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PS26239 - RAF015/2627 - Plug-in batteries safety study

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

05 Oct 2026 at 16:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

05 Oct 2026 at 16:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

11 Sep 2026 at 17:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

21 Aug 2026 at 11:11

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 Aug 2026 at 13:02

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

17 Aug 2026 at 10:31

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is procuring a research and development study into the safety of plug-in batteries for UK homes. Phase 1 will assess whether batteries with AC mains output of up to 800 W can be deployed safely, with acceptable electrical and fire risks, and inform potential changes to technical standards. The supplier will develop a test protocol with relevant stakeholders and test selected installation configurations. These may include standalone batteries, batteries connected to plug-in solar, and multiple batteries connected in series or parallel. Testing is intended to focus on the battery products and their interface with plug-in solar, rather than the wider domestic setting. The work is for the UK; the buyer is supported in the procurement by UK Shared Business Services.

The buyer invited bids through an open procedure. The bid submission deadline was 21 October 2026 at 11:00, and the deadline for questions was 13 October 2026 at 11:00. The planned contract period runs from 25 November 2026 to 31 March 2028. The published estimated value is £300,000 excluding VAT (£360,000 including VAT); earlier engagement material also described a possible £50,000 increase, subject to budget and the authority’s discretion. There is one lot. The evaluation is entirely quality-based: understanding the requirement, technical approach and methodology, delivery facilities and flexibility, skills, project management, timescales, risk management and quality assurance, plus social value relating to economic inequality and climate change/net zero. The procurement reached tender stage, following an earlier planned procurement notice.

This requirement is suited to research, testing and technical consultancy organisations with expertise in electrical and fire safety, battery systems and domestic energy technology. Strong bids will need a credible methodology for assessing risks across relevant battery and plug-in solar configurations, and the ability to design and carry out appropriate product-focused tests. Suppliers should be able to work with stakeholders to finalise a test protocol and produce findings that can inform technical standards and the feasibility of safe domestic use. The evaluation gives substantial weight to technical approach, understanding, facilities and flexibility, so bidders will need suitable test capability and a team with relevant skills. A convincing delivery plan should address project management, schedule, risk and quality assurance, alongside contributions to economic inequality and climate goals. The opportunity is identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PS26239 - RAF015/2627 - Plug-in batteries safety study

Notice Description

The final date and time for the submission of bids is Wednesday 21st October 2026 at 11:00 DO NOT apply directly to the buyer. All tender information MUST be submitted through the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. Brief Description of Requirement Phase 1 The objective of phase 1 is to assess the safety and risk considerations for deployment of up to 800 W AC mains output plug-in batteries in the UK context with acceptable electrical and fire safety risk. The study will inform technical standards adaptations and assess the feasibility of safe, plug-in batteries for UK domestic use. A relevant set of installation configurations will need to be considered in scope of the fire and electrical safety tests and will be finalised as part of the test protocol development for the study, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. These installation configurations may include individual plug-in batteries, plug-in battery DC-coupled to plug-in solar with a single hybrid inverter, multiple plug-in batteries DC-coupled in series, and multiple plug-in batteries DC-coupled in parallel. An illustrative set of installation configurations that might be expected to be considered by the supplier when developing the test protocol are provided below, noting that the tests should focus on the standalone plug-in battery products and/or the plug-in battery to plug-in solar interface rather than the wider domestic environment in which they are located. Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Supplier Attachments tab within the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. This contract will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria as set out in the RFP document. How to Apply UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) will be using the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal for this procurement. To register on the Jaggaer eSourcing portal please use the link https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ and follow the instructions to register as a supplier. If you are already registered on the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/. Once you are logged into the system you will be able to locate the Procurement you wish to leave a bid on by clicking the ITTs Open to All Suppliers and searching for the reference number itt_2830

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e54c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093969-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
21 Oct 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
25 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
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 2HP
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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