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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Contract to design, build, operate and maintain the South Kilburn District Heat Network - (RESID-2324-005)

London Borough of Brent · award, contract

Tender information last checkedLast checked 1 Oct 2026, 16:11.

Opportunity overview

The Council is seeking a contractor to design, build, operate and maintain the ‘South Kilburn District Heat Network’ (SKDHN) to serve the South Kilburn regeneration area. SKDHN will be fully owned by the Authority. The Authority will own the heat generating plant and distributing network to the heat exchangers. The Initial Works will be followed by the Additional Works as set out in Appendix 2 of the ITPD (Specification) and defined in Clause 1 (Definitions and Interpretation) of the South Kilburn DHN Agreement. The term of contract includes fifteen years operation period with the ability for the Authority to extend for an additional period up to 10 years.

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Vital Energi Utilities Limited

Matched by exact name
Contract value
£37.8m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
12 Feb 2026
Award ID
048343-2026-1
Status
active
Location
Lancashire, UK, BB1 2LD, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV45232140 — District-heating mains construction work
  • CPV09300000 — Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy
  • CPV38551000 — Energy meters
  • CPV39715200 — Heating equipment
  • CPV45232141 — Heating works
  • CPV45232142 — Heat-transfer station construction work
  • CPV45232220 — Substation construction work
  • CPV45232221 — Transformer substation
  • CPV45251100 — Construction work for power plant
  • CPV45251200 — Heating plant construction work
  • CPV45251250 — District-heating plant construction work
  • CPV45259000 — Repair and maintenance of plant
  • CPV71314200 — Energy-management services

Lots

  • London Borough of Brent (the Authority) is seeking a contractor to design, build, maintain and operate the ‘South Kilburn District Heat Network’ (SKDHN) to serve the South Kilburn regeneration area. The SKDHN will sell heat to public sector third parties, subject to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or other procurement legislation as may be in force. SKDHN will be fully owned by the Authority. Heat will be supplied from an energy centre located in Unity Place, situated on the corner of Cambridge Road and Carlton Vale. The energy centre shall supply heat via a combination of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) on the building roof, with peak and reserve boilers, distribution pumps and thermal storage in the building basement. These ASHPs will provide low carbon and affordable heat to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and will supply heat to ~800 dwellings, a school and multiple commercial buildings. Additional ASHPs are required as the network expands and are to be located on the roof of the planned Hereford and Exeter building. The network includes a number of planned developments as well as existing buildings. The Authority is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to design, build, operate and maintain the SKDHN via a Design, Build, Operation and Maintenance Contract. The energy centre will be in an existing building that was constructed in circa 2021 as part of a new housing development. The Works shall include the design and fit out of the existing lower basement energy centre and design and installation of rooftop ASHP plant solution, the design and build of the heat network and the heat connections within the connecting buildings, and the operation and maintenance of the completed heat network including metering of customers’ demands. The Contractor is being employed as a competent civils, mechanical, electrical, controls, maintenance, and metering contractor for the Works (it should be noted that heat billing will be conducted in house by the Authority using the metered data collected by the Contractor). The Contractor is required to execute the works to provide a safe, cost-effective, high-quality installation compliant with all prevailing good industry practice, regulations and statutory requirements and in accordance with all tender drawings and specifications. The design, installation and operation of the heat network shall be fully compliant with CP 1 (2020) The Heat Network Code of Practice for the UK and have a carbon intensity of less than 100gr/kWh, which are mandatory requirements, among others, for the grant funding awarded by the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) for the project. The detailed design and specification in relation to the "Initial Works" (Phase 1) is set out in Appendix 2 of the ITPD (Specification). All associated drawings and documents are included within the Procurement Pack. A summary of works for the Phase 1 SKDHN comprise: • RIBA 4 design and installation of the heat network energy centre fit out. This energy centre is located within the existing basement plant room in Unity Place. • RIBA 4 design and installation of externally mounted ASHP plant on the roof of Unity Place, and the roof of Hereford and Exeter • RIBA 4 design and installation of thermal substations within the connecting buildings, and the design and installation of a buried heat network. • The operation, maintenance, heat metering services and to provide data to the Authority for monitoring KPIs of network performance and for billing customers. There is limited information currently available from developers for the buildings to be connected beyond Phase 1. These are Phases 2-4 of the project and detailed further within document S2002-"SEL-ZZ-XX-SP-Z-0001 Main Contractor Scope of Work". The Contract will include a procedure for agreeing the detail in relation to any works required following the Initial Works (Additional Works). Any references to "phases" contained in the documents provided to Bidders is for convenience only and does not represent the structure of the Project; these references should be interpreted in line with the above i.e. Initial Works and Additional Works, as set out in the Contract. For the purposes of: (a) evaluating the price of this Project; and (b) providing the Council with greater cost certainty, a set of assumptions regarding matters such as the number, type and timing of extensions / connections (Assumptions) have been developed for Phases 2-4. The Assumptions include a network pipe schedule, a list of connecting buildings with corresponding substation sizes, connecting pipe lengths and connection dates, and additional ASHP plant capacity. It should be noted that the connection timings for specific buildings shown as falling within the individual Phases 2, 3, and 4 are indicative only and based on high level information. The actual date that each of these buildings will connect may change, but all connections shown in Phases 2, 3, and 4 are expected to connect within the overall timeline for Phases 2-4 (and not a future Phase 5 or beyond). In respect of Bidders' pricing submissions, Bidders will be asked to submit: 1. a fixed price in respect of the Initial Works (including detailed breakdown); 2. a fixed price for some elements of the Additional Works based on the Assumptions (Core Items); 3. a fixed price for Services in relation to both the Initial Works and Additional Works; and 4. a schedule of rates (Schedule of Rates) for various items at day one prices. These rates should be those used by Bidders to arrive at the price submitted for the Initial Works and will be added to the Contract for use as a reference for: a. pricing in relation to any Additional Works where there is not currently sufficient certainty regarding the nature of the works (Non-Core Items); b. pricing in relation to any Core Items where the Assumptions are incorrect at the time of draw down; and c. pricing in relation to the Change Control procedure set out within the Contract. Provisional costs, in nominal terms, based on a percentage of the total estimated Works costs for Phases 2-4 (Provisional Costs) have been included in the Pricing Schedule to account for the Non-Core Items of the Additional Works; this is to allow the Council to understand the potential total costs and budgetary implications of this Project. The Provisional Costs will form part of the price evaluated by the Council and will be applied equally across all Final Tenders. Further information is provided in the ITPD and Pricing schedule. The Procurement Pack provides sufficient detail for Bidders to submit fixed prices for the Core Items based on the Assumptions. In respect of any Core Items forming part of any Additional Work: (a) where the Assumptions prove to be correct at the time of draw down, the Contractor will be held to the price submitted as part of its Final Tender; and (b) where the Assumptions prove to be incorrect at the time of draw down, the Contractor will be required to propose a revised price by reference to any deviations from the Assumptions and based on the Schedule of Rates. Any Non-Core Items will be priced based on the Schedule of Rates (to the extent possible). The fixed prices submitted and the Schedule of Rates will be indexed at the time of draw down using indices appropriate for this purpose, as specified in the Contract.Value not stated

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
DN704249
Status
complete
Main Procurement Category
works
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive dialogue

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Classification

Scheme
CPV
Id
45232140
Description
District-heating mains construction work

Covered By

GPA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Description
London Borough of Brent (the Authority) is seeking a contractor to design, build, maintain and operate the ‘South Kilburn District Heat Network’ (SKDHN) to serve the South Kilburn regeneration area. The SKDHN will sell heat to public sector third parties, subject to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or other procurement legislation as may be in force. SKDHN will be fully owned by the Authority. Heat will be supplied from an energy centre located in Unity Place, situated on the corner of Cambridge Road and Carlton Vale. The energy centre shall supply heat via a combination of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) on the building roof, with peak and reserve boilers, distribution pumps and thermal storage in the building basement. These ASHPs will provide low carbon and affordable heat to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and will supply heat to ~800 dwellings, a school and multiple commercial buildings. Additional ASHPs are required as the network expands and are to be located on the roof of the planned Hereford and Exeter building. The network includes a number of planned developments as well as existing buildings. The Authority is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to design, build, operate and maintain the SKDHN via a Design, Build, Operation and Maintenance Contract. The energy centre will be in an existing building that was constructed in circa 2021 as part of a new housing development. The Works shall include the design and fit out of the existing lower basement energy centre and design and installation of rooftop ASHP plant solution, the design and build of the heat network and the heat connections within the connecting buildings, and the operation and maintenance of the completed heat network including metering of customers’ demands. The Contractor is being employed as a competent civils, mechanical, electrical, controls, maintenance, and metering contractor for the Works (it should be noted that heat billing will be conducted in house by the Authority using the metered data collected by the Contractor). The Contractor is required to execute the works to provide a safe, cost-effective, high-quality installation compliant with all prevailing good industry practice, regulations and statutory requirements and in accordance with all tender drawings and specifications. The design, installation and operation of the heat network shall be fully compliant with CP 1 (2020) The Heat Network Code of Practice for the UK and have a carbon intensity of less than 100gr/kWh, which are mandatory requirements, among others, for the grant funding awarded by the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) for the project. The detailed design and specification in relation to the "Initial Works" (Phase 1) is set out in Appendix 2 of the ITPD (Specification). All associated drawings and documents are included within the Procurement Pack. A summary of works for the Phase 1 SKDHN comprise: • RIBA 4 design and installation of the heat network energy centre fit out. This energy centre is located within the existing basement plant room in Unity Place. • RIBA 4 design and installation of externally mounted ASHP plant on the roof of Unity Place, and the roof of Hereford and Exeter • RIBA 4 design and installation of thermal substations within the connecting buildings, and the design and installation of a buried heat network. • The operation, maintenance, heat metering services and to provide data to the Authority for monitoring KPIs of network performance and for billing customers. There is limited information currently available from developers for the buildings to be connected beyond Phase 1. These are Phases 2-4 of the project and detailed further within document S2002-"SEL-ZZ-XX-SP-Z-0001 Main Contractor Scope of Work". The Contract will include a procedure for agreeing the detail in relation to any works required following the Initial Works (Additional Works). Any references to "phases" contained in the documents provided to Bidders is for convenience only and does not represent the structure of the Project; these references should be interpreted in line with the above i.e. Initial Works and Additional Works, as set out in the Contract. For the purposes of: (a) evaluating the price of this Project; and (b) providing the Council with greater cost certainty, a set of assumptions regarding matters such as the number, type and timing of extensions / connections (Assumptions) have been developed for Phases 2-4. The Assumptions include a network pipe schedule, a list of connecting buildings with corresponding substation sizes, connecting pipe lengths and connection dates, and additional ASHP plant capacity. It should be noted that the connection timings for specific buildings shown as falling within the individual Phases 2, 3, and 4 are indicative only and based on high level information. The actual date that each of these buildings will connect may change, but all connections shown in Phases 2, 3, and 4 are expected to connect within the overall timeline for Phases 2-4 (and not a future Phase 5 or beyond). In respect of Bidders' pricing submissions, Bidders will be asked to submit: 1. a fixed price in respect of the Initial Works (including detailed breakdown); 2. a fixed price for some elements of the Additional Works based on the Assumptions (Core Items); 3. a fixed price for Services in relation to both the Initial Works and Additional Works; and 4. a schedule of rates (Schedule of Rates) for various items at day one prices. These rates should be those used by Bidders to arrive at the price submitted for the Initial Works and will be added to the Contract for use as a reference for: a. pricing in relation to any Additional Works where there is not currently sufficient certainty regarding the nature of the works (Non-Core Items); b. pricing in relation to any Core Items where the Assumptions are incorrect at the time of draw down; and c. pricing in relation to the Change Control procedure set out within the Contract. Provisional costs, in nominal terms, based on a percentage of the total estimated Works costs for Phases 2-4 (Provisional Costs) have been included in the Pricing Schedule to account for the Non-Core Items of the Additional Works; this is to allow the Council to understand the potential total costs and budgetary implications of this Project. The Provisional Costs will form part of the price evaluated by the Council and will be applied equally across all Final Tenders. Further information is provided in the ITPD and Pricing schedule. The Procurement Pack provides sufficient detail for Bidders to submit fixed prices for the Core Items based on the Assumptions. In respect of any Core Items forming part of any Additional Work: (a) where the Assumptions prove to be correct at the time of draw down, the Contractor will be held to the price submitted as part of its Final Tender; and (b) where the Assumptions prove to be incorrect at the time of draw down, the Contractor will be required to propose a revised price by reference to any deviations from the Assumptions and based on the Schedule of Rates. Any Non-Core Items will be priced based on the Schedule of Rates (to the extent possible). The fixed prices submitted and the Schedule of Rates will be indexed at the time of draw down using indices appropriate for this purpose, as specified in the Contract.
Has Options
No
Status
cancelled

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
50
Criterion 2
Name
Commercial and risk
Type
quality
Description
5
Criterion 3
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 4
Type
price
Description
35

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
09300000
Description
Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
38551000
Description
Energy meters
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
39715200
Description
Heating equipment
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
45232141
Description
Heating works
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
45232142
Description
Heat-transfer station construction work
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
45232220
Description
Substation construction work
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
45232221
Description
Transformer substation
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
45251100
Description
Construction work for power plant
Entry 9
Scheme
CPV
Id
45251200
Description
Heating plant construction work
Entry 10
Scheme
CPV
Id
45251250
Description
District-heating plant construction work
Entry 11
Scheme
CPV
Id
45259000
Description
Repair and maintenance of plant
Entry 12
Scheme
CPV
Id
71314200
Description
Energy-management services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKI72

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
London Borough of Brent
Id
GB-FTS-3165

Identifier

Legal Name
London Borough of Brent

Address

Street Address
Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way
Locality
Wembley
Region
UKI72
Postal Code
HA9 0FJ
Country Name
United Kingdom

Contact

Name
Mr Bhavin Mistry
Telephone
+44 2089373615

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Scheme
COFOG
Id
01
Description
General public services
Organisation 2
Name
Vital Energi Utilities Limited
Id
GB-FTS-182210

Identifier

Legal Name
Vital Energi Utilities Limited

Address

Street Address
Century House, Roman Road, Blackburn
Locality
Lancashire
Region
UK
Postal Code
BB1 2LD
Country Name
United Kingdom

Roles

supplier

Details

Scale
large
Organisation 3
Name
High Court of England & Wales
Id
GB-FTS-93679

Identifier

Legal Name
High Court of England & Wales

Address

Street Address
7 The Rolls Building, Fetter Lane
Locality
London
Postal Code
EC4A 1NL
Country Name
United Kingdom

Roles

reviewBody

Award information

Award 1
Id
048343-2026-1
Status
active

Related lots

1

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-182210
Name
Vital Energi Utilities Limited

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
048343-2026-1
Award ID
048343-2026-1
Status
active
Date Signed
12 Feb 2026, 00:00

Value

Amount
37,768,947
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Wembley · UKI72 · HA9 0FJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKI72

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 048343-2026award, contract ·