Scope
Description
The Department for Transport is seeking to appoint a Delivery Partner to support delivery of the third window of the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF). This will include evaluating applicants, drafting grant agreements, and monitoring the post-award funding.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £214,000 excluding VAT
- £256,800 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 November 2025 to 30 June 2026
- 7 months, 26 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71356000 - Technical services
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
We anticipated having c.17 bids and 5 to 15 successful projects in window 3 of the Advanced Fuels Fund grant scheme. This was based on the wider team's regular engagement with industry/projects who had expressed interest, the shortened funding period compared to previous windows, and a policy decision to raise the pass mark for funding from 50% to 65%. Given these factors, it was not considered likely that we would see an uptick in applications, and we anticipated a higher number of ineligible applications given the introduction of the SAF Mandate and therefore more strictly defined eligibility criteria.
However, 34 bids were received and 17 successful projects following assessment. The additional work required to assess the added bids and monitor the increased number of successful projects has increased the forecasted RDEL costs.
Supplier
Ricardo AEA Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRWX-2796-TVZH
Gemini Building
London
OX11 0QR
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Department for Transport
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLTC-5358-LTWZ
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR
United Kingdom
Email: dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government