Planning

Framework for the Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland

SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Mar 2026 at 11:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sunderland City Council is initiating a procurement process to establish a framework for the design, supply, and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in operational commercial properties located in Sunderland. This project is structured into two lots based on the capacity of solar PV installations: up to 50Kwp and greater than 50Kwp. The market engagement process is essential for suppliers interested in participating, with the deadline for the engagement phase scheduled for 7th April 2026. The procurement is in the planning stage, and the framework agreement is set to commence on 1st June 2026, ending on 31st May 2030. This procurement falls under the works category in the renewable energy sector, with a total estimated contract value of £2.5 million (gross £3 million). The process will follow Sunderland City Council’s eTender system, highlighting a commitment to sustainability in the region.

This tender presents significant opportunities for suppliers specialising in renewable energy solutions, specifically solar panel installations. Enterprises capable of designing, installing, and commissioning solar PV systems, potentially including battery storage, stand to benefit from engaging in this project. The framework's scope includes not only commercial properties but occasionally domestic settings, providing a broad spectrum of potential contracts. With a focus on sustainability and clean energy, businesses with innovative approaches to solar technology and those compliant with health and safety standards, particularly SMEs, will find this procurement opportunity appealing. The procurement method encourages a competitive environment, ideal for companies looking to expand their operations into sub-central government contracts within the United Kingdom.

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

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for the Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland

Notice Description

Sunderland City Council are seeking to engage with Suppliers in relation to their intent to procure a framework for the Design (where required), Supply, Installation and Commissioning of solar PV installations in commercial operational sites in Sunderland. The Framework will be structured into 2 lots as follows. * Lot 1 - The Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV up to 50Kwp in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland. * Lot 2 - The Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV Greater than 50Kwp in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland. OTHER INFORMATION Whilst the scope of the framework is structured predominantly for installations in operational commercial properties, the Council may from time to time require an installation in a domestic property. In such instances the call off will be clearly identified as a domestic property installation and will be issued through the relevant framework lot. There may be instances where some schemes called off under the framework may require the addition of battery storage to complement the Solar PV installation. It is envisaged that the form of contract will be JCT Minor Works, and in some cases, there will be a requirement for the Supplier to take design responsibility of an element of design using a Contractors Design Portion (CDP) in the JCT form of contract. In some smaller schemes where a JCT form of contract is not suitable the Council will issue bespoke terms and Conditions for the scheme with the contract documents.

Planning Information

• The Market Engagement process and the subsequent procurement process will be published on Sunderland City Councils E Tender system Open and access to the engagement is via the web address https://open-uk.org/projects/overview/8d9dbdea-1661-4a0a-9b08-5f952d06259d The Open e tender system project reference number is OPEN2026498. • Suppliers must be registered on the Open e tender portal to participate in the procurement process. • You can register your Organisation on the Open e Tender Portal via the web address https://open-uk.org/ The engagement process consists of 1) An overview of the project. 2) Overview of the fundamental mandatory requirements of participation such as Health and Safety CDM roles. 3) A selection of basic questions to collect information on the Suppliers intent with regards participation in the tender. NOTE • This Market Engagement is not a formal Expression of interest for any subsequent tender process. • Suppliers that do not respond to this Market Engagement, or who respond indicating they do not intend participating in an advertised tender opportunity are not precluded from participation in the advertised tender should their preferences change. • Any information provided in response to this Market Engagement will be used entirely for the purposes as set out in the Market Engagement. • Suppliers are not bound by any information provided in this Market Engagement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066eb0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025084-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Works
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

09331000 - Solar panels

09332000 - Solar installation

45261215 - Solar panel roof-covering work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
22 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2030 4-5 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
SUNDERLAND CITY 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
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR1 3AA
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC23 Sunderland
Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Millfield
Westminster Constituency
Sunderland Central

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-066eb0-2026-03-19T11:34:57Z",
    "date": "2026-03-19T11:34:57Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066eb0",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLVZ-4154-GGRZ",
            "name": "Sunderland City Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLVZ-4154-GGRZ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "City Hall, Plater Way,",
                "locality": "Sunderland",
                "postalCode": "SR1 3AA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKC23"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "corporate.procurement@sunderland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PLVZ-4154-GGRZ",
        "name": "Sunderland City Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "* The Market Engagement process and the subsequent procurement process will be published on Sunderland City Councils E Tender system Open and access to the engagement is via the web address https://open-uk.org/projects/overview/8d9dbdea-1661-4a0a-9b08-5f952d06259d The Open e tender system project reference number is OPEN2026498. * Suppliers must be registered on the Open e tender portal to participate in the procurement process. * You can register your Organisation on the Open e Tender Portal via the web address https://open-uk.org/ The engagement process consists of 1) An overview of the project. 2) Overview of the fundamental mandatory requirements of participation such as Health and Safety CDM roles. 3) A selection of basic questions to collect information on the Suppliers intent with regards participation in the tender. NOTE * This Market Engagement is not a formal Expression of interest for any subsequent tender process. * Suppliers that do not respond to this Market Engagement, or who respond indicating they do not intend participating in an advertised tender opportunity are not precluded from participation in the advertised tender should their preferences change. * Any information provided in response to this Market Engagement will be used entirely for the purposes as set out in the Market Engagement. * Suppliers are not bound by any information provided in this Market Engagement.",
                "dueDate": "2026-04-07T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "025084-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025084-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-19T11:34:57Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "OPEN2026498",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Framework for the Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland",
        "description": "Sunderland City Council are seeking to engage with Suppliers in relation to their intent to procure a framework for the Design (where required), Supply, Installation and Commissioning of solar PV installations in commercial operational sites in Sunderland. The Framework will be structured into 2 lots as follows. * Lot 1 - The Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV up to 50Kwp in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland. * Lot 2 - The Design, Supply, and Installation of Solar PV Greater than 50Kwp in Operational Commercial Properties in Sunderland. OTHER INFORMATION Whilst the scope of the framework is structured predominantly for installations in operational commercial properties, the Council may from time to time require an installation in a domestic property. In such instances the call off will be clearly identified as a domestic property installation and will be issued through the relevant framework lot. There may be instances where some schemes called off under the framework may require the addition of battery storage to complement the Solar PV installation. It is envisaged that the form of contract will be JCT Minor Works, and in some cases, there will be a requirement for the Supplier to take design responsibility of an element of design using a Contractors Design Portion (CDP) in the JCT form of contract. In some smaller schemes where a JCT form of contract is not suitable the Council will issue bespoke terms and Conditions for the scheme with the contract documents.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "09331000",
                        "description": "Solar panels"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "09332000",
                        "description": "Solar installation"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45261215",
                        "description": "Solar panel roof-covering work"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKC23",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 3000000,
            "amount": 2500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "works",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-05-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-22T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}