Planning

Utilities Management Service

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

18 Dec 2025 at 09:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Dec 2025 at 15:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a Utilities Management Service. This market engagement initiative aims to evaluate the capacity and capability of suppliers to deliver comprehensive utility management services, including bureau services for electricity, gas, and water, as well as a trading desk for flexible energy purchasing. The Council is seeking participation in a market engagement questionnaire by 12 January 2026. The contract, classified under energy and related services, covers the entire United Kingdom and will begin on 1 October 2026, concluding on 30 September 2028. The authority operates under public authority sub-central government classification and is located at County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, UKH36.

This tender presents significant opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in energy services and solutions. It is an ideal opportunity for businesses specialising in utilities management, energy procurement, and data analysis to engage with Essex County Council. Participants can offer value by providing innovative approaches and technological solutions to utility management challenges. Businesses capable of validating bill accuracy, managing supplier relationships, and offering strategic energy purchasing advice stand to benefit from this market engagement exercise. Successful engagement could position companies for future procurement opportunities with the council.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Utilities Management Service

Notice Description

Essex County Council (ECC) is conducting a market engagement exercise to assess the capability and capacity of suppliers to deliver a comprehensive Utilities Management (UM) service. ECC currently contract with Mitie to provide Bureau Services for electricity, gas and water, alongside a Trading Desk and Risk Management Service for the flexible purchasing of electricity and gas. Mitie also serves as ECC's Total Facilities Management (TFM) provider, a contract which is currently out for tender. The future Utilities Management service will need to work closely with the appointed TFM provider, who will be responsible for implementing any energy efficiency recommendations made by the UM provider. ECCs current approx annual consumption volume is: Electricity: 27,000 MwH Gas: 506,000 therms ECC have 43 HH meters (39 COP5 and 4 COP3) and circa 275 Non HH meters in the portfolio. The proposed scope includes the following services: Utilities Bureau Service - a comprehensive set of services that can enable ECC to effectively manage its utility accounts, costs and data; o Bill Validation o Detecting billing errors and ensuring accurate charges o Customer support o Tennant billing where applicable o Supplier management and query resolution o Budgeting and forecasting including assistance to client in creating accurate budgets and forecasts for upcoming utilities costs o Support to client in supplier procurement Utilities Trading Desk - managing the purchasing of electricity and gas on wholesale markets in accordance with an agreed risk management policy; o Market access and forward purchase recommendations o Risk Management and Hedging o Risk Analysis o Market intelligence and real-time market data o Regulatory compliance o Forecasting consumption Data Collection and Analysis - collection, processing and data management of consumption data including the use of analytical tools to provide insight into usage patterns, forecast future demand and identify areas for potential savings. Ability for client to access data online and track data in real-time; o Data collation and reporting o Benchmarking o Consumption tracking o Identifying inefficiencies and anomalies in usage o Recommendations to achieve efficiencies based on data o Real-time online access to usage and performance data Your feedback will help us: * Validate the feasibility of our requirements * Understand market capability and innovation * Identify potential opportunities and challenges The purpose of this questionnaire is to: * Confirm whether suppliers can deliver the required services * Gather information on delivery models, technology and innovation * Understand commercial approaches * Identify any gaps or recommendations for improvement It is important to note that this market engagement exercise is not a call for competition and as such you will to express your interest in any future tender opportunity once the tender notice is published on Find a Tender. It should also be noted that this exercise invites organisations to express an interest in this exercise only, and it is not a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is not part of any section process. The market engagement is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in any future tendering process nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who participate.

Planning Information

To participate in the market engagement questionnaire, please fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/e/KD0hYnUjQa

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f81f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084127-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71314000 - Energy and related services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
steve.bradley@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
Not specified
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

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. 

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