Contract

VCMA Projects - Fuel Poverty Awareness Training, Green Doctors Energy Matters and GEMS - Groundworks Energy Management Services.

  • NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

F20: Modification notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-018417

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-032f5b

Published 14 June 2024, 11:05am



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

1100 Cetury Way,Thorpe Park Business Centre, Colton

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


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

VCMA Projects - Fuel Poverty Awareness Training, Green Doctors Energy Matters and GEMS - Groundworks Energy Management Services.

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

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)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:

An extension has been put in place for 3 VCMA projects, Fuel Poverty Awareness Training, Green Doctors Energy Matters and GEMS - Groundworks Energy Management Services. All 3 projects have gone really well in the first year and have genereated a positive SROI.

The projects that have been submitted by Groundwork are unique in that nothing currently exists in the region in terms of these 3 specific project objectives. Green Doctors have no provision in the NE currently and this extensaion will enable Groundwork to extend their scope and reach of their projects. There is no other service provider who currently delivers a 1 day Fuel Poverty Awareness course and the Groundwork Energy Management Service project, is not offered by anyone else in Yorkshire. The Green Doctor Project is a partnership project with Northern Powergrid however, this is the first time it has been extended into the NE.

Groundwork have extensive reach into those customers living in fuel poverty and struggling with heat or eat decisions. This opens up opportunities to engage with those households in terms of energy switching, energy efficiency (small measures installation) and other associated services, such as PSR registrations and CO awareness. This is key and will reach both urban and rural communities. The FP Awareness course is delivered to front line workers who NGN can not reach. As a trusted intermediary this is something Groundwork delivers on our behalf. Stakeholder engagement throughout 2020 & 2021 told us that access to many of these services is becoming increasingly difficult (energy advice/small measures) and has been compounded by the pandemic. Green Doctors are well established in Yorkshire however, there is currently a gap in this service provision in the NE of our network which these projects will address.

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession

Duration in months

24


Section four. Procedure

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract

Notice number: 2022/S 000-012185


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Contract No

VCMA Projects

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:

1 April 2022

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Groundwork Yorkshire Limited

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
Companies House

Groundwork Yorkshire Limited

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)

Total value of the procurement: £132,150


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Northern Gas Networks

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom


Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession

seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications

seven.1.1) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

seven.1.3) Place of performance

NUTS code
  • UKC - North East (England)
  • UKD - North West (England)
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
  • UKF - East Midlands (England)
  • UKG - West Midlands (England)

seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:

Groundwork have been delivering the project - Energy Matters Yorkshire which was submitted by Groundwork as a unique service requirement in that nothing currently exists in the region. Over past years they have established a strong Energy Matters service in West Yorkshire and grown this into wider areas of Yorkshire. A Green Doctor visit includes: income saving and advice, energy use and health. Stakeholder engagement throughout GD2 told us that access to many of these services is becoming increasingly difficult (energy advice/small measures) and has been compounded by the pandemic. Green Doctors are well established in Yorkshire and NGN has a long standing relationship with Groundwork/Green Doctors as previously provided funding (jointly) for a Comfortable Living project.

The project looks at delivery in Yorkshire of 1000 Green Doctor visits over 2 years.

In addition, the Green Doctors provide follow up advocacy and support through:

- Referrals to other services such as Fire Service, Adult Social Care, Food Banks, Health care professionals, Housing support teams, Debt support charities

- Liaising and negotiating with energy suppliers to switch tariffs, remove or reduce existing fuel debt

- Access to grants for debt relief to tackle ongoing fuel debt issues

- Access to grants for white goods and other home appliances for the most vulnerable households

- Liaising with Local Authorities for tenants in poor quality private sector housing where the landlords are unwilling to make improvements to the property

• PSR signs up: 300 each year

• CO awareness surveys: 300 each year

seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession

Duration in months

22

seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot/concession:

£140,000

seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Groundwork Yorkshire Limited

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
Companies House

Groundwork Yorkshire Limited

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

seven.2) Information about modifications

seven.2.1) Description of the modifications

Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):

NGN look to extend the project of Energy Matters services with Groundwork. The services remain unchanged throughout this extension period but NGN look to extend the time for these services to be delivered and therefore hold additional spend with the supplier.

seven.2.2) Reasons for modification

Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.

Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:

Northern Gas Networks proposes to put in place an extension of VCMA Project with Groundwork Yorkshire to deliver the Green Doctors Energy Matters project.

The project has been submitted by Groundwork is unique in that nothing else exists in the region in terms of the specific project objectives. Green Doctors have no provision in the NE currently and this extension will enable Groundwork to extend their scope and reach of their projects.

Groundwork support local communities and businesses to build resilience and to help tackle hardship within their local areas. Thousands of projects every year make a real and lasting difference in the communities most in need of support. There are currently no other service providers who can deliver the Groundwork Energy Matters project, and it is not offered by anyone else in Yorkshire.

seven.2.3) Increase in price

Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)

Value excluding VAT: £264,300

Total contract value after the modifications

Value excluding VAT: £404,300