- Is Open Framework Scheme
- Yes
- Method
- withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
- Type
- open
- Buyer Categories
- Any UK public body may access this Framework with the agreement of the Contracting Authority through LASER. Eligible organisations include:
a) Local authorities (county, unitary, district, borough, metropolitan, parish, and community councils)
b) Police, Fire, and Ambulance services
c) NHS Trusts and health bodies
d) Central government departments and agencies
e) Educational establishments (schools, academies, colleges, universities)
f) Registered social landlords and housing associations
g) Charities and third sector organisations
h) Publicly owned companies
i) Utilities as defined within Schedule 4 of the Procurement Act 2023
- Description
- The Framework is for Corporate Power Purchase Agreements and is not divided into lots. It covers a range of Corporate PPA structures, including physical and virtual arrangements. Suppliers are required to complete selection questions and submit quality and social value responses. Admission to the Framework is based on suppliers satisfying the applicable selection requirements and achieving the required minimum standards in the quality and social value assessments.
Suppliers may submit prices for none, some or all of the predefined pricing scenarios. Each submitted scenario price will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, with submission of a compliant price constituting a Pass. Pricing scenarios are not numerically scored and do not contribute to the supplier’s overall Framework evaluation score. A Pass establishes that a Framework-stage price is available for potential direct award under that scenario. A Fail does not prevent appointment to the Framework or participation in a mini-competition, but the supplier will not be eligible for direct award under that scenario.
Direct award will be available only for the PPA types and pricing scenarios specified in the Framework. A Participating Authority will use an Expression of Interest to identify suppliers that meet its stated objective requirements, which may include the required PPA structure, technology, volume, generation profile, contract tenor, commercial characteristics, risk allocation and additional project features. Where more than one supplier meets those requirements, the supplier may be selected using the highest overall Framework evaluation score or the highest score achieved for specified Framework questions or sections relevant to the requirement. The applicable selection method will be identified in the Expression of Interest.
Any direct award must use the applicable Framework-stage scenario price as a maximum price, subject only to the permitted CPI adjustment from the 2026 base year. The final direct award price must therefore be at or below the relevant submitted and adjusted price. Limited clarifications may be undertaken to confirm alignment, deliverability and pricing, but must not materially modify the Framework terms or distort competition.
Suppliers will also submit a pricing methodology statement for information only. It will not be scored, weighted or used to rank suppliers at Framework award stage, but may be referred to at Call-off stage to support clarification, due diligence, value-for-money assessment and the procurement audit trail where proposed pricing appears inconsistent with the supplier’s stated approach.
Contracts awarded through mini-competition will use project-specific pricing and the requirements, evaluation criteria and methodology specified by the Participating Authority. Mini-competitions may include an initial Expression of Interest, single or multi-stage evaluation, shortlisting, clarification, dialogue or negotiation, provided that the process is set out in advance and applied transparently and consistently.
As an Open Framework, the Framework will be reopened periodically, allowing new suppliers to apply and existing suppliers to update or resubmit their responses, including pricing.
- Open Framework Scheme End Date
- 13 Dec 2034, 23:59