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DESNZ Heat Network Zoning Legal Services Contract

DESNZ

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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26 Aug 2026 at 16:33

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) procured specialist legal services for the development and implementation of the Heat Network Zoning Programme in England. The work covers two principal areas: legal support for heat network consents, including statutory powers, governance, regulatory requirements and compliance with primary and secondary legislation; and legal support for a national heat network connections framework, including connection and supply arrangements, procurement and commercial delivery models, and application of the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose is to facilitate heat network zoning and support the expansion of heat networks as part of the transition to low-carbon heating. This is a legal services requirement, delivered across the United Kingdom and internationally.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 11 August 2026 to Burges Salmon LLP. DESNZ used a selective procedure, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement. The tender submission deadline was 20 July 2026 at 3pm. The award value is £390,875. The contract runs from 24 August 2026 to 23 August 2028. The requirement was evaluated through the framework call-off process and covers services rather than goods or works. The awarded supplier is Burges Salmon LLP. The published procurement value range was £390,875 minimum and £586,312.50 maximum, while the award itself is recorded at £390,875. The opportunity was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This requirement shows DESNZ’s demand for specialist public-sector legal capability in heat network regulation, infrastructure delivery and energy transition programmes. Credible competitors would need experience advising on statutory consent regimes, public powers, governance structures, regulatory compliance and the interaction between primary and secondary legislation. They would also need to understand heat network connection and supply arrangements, procurement law, the Procurement Act 2023, framework design and commercial delivery models. The work suits firms able to combine public law, energy regulation, infrastructure procurement and commercial contracting expertise, while supporting a technically complex programme with national policy and implementation implications. DESNZ’s indication that the requirement is suitable for SMEs suggests that a focused specialist practice, consortium or suitably experienced niche provider could be well placed when comparable legal support is next considered.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DESNZ Heat Network Zoning Legal Services Contract

Notice Description

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has awarded a contract for the provision of specialist legal services to support the development and implementation of the Heat Network Zoning Programme in England. The contract will provide expert legal advice on the development and operation of heat network zones and associated procurement frameworks. The services comprise two principal workstreams: Heat Network Consents Legal Support - providing legal advice on the design, implementation and ongoing operation of heat network zoning consents, including statutory powers, governance arrangements, regulatory requirements, and compliance with primary and secondary legislation. National Heat Network Connections Framework Legal Support - providing legal support for the development of compliant approaches to heat network connection and supply arrangements within heat network zones, including advice on procurement and commercial delivery models and the application of the Procurement Act 2023. The contract will support DESNZ to facilitate the delivery of heat network zoning and the expansion of heat networks as a key component of the UK's transition to low-carbon heating.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b58cdd2f-b575-453e-961a-976eccf574cb
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£586,312 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£390,875 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
20 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
24 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2028 2-3 years
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
DESNZ
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
SW1A 2AW
Postcode Area
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

Burges Salmon LLP

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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