Scope
Reference
itt_201
Description
City of London Corporation ("CoLC") is seeking via this Procurement to select a Heat Network Development Partner to develop the Network and, subject to receipt of the necessary approvals, deliver the Network.
It is intended that, as a result of this Procurement, CoLC will enter into a development agreement under which the Heat Network Development Partner (via the special purpose vehicle (the "SPV") established for development and delivery of the Network) is required to design and develop the Network up until the point at which it is ready to be built, at which point, it will present the project for approval by CoLC.
Provided that the project passes this "Approvals Gateway", CoLC and the Heat Network Development Partner will be required to enter into the Shareholders' Agreement which will govern the management of the SPV and impose obligations on delivery and operation of the Network. CoLC invests no capital in the SPV and derives no economic benefit as a Shareholder but, holds a "special" or "golden" share in the SPV which allows it certain rights as set out in more detail in the Contractual Documentation.
The geographical area for the development and delivery of the Network is bounded by:
a) the City of London boundary with Westminster, Camden, and Islington;
b) roads including Moorgate, Princes Street, King William Street, and London Bridge; and
c) the River Thames.
The indicative procurement dates for this opportunity are:
12/01/2026 - Deadline for initial clarification questions submitted (Enquiry Deadline)
26/01/2026 - Deadline for receipt of PSQ Response (Tender Submission Deadline)
23/03/2026 - Deadline for receipt of Interim Tender Responses
22/06/2026 - Deadline for receipt of Final Tender Responses
05/11/2026 - Assessment summaries & Contract Award Notice issued
26/11/2026 - Contract signature (Contract Start Date)
Total value (estimated)
- £4,342,000,000 excluding VAT
- £5,210,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 November 2026 to 31 August 2068
- 41 years, 9 months, 5 days
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45211360 - Urban development construction work
- 45232140 - District-heating mains construction work
- 45232141 - Heating works
- 71314000 - Energy and related services
Contract locations
- UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Submission
Enquiry deadline
12 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
26 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
This tendering exercise is being undertaken using the electronic tendering system 'City of London Corporation Sourcing & Contracts Portal' (https://cityoflondon.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/). Suppliers will need to register an interest on the system in order to participate and registration is free.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 November 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Technical (Qualitative) |
Quality | 50% |
| Commercial | Commercial (Qualitative + Quantitative) |
Price | 40% |
| Social Value | Social Value (Qualitative + Quantitative) |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Concession
Competitive flexible procedure description
This Competitive Flexible Procedure will be conducted in five (5) stages.
a. Stage 1: Conditions of Participation - issuing this Tender notice and a Procurement Specific Questionnaire, which includes the Conditions of Participation.
b. Stage 2: Interim Tender Response Phase - suppliers who have been successfully shortlisted at Stage 1 will be invited to submit an Interim Tender Response. This will be limited to a legal response on the Contract Documents. However, technical issues can be raised to the extent that they relate to contractual risks.
c. Stage 3: Dialogue Meetings - Following receipt of the Interim Tender Responses, dialogue meeting(s) will be held with each Supplier to discuss their responses in Stage 2.
d. Stage 4: Invitation to Submit a Final Tender Response - Stage 4 will commence with CoLC providing any documents which have been updated following Stage 3, and inviting suppliers to respond to the Technical, Commercial and Social Value questions.
e. Stage 5: Preferred Supplier Stage - CoLC will provide an assessment summary to all Suppliers that submitted Final Tender Responses. CoLC will clarify commitments with the Supplier who CoLC considers has the Most Advantageous Tender in order to finalise the Contractual Documentation. During this stage CoLC will not negotiate substantive terms post final tender evaluation and award, only using this stage to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender negotiation. This will ensure a confirmed understanding of how the contract will operate and reducing the risk of issues arising once the contract has been entered into.
The conditions of participation used in Stage 1 will include:
• Economic Financial Standing
• Insurance
• Technical Ability (relevant experience and case study examples)
• Data Protection
• Health & Safety
• Business Continuity
• Requirement under Section 73 in the Act
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Climate Action Strategy (not scored)
• Work Related Road Risk
• Living Wage
• Supplier Diversity Monitoring Form (not scored)
CoLC has included in section 10 of the Invitation to Tender a number of known risks, as defined in Schedule 1, paragraph 5(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. In the event any of the above-mentioned known risks materialise, CoLC reserves the right to modify the Contractual Documentation in accordance with section 74 of the Procurement Act 2023.
CoLC reserves their right under section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023 to refine award criteria before the invitation of final tenders.
Contracting authority
The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYQD-1693-MYXR
PO Box 270
City of London
EC2P 2EJ
United Kingdom
Email: robert.pine@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Website: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisations
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement support and advice
- Companies House: 01312453
8 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 4BJ
United Kingdom
Email: uk.procurement@arup.com
Website: http://www.arup.com
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
SHARPE PRITCHARD LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: Legal support to the project
- Companies House: OC378650
Elm Yard, 13-16 Elm St
London
WC1X 0BL
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@sharpepritchard.co.uk
Website: https://www.sharpepritchard.co.uk/
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: Commercial support to the project
- Companies House: OC346845
18 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3HZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Contact organisation
Contact The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London for any enquiries.