Award

RPF-Heat Network Zone Project

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Feb 2026 at 09:53

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "RPF-Heat Network Zone Project" was commissioned by the Environment Agency's Climate Change & Energy (Decarbonisation and Net Zero Team). This initiative falls under the Environment & Business Directorate and aligns with the Regulator's Pioneer Fund 4th Round project. The procurement, focusing on research and development consultancy services, aims to explore regulatory opportunities for low carbon heat networks in England. The project, which involves stakeholders and an in-depth review of regulatory mechanisms both in the UK and internationally, was assigned through a selective procurement method using a call-off from a framework agreement. The tender period concluded on 9th January 2026, with the contract starting on 12th January 2026 and ending on 31st March 2026. The procurement is valued at £37,430 and encompasses delivery across the UK and internationally.

This tender offers substantial business growth opportunities for enterprises specialising in environmental consultancy, energy regulations, and geospatial AI technologies. Firms with expertise in regulatory mechanisms, especially those focusing on zoning and risk assessment in environmental contexts, would find this contract particularly suitable. Given the advanced nature of the project, larger firms or partnerships with international experience in managing complex environmental data and regulatory frameworks are well-positioned to compete and deliver impactful insights, aiding the Environment Agency in shaping a modern environmental permitting system.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

RPF-Heat Network Zone Project

Notice Description

This contract is being commissioned by the Environment Agency's Climate Change & Energy (Decarbonisation and Net Zero Team), part of the Environment & Business (E&B) Directorate. This project will contribute to a broader Regulator's Pioneer Fund 4th Round (RPF) project, led by the Environment Agency in collaboration with Local Authorities in the Advanced Zoning Programme. The RPF project will explore new regulatory opportunities for heat network zones in England, due to be designated from 2026, and development of a proof-of-concept geospatial AI platform to assess environmental risk at zonal scale. This commission is the first step in the project and will provide foundational information to inform the next stages of the RPF project. The EA is commissioning a regulatory review to undertake an in-depth, detailed review of the current environmental regulatory mechanisms in the UK and internationally, as well as current best practice, for the regulation of low carbon heat networks and assessment of environmental risk at scale. Specifically identifying where and how zonal-based regulation is used and how countries undertake environmental place-based risk assessments for permitting and consenting. It will involve expert stakeholder engagement and will recommend approaches that could be incorporated in England for Heat Network Zones. The project will present feasible options to inform a modern environmental permitting system that mitigates environmental risk for areas and facilitates the growth of low carbon heat technologies in Heat Network Zones.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6c356516-d58b-4f53-a606-05a1029b999d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1d2c51c4-c090-4b4b-906d-46f7827bf4ec
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£37,430 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£37,430 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Feb 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
12 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OVE ARUP & PARTNERS

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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