GSS24785 - Auction Platform services for the UK Emissions Trading Scheme

The Contracting Authority (DESNZ) intends to run a procurement exercise to obtain an auction platform provision contract to provide value for money auctioning of UK Emissions Trading Scheme allowances. This will also include related services (which include processing admissions to bid; clearing and settlement; high quality customer service; monitoring; and reporting) to Her Majesty's Government (HMG). Further details on UK ETS legislation can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/participating-in-the-uk-ets/participating-in-the-uk-ets

The first auction under the terms of the appointment will be on a specified date (to be agreed) on or after 1st January 2026.

For further information please find attached EOI document attached to this notice.

The Contracting Authority is utilising this PIN as a market engagement exercise to: (a) make the market aware of the upcoming requirement (b) to better understand the market landscape of suppliers who would be able to deliver this requirement and (c) request that any interested suppliers confirm their interest in bidding by Friday 22nd November 2024.

Additional information: Indicative contract value: The value of the contract is generated from the fee per allowance sold at auction charged by the appointed auction platform. Regulation 34 of the Auctioning Regulations sets out that the fees the appointed auction platform may charge must be no less favourable than comparable standard fees and conditions applied on the secondary market. Bidding suppliers will be asked to propose a fee per allowance sold at auction to charge successful auction bidders in their tender response.

The number of allowances auctioned per year are determined using the formula at Regulation 9 of the Auctioning Regulations. No fee is paid directly by the Contracting Authority to the auction service provider.

Duration: 3 years with two possible 1-year extension options (total duration of up to 5 years)

The Contracting Authority is seeking to engage with the market to obtain a stronger understanding of the market landscape and suppliers who are interested in fulfilling the accreditation requirements.

Questions for interested suppliers: 1) Please confirm if your company intends to bid for this requirement? 2) Do you hold RIE accreditation? 3) Do you hold RAP accreditation? 4) If the response to 2 and/or 3 above is 'no', please share your plan and timeline to obtaining the required accreditation(s), including the date on which you plan to provide the required information (as specified in the Recognised Investment Exchanges section of the FCA handbook) to the FCA.

We are inviting interested suppliers to respond to the above questions by completing this questionnaire https://forms.office.com/e/1YEkHzW8Qz by Friday 22nd November 2024.

By responding to the questionnaire, you will be engaging in non-competitive dialogue which will enable DESNZ to develop and assess the market's appetite, concerns and view on the formulation of its requirements. DESNZ may consider the information and responses received as part of the questionnaire to help inform the specification and further decision making in relation to the planning and conduct of the procurement, ensuring all valid options are considered. If only 1 supplier expresses interest, DESNZ will pursue a direct award.

For the avoidance, this notice is not a Call for Competition; a Contract Notice will be issued as a call for competition. Not providing a response to the questionnaire shall not prevent any supplier from participating in a future procurement, nor is it intended that any information suppliers as part of the market consultation place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.