Award

Audit of the Data Communications Company (DCC)

OFGEM

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

28 May 2025 at 09:07

Tender

26 Nov 2024 at 16:29

Planning

03 Jun 2024 at 11:12

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Audit of the Data Communications Company (DCC)" was recently completed by the buyer, Ofgem, a body governed by public law operating in the UK. The title in the procurement stage was awarded to Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC) as of 15 May 2025. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically auditing services, and was conducted via an open procedure. The main location for the delivery of services is London, with a total contract value of £360,000. The tender process witnessed two bids, one being from an SME, with electronic bids permissible. The tender serves to audit the DCC's financial and operational activities, as observed annually by Ofgem, ensuring economic efficiency.

This tender presents excellent opportunities for auditing firms, especially those experienced in large-scale service provision and technology management, to expand their business clientele within the energy sector. The suitability factors and high technical standards specified cater to firms with a strong grounding in both commercial auditing and smart metering technology. Furthermore, the open procurement method and electronic submission process offer a broad and accessible platform for businesses looking to engage with public sector contracts. The annual and structured nature of the audit ensures recurring opportunities for growth and sustained engagement with Ofgem and associated industry stakeholders.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Audit of the Data Communications Company (DCC)

Notice Description

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the central communications body licensed to provide the communications, data transfer and management required to support smart metering. DCC was appointed by using an outsourced service model, to manage contracted smart metering service providers. As such, external costs compose the largest proportion of DCC's costs, and it is critical that these contracts are entered into, managed and closed out effectively and efficiently. Each year, the Authority scrutinises DCC's incurred and forecast costs through the annual Price Control process to determine whether these costs are economic and efficient. Alongside the cost assessment, DCC also faces financial incentives under the Operational Performance Regime (OPR)

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the central communications body licensed to provide the communications, data transfer and management required to support smart metering. DCC was appointed by using an outsourced service model, to manage contracted smart metering service providers. As such, external costs compose the largest proportion of DCC's costs, and it is critical that these contracts are entered into, managed and closed out effectively and efficiently. Each year, Ofgem scrutinises DCC's incurred and forecast costs through the annual Price Control process to determine whether these costs are economic and efficient. Alongside the cost assessment, DCC also faces financial incentives under the Operational Performance Regime (OPR)

Renewal: 1 year with the option to extend for up to 3 x 12-month periods

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-046cf7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027955-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79212000 - Auditing services

79212200 - Internal audit services

79418000 - Procurement consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Dec 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jul 2024Expired
Award Date
14 May 20259 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFGEM
Additional Buyers

SMART ENERGY CODE COMPANY (SECCO)

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement2@ofgem.gov.uk, secas@gemserv.com
Contact Phone
+44 2079017000

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Post Town
East 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
TLI London

Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Langbourn
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS LLP (PWC

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-046cf7-2025-05-28T10:07:25+01:00",
    "date": "2025-05-28T10:07:25+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-046cf7",
    "description": "(MT Ref:234615)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-046cf7",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Audit of the Data Communications Company (DCC)",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "79212000",
            "description": "Auditing services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the central communications body licensed to provide the communications, data transfer and management required to support smart metering. DCC was appointed by using an outsourced service model, to manage contracted smart metering service providers. As such, external costs compose the largest proportion of DCC's costs, and it is critical that these contracts are entered into, managed and closed out effectively and efficiently. Each year, the Authority scrutinises DCC's incurred and forecast costs through the annual Price Control process to determine whether these costs are economic and efficient. Alongside the cost assessment, DCC also faces financial incentives under the Operational Performance Regime (OPR)",
        "value": {
            "amount": 360000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Data Communications Company (DCC) is the central communications body licensed to provide the communications, data transfer and management required to support smart metering. DCC was appointed by using an outsourced service model, to manage contracted smart metering service providers. As such, external costs compose the largest proportion of DCC's costs, and it is critical that these contracts are entered into, managed and closed out effectively and efficiently. Each year, Ofgem scrutinises DCC's incurred and forecast costs through the annual Price Control process to determine whether these costs are economic and efficient. Alongside the cost assessment, DCC also faces financial incentives under the Operational Performance Regime (OPR)",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1440,
                    "startDate": "2025-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": false,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "1 year with the option to extend for up to 3 x 12-month periods"
                },
                "status": "cancelled",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "type": "cost",
                            "description": "30"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "value": {
                    "amount": 360000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212000",
                        "description": "Auditing services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79212200",
                        "description": "Internal audit services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79418000",
                        "description": "Procurement consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "London"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2024-07-31T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission",
            "written"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.mytenders.co.uk",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2024-12-20T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true,
            "performanceTerms": "Please refer to the 2024-082 ITT document for further information"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "Please refer to the 2024-082 ITT document for further information",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "For further information please see attached 2024-082 Audit of Data Communications Company ITT",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "Please see attached 2024-082 Audit of Data Communications Company ITT for further details.",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2024-12-20T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2025-04-21T23:59:59+01:00"
            }
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2024-12-20T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false,
        "crossBorderLaw": "Smart Energy Code Company (SECCo)"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-7406",
            "name": "Ofgem",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Ofgem"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UKI",
                "postalCode": "E14 4PU",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2079017000",
                "email": "procurement2@ofgem.gov.uk",
                "url": "http://www.mytenders.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.ofgem.gov.uk",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10021",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "id": "01",
                        "description": "General public services"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-103",
            "name": "Public Procurement Review Service",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Public Procurement Review Service"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Cabinet Office",
                "locality": "London",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 3450103503",
                "email": "publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-149455",
            "name": "Smart Energy Code Company (SECCo)",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Smart Energy Code Company (SECCo)"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UKI",
                "postalCode": "EC3V 0AS",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "secas@gemserv.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://smartenergycodecompany.co.uk/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-80233",
            "name": "Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC)",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC)"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Embankment Place",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "WC2N 6RH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-7406",
        "name": "Ofgem"
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "027955-2025-2024-082-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-80233",
                    "name": "Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC)"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "027955-2025-2024-082-1",
            "awardID": "027955-2025-2024-082-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 360000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-05-15T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 2
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 1
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 2
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 2
            }
        ]
    }
}