Planning

**SOFT MARKET TESTING** Solar Farms on Essex County Council owned Landholdings

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Dec 2022 at 11:34

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is planning a procurement process titled "**SOFT MARKET TESTING** Solar Farms on Essex County Council owned Landholdings" within the solar photovoltaic modules industry category in England, United Kingdom. This opportunity is currently at the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for January 13, 2023. The Council is exploring opportunities to develop solar generation on its land assets, with a soft market test deadline for responses on January 13, 2023. Interested parties can access the tender details via the Council's e-sourcing portal.

This soft market testing opportunity by Essex County Council presents a chance for businesses in the solar installation and construction industry to engage with the Council regarding potential solar farm development projects. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would find this opportunity particularly suitable. By participating in this soft market test, businesses can provide feedback, assess feasibility, and potentially position themselves for future contract opportunities with Essex County Council in the renewable energy sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

**SOFT MARKET TESTING** Solar Farms on Essex County Council owned Landholdings

Notice Description

Essex County Council (the Council) has a commitment in Everyone's Essex 2021 to 2025 to accelerate the county's transition to renewable and sustainable energy. As part of this, the Council has set a target for its core estate to reach net zero by 2030. Electricity consumption is projected to decrease over the coming years through investment in energy efficiency and estate rationalisation, but the Council also has a commitment, through its renewable electricity strategy, to access 100% of its energy requirement from renewable sources and to maximise opportunities for both onsite and offsite renewable electricity generation. As part of this commitment, the Council is keen to explore opportunities to develop solar generation on land assets that it owns. This could include both private wire and grid connected opportunities, with the potential for the Council to act as an off-taker for any projects that come forward. The Council has reviewed its landholdings and identified FOUR sites for development consideration. These sites have all undergone various land assessments to determine risk. The Council wants to determine the feasibility of developing ground mounted solar farms on these four sites and invites interested parties to respond to the Q&A pack prepared as part of this soft market testing. Responses will be reviewed, and shortlisted parties invited for a virtual Q&A session on the 30th or 31st January 2023. At this stage this opportunity is soft market test only and NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION. This market test exercise is to allow the Council to ascertain interest from the market, investigate potential options, and consider the best route for a potential future contract opportunity. Further details and a questionnaire pack can be located via the Council's e-sourcing portal, ProContract: https://procontract.due-north.com/Login Please note that you will need to register a supplier account to access the soft market test questionnaire pack. However, the registration process is free of charge and provides access to all the current and forthcoming procurement opportunities for Essex County Council alongside several other public sector organisations. The deadline for the soft market test responses will be Friday 13th January 2023 at 12:00pm; all responses and clarifications must be submitted via ProContract. Additional information: Respondents are advised that the purpose of this PIN is to engage in dialogue with the market and ascertain interest / feasibility of the potential opportunity. The scope of service, date of publication or potential contract value may be amended following the conclusion of soft market testing and should not be taken as a final "version" of requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-23fe655a-7f21-4b4b-a68a-b3d004ebde43
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8c365cc3-fb22-4eac-b781-e1aeb8641a09
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

09331200 - Solar photovoltaic modules

09332000 - Solar installation

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Dec 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Jan 2023Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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