512_21 Provision of Energy Utility Meter Services

ESPO wishes to create a four-year multi supplier framework agreement for the provision of Half Hourly Meter Operator and Data Services, Non-Half Hourly Meter Operator and Data Services and Gas AMR Meter Operator and Data Services.

The framework will be in place for a period of 4 years with no further extension option.

It is anticipated that between 1 and 3 suppliers per lot shall be awarded a place on the framework, or a sufficient number to provide national coverage.

Lot 1 - Electricity Half Hourly Meter Operator and Data Collector/Data Aggregation Service

Lot 2 - Electricity Non-Half Hourly Meter Asset Provision, Meter Operator and Data Collector/Data Aggregation Services

Lot 3 - Gas Meter (AMR) Meter Operator and Data Collector/Data Aggregation Services

Half hourly and Non-half hourly electricity meter operators require membership of Association of Meter Operators (AMO) and Meter Operators Code of Practice Agreement (MOCOPA).

Gas AMR operators require membership of Automated Meter Reading Service Providers Code of Practice for Gas Meters (ASCoP).

Additional information: - The minimum financial requirement for the purposes of the current tender exercise is stated in the procurement documents. This framework will operate on-going contract monitoring procedures following award, to ensure financial stability requirements are maintained. Credit rating checks will be carried out on a regular basis, using the credit rating agency, Creditsafe Business Solutions Limited. Any changes will be assessed (compared with a baseline credit rating score obtained at contract award stage) and significant changes or sustained degradation will be investigated.

- As a Central Purchasing Body as defined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Framework Agreement is open for use by Public Bodies (defined at https://www.espo.org/amfile/file/download/file/9608/) that also fall into one of the following classifications of user throughout all administrative regions of the UK: Local Authorities; Educational Establishments (including Academies); Central Government Departments and Agencies; Police, Fire & Rescue and Coastguard Emergency Services; NHS and HSC Bodies, including Ambulance Services; Registered Charities; Registered Social Landlords; The Corporate Office of the House of Lords, The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons; or any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament. Details of the classification of end user establishments and geographical areas are available at: https://www.espo.org/legal

- ESPO has established a commercial trading company, ESPO Trading Limited, whose target clients are third sector organisations such as national and local charities, public sector mutual organisations and other organisations involved in the delivery of services to or for the public sector. The successful Supplier may be asked to enter into an additional separate framework agreement (the Second Framework) with ESPO Trading Limited on materially similar terms to that found in the tender pack to be entered into by ESPO itself.

Any Second Framework agreement will be a purely commercial agreement and will, for the avoidance of doubt, not be governed by the Public Contract Regulations 2015 or other public procurement legislation. ESPO Trading Limited may enter into the second framework agreement with the successful supplier and make it available to third sector clients who themselves are not required to follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or other public procurement legislation. Accordingly, this is provided for bidders' information only.