PS21174 - Green Heat Network Fund Evaluation v2

***THIS PIN NOTICE IS TO NOTIFY SUPPLIERS OF A POTENTIAL UPCOMING REQUIREMENT THAT WILL BE ADVERTISED THROUGH THE CCS RM6126 RESEARCH & INSIGHTS DPS *** ***This is NOT a call for competition***

In a previous PIN (PS21174 - Green Heat Network Fund Evaluation) this opportunity was notified as being advertised on the CCS RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS. This PIN is to inform suppliers of a change to the previous PIN and that the opportunity will now be advertised through the CCS RM6126 Research & Insights DPS following a review of available frameworks and the approaching end date of RM6018.

The route to market for this tender will be via CCS RM6126 Research & Insights DPS (www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6126) and to bid for this work the lead contractor will need to be registered on the CCS RM6126 Research & Insights DPS prior to the requirement being launched.

The requirement is expected to be launched week commencing Monday, 31st January 2022, therefore, we advise contractors who are interested in bidding for this work to register on to the CCS RM6126 Research & Insights DPS as soon as possible to ensure registration is completed before the tender is launched. Noting that CCS have confirmed that this can take circa 15 days from registration.

Research Summary

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) wishes to commission an evaluation of the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) project. The GHNF is a capital grant programme providing funding for low-carbon heat generation and primary distribution for both new and existing heat networks.

A heat network is a distribution system of insulated pipes that take heat from a central source and deliver it to a number of buildings, and they are a crucial aspect of the critical path to decarbonising heat.

The GHNF will address barriers to developing low-carbon heat networks, and will contribute towards creating a sustainable heat networks market. Project sponsors (public, private and third sector) will apply directly to the fund, which will be operated by a Delivery Partner on behalf of BEIS.

BEIS expects the study to deliver interim and final process, impact and economic evaluations, beginning with a scoping exercise in April 2022 and continuing until March 2027, two years after the scheme closes to applicants. Interim findings will be used to inform any changes to the GHNF scheme design, and future policy.

Given the complex nature of the GHNF and its interactions, a complexity-appropriate approach to planning and delivering the evaluation is essential.

BEIS expects contractors to primarily use a theory-based approach, to understand in depth the reasons why and how the scheme did or did not achieve its desired outcomes. We are open to suggestions from contractors on specific methodologies but expect the evaluation to develop and be underpinned by a theory of change.

Please see Attachments for further information on the Research Summary.