Planning

Heat Network Development in Oxford

OXFORD CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Apr 2026 at 14:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Oxford City Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process aimed at developing a heat network in Oxford. This project, titled "Heat Network Development in Oxford," falls under the category of services and involves electricity, heating, solar energy, and public utilities. Interested parties are invited to participate in a preliminary market engagement, with key input sought by 15th May 2026. The Council is exploring innovative ways to package and scope the procurement opportunity, with the expectation of scheduling a contract period between 1st November 2026 and 30th April 2028. Businesses can engage via the Council’s portal to obtain necessary documents and express interest. The future notice date for this tender is set for 24th June 2026.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for growth, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs specialising in district heating network development and low carbon energy solutions. It provides a chance for businesses to showcase their expertise and propose innovative approaches to commercialise and deliver sustainable energy solutions. Architectural, engineering, and construction firms focusing on public utilities will find this opportunity particularly relevant. The Council's commitment to engaging with market participants ensures a collaborative environment that fosters business development and allows organisations to contribute to the city's sustainability goals. Businesses involved in this sector are encouraged to take advantage of the preliminary engagement to inform the Council of their capabilities and insights into the proposed project delivery model.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Heat Network Development in Oxford

Notice Description

Oxford City Council and Partners are seeking an experienced district heating network developer to commercialise and develop a low carbon heat network, through an innovative contractual delivery model.

Planning Information

PME in this case is where the Council, at an early stage in the development of its proposals but prior to formulating any formal procurement opportunity, seeks input from the market as to what might be the most attractive way of packaging and scoping a future procurement opportunity. This exercise will provide an opportunity for the Council to obtain insight into how participants might approach the delivery of the services in question and the proposed commercial model. It also gives a useful early insight into the likely level of interest in a proposed project from that market. The Council has developed a questionnaire that they would like interested parties to complete. For any supplier interested, and wishing to receive the document set which includes 1. OCC Preliminary market engagement - Oxford HN - April 2026 (aka the questionnaire) 2. Oxford Heat Network Prospectus (reference document) 3. Development Agreement Schedules - Development Services and Mandatory Requirements (reference document) 4. ODHN Partnership Procurement Approach (reference document) Please express an interest on the portal and the documents will be sent to you. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/oxfordcc Should you not have access to the in-tend portal where this has been published please contact Procurement@oxford.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068be8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038163-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

65 - Public utilities

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

09300000 - Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy

65000000 - Public utilities

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Apr 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Jun 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 1-2 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
OXFORD 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
OXFORD
Postcode
OX1 1BX
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Local Authority
Oxford
Electoral Ward
Holywell
Westminster Constituency
Oxford West and Abingdon

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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