--- title: "Heat Network Metering and Billing - Soft Market Testing" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL" published: "2023-08-26" --- # Heat Network Metering and Billing - Soft Market Testing Buyer: BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6.json) ## Summary The Birmingham City Council is conducting a procurement process titled "Heat Network Metering and Billing - Soft Market Testing" in the Meters industry category. The process is currently at the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for 8th September 2023. The Council is seeking a new heat network metering and billing solution across its portfolio, including metering and billing services for around 1500 properties. Interested parties can participate in the soft market testing by completing a questionnaire and attending an interview during w/c 18th or 25th September 2023. This tender offers opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs, that can provide reliable and accurate heat network metering solutions. Companies offering metering and billing services, resident engagement, repair and maintenance services, and account management are well-suited to compete. Interested businesses must register via the Council's In-tend e-tendering portal and submit completed questionnaires by 8th September 2023 to be considered for participation in the soft market testing phase. ## Notice Birmingham City Council is looking to source a new heat network metering and billing solution and a metering and billing agent across its heat network portfolio of 31 sites and circa 1500 properties. The new heat network metering solution includes the following equipment: * Heat Meter * Payment Meter * In Home Display * Pre-payment Valve The new heat network metering solution must be: * Transferable i.e. be able to be operated by different and multiple metering and billing agents to manage risk and provide value for money * Operate initially in Pay-As-You Go (PAYG) mode but have flexible functionality to operate in credit mode. * Reliable (meter read percentage of 95%), accurate (to all metering directives and regulations) and have a 10-year warranty period (kit and installation). The scope of works of this contract will be as follows: 1. Install and commission the new heat network metering solution, including full project management and resident engagement/communication. 2. Ongoing metering and billing service to customers 3. Account management to the Council 4. Repair and maintain the heat network metering solution; in line with warranty periods and the Council's Repair Response Times The Council is carrying out soft market testing in preparation for the procurement of its heat network metering and billing solution and service provider. This process will enable the Council to further understand the current market for this service area in more detail and collate valuable feedback for consideration and possible inclusion into the formal contract and tender process. The soft market testing process will consist of 2 phases: 1. Phase 1: A detailed questionnaire for interested parties to complete. We would encourage participants to respond as openly and honestly as possible as all responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. 2. Phase 2: An informal 45-minute interview to discuss your individual responses in more detail. This interview will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams during w/c 18th or 25th September 2023. If you are interested in participating in this soft market testing, please register online via the Council's In-tend e-tendering portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc Registration and access to the In-tend electronic tendering tool is free. Interested parties must download a market testing questionnaire from the e-portal and submit completed questionnaires by 5pm on 8th September 2023. Report any problems in accessing or using the In-tend e-portal via email at cps@birmingham.gov.uk This market consultation exercise and the phases outlined above do not form part of any potential or subsequent procurement process and should not be treated as a formal call for competition. The intention of this market consultation is purely to assess and consider responses to this questionnaire in order to assist the council in developing the most viable and efficient future delivery service for this area. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6856d76b-ba14-4b38-9d5c-2c5cec4242ef | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 26 Aug 2023 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 8 Sep 2023 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 7WB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Newtown | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 45 - Construction work - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 38550000 - Meters - 45232141 - Heating works - 50411300 - Repair and maintenance services of electricity meters ## Release History - 26 Aug 2023 at 22:21 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6856d76b-ba14-4b38-9d5c-2c5cec4242ef ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6856d76b-ba14-4b38-9d5c-2c5cec4242ef 26th August 2023 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - http://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5ced8241-1323-4484-9ae6-ed383cb259b6.json.