Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Southend-on-Sea City Council
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend On Sea, Essex
Southend On Sea
SS26FA
UK
E-mail: procurementops@southend.gov.uk
NUTS: UKH31
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.southend.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
SHF Wave 3 Design and Build (Heat Pumps 2025)
Reference number: DN812129
II.1.2) Main CPV code
45232141
II.1.3) Type of contract
Works
II.1.4) Short description
The Council has awarded a contract for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of ground source heat pump systems to up to 231 dwellings within the Balmoral tower blocks comprising Brecon, Blackdown and Grampian House. The project is funded through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme, supported by Council match funding, and forms part of the Council's wider housing decarbonisation and fuel poverty reduction objectives.
The contract has been procured via FrameworkX and is subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
7 200 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
42511110
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH31
Main site or place of performance:
The works will be undertaken within the Balmoral tower blocks, comprising Brecon House, Blackdown House and Grampian House, located within the administrative area of Southend-on-Sea City Council, England.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract provides for the delivery of energy efficiency improvement works through the replacement of existing electric storage heating and direct electric heating systems with ground source heat pump technology in up to 231 residential properties. The scope includes design, resident liaison, installation, testing, commissioning and associated works required to deliver a compliant and operational system. The contract will support the Council's Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme and contribute towards improving energy performance, reducing carbon emissions and lowering household energy costs for residents. The contract term runs until 31 March 2028, in line with funding programme requirements.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
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
II.2.14) Additional information
The contract has been awarded by direct award under the Fusion21 framework. The Council was required to mobilise the project within challenging programme timescales associated with the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 grant. Grant funding is subject to fixed annual expenditure profiles and delays in procurement risked the loss of allocated funding and the Council's ability to deliver the project within the required programme period.
A framework route was selected as the most efficient and economically advantageous procurement mechanism, providing pre-competed terms and demonstrable value for money while enabling accelerated project mobilisation. Market assessment of the relevant framework lot identified a limited number of suitable suppliers capable of delivering the specialist ground source heat pump installation works required for high-rise residential buildings. Of the suppliers available on the framework, one supplier had subsequently entered administration and was therefore unable to undertake the contract, while the remaining alternative supplier was not considered capable of delivering the required services and programme outcomes within the necessary timescales. The appointed contractor was therefore the only available framework supplier able to meet the Council's technical, operational and programme requirements and ensure delivery of the funded scheme within the grant timetable.
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 procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation
The contract was awarded by direct award under the Fusion21 framework agreement, which was established in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The framework permits the award of call-off contracts without further competition where the relevant terms are established. The Council selected the supplier as the provider best able to meet the technical, programme and funding requirements of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 project. Accordingly, the award of this contract without prior publication of a separate contract notice is lawful under Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract
Title: SHF Wave 3 Design and Build (Heat Pumps 2025)
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
19/12/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Kensa Contracting Limited
08166502
Turo
UK
NUTS: UKH31
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 7 200 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The High Court of England and Wales
London
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
11/09/2026