Heat Network Metering and Billing - Soft Market Testing

Birmingham City Council is looking to source a new heat network metering and billing solution and a metering and billing agent across its heat network portfolio of 31 sites and circa 1500 properties.

The new heat network metering solution includes the following equipment: • Heat Meter • Payment Meter • In Home Display • Pre-payment Valve

The new heat network metering solution must be: • Transferable i.e. be able to be operated by different and multiple metering and billing agents to manage risk and provide value for money • Operate initially in Pay-As-You Go (PAYG) mode but have flexible functionality to operate in credit mode. • Reliable (meter read percentage of 95%), accurate (to all metering directives and regulations) and have a 10-year warranty period (kit and installation).

The scope of works of this contract will be as follows: 1. Install and commission the new heat network metering solution, including full project management and resident engagement/communication. 2. Ongoing metering and billing service to customers 3. Account management to the Council 4. Repair and maintain the heat network metering solution; in line with warranty periods and the Council's Repair Response Times

The Council is carrying out soft market testing in preparation for the procurement of its heat network metering and billing solution and service provider. This process will enable the Council to further understand the current market for this service area in more detail and collate valuable feedback for consideration and possible inclusion into the formal contract and tender process.

The soft market testing process will consist of 2 phases:

1. Phase 1: A detailed questionnaire for interested parties to complete. We would encourage participants to respond as openly and honestly as possible as all responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. 2. Phase 2: An informal 45-minute interview to discuss your individual responses in more detail. This interview will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams during w/c 18th or 25th September 2023.

If you are interested in participating in this soft market testing, please register online via the Council's In-tend e-tendering portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc

Registration and access to the In-tend electronic tendering tool is free. Interested parties must download a market testing questionnaire from the e-portal and submit completed questionnaires by 5pm on 8th September 2023.

Report any problems in accessing or using the In-tend e-portal via email at [email protected]

This market consultation exercise and the phases outlined above do not form part of any potential or subsequent procurement process and should not be treated as a formal call for competition. The intention of this market consultation is purely to assess and consider responses to this questionnaire in order to assist the council in developing the most viable and efficient future delivery service for this area.