metering and Data Services
STARK SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL LTD.
- Companies House: 02911704
Sentinel House, 10-12 Massetts Road
Horley
RH6 7DE
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@stark.co.uk
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. 512_25 Utility Metering and Data Services
Contracting authority
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDD-1122-TCVN
Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Leicester
LE19 1ES
United Kingdom
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government