Contract award notice – utilities
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED
NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED
1100 Century Way Thorpe Park
LEEDS
LS158TU
UK
Contact person: Rebecca Rowley
Telephone: +44 7935077342
E-mail: rrowley@northerngas.co.uk
NUTS: UKE42
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk
I.6) Main activity
Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
VCMA project - Fuel Bank Foundation - Further expand Fuel Bank across Northern England
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
A contract has been put in place with The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) they are an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to self disconnect,
when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. In the current climate we are seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. These services are only able to be delivered by this independent charity.
As a fully independent charitable foundation 'Fuel Bank' has supported over 1 million people - who in turn are supplied by all UK energy suppliers - since launch eight years ago. We have developed a network of 675 partners across the country who act as an entry point into Fuel Bank. A mix of national bodies and local, community-based organisations, what unites them and makes them part of Fuel Bank is that they target distinct demographic groups or particular types of need and identify households in Fuel Crisis. These families are referred into and provided with same-day help from Fuel Bank, to get 'the lights back on and the gas reflowing by tea-time', alongside being provided by relevant and easy-to-access energy advice to give additional support and to lower household money spent on energy. Our key target is that we provide support and help to people within hours of them being referred to us; currently we achieve this over 98% of the time. This creates the enabler that advice provided can be acted upon, with an aim to reduce the propensity for future referral into Fuel Bank for continued crisis help.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
434 227.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
UKD
UKE
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A contract has been awarded to The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) they are an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to self-disconnect, when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. And in the current climate we are seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. A mix of national bodies and local, community-based organisations, what unites them and makes them part of Fuel Bank is that they target distinct demographic groups or particular types of need and identify households in Fuel Crisis. These families are referred into and provided with same-day help from Fuel Bank, to get 'the lights back on and the gas reflowing by tea-time', alongside being provided by relevant and easy-to-access energy advice to give additional support and to lower household money spent on energy. Our key target is that we provide support and help to people within hours of them being referred to us; currently we achieve this over 98% of the time. This creates the enabler that advice provided can be acted upon, with an aim to reduce the propensity for future referral into Fuel Bank for continued crisis help.
A number of simple, yet straight-forward criteria are used to determine when third parties refer a client for Fuel Bank support:
1. The consumer must pre-pay for energy.
2. They must also be in intense financial crisis, unable to fund the basic essentials for everydayliving (including food, rent or mortgage, energy, water, council tax, and essential travel).
3. The consumer must be at immediate risk of self-disconnection, or indeed have self disconnected,or is making choices that may be of a significant detriment to ensure that energy is funded.
4. The third party who identifies that financial Fuel Bank support is required has also identified some additional steps and actions needed to provide additional help. This can include, but isn't limited to benefits entitlement checks, debt advice, money and household management support, and energy efficiency advice and measures. Based on our most recent analysis 96% of clients are struggling with other essential household bills.
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
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
The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or indeed have self-disconnected. Self-disconnection is an unfortunate term: people don't choose to self disconnect, when the money runs out the electricity and gas switch off too. And in the current climate we are seeing more people than ever turn to the Foundation for much-needed support. These services are only able to be delivered by this independent charity.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2024/S 000-002656
Section V: Award of contract
Title: VCMA project - Fuel Bank Foundation - Further expand Fuel Bank across Northern England
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Fuel Bank Foundation
Fuel Bank Foundation
Staffordshire
UK
NUTS: UKG2
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 434 227.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Northern Gas Networks
Leeds
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/02/2024