--- title: "DESNZ Heat Network Zoning Legal Services Contract" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DESNZ" published: "2026-08-26" --- # DESNZ Heat Network Zoning Legal Services Contract Buyer: DESNZ Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d.json) ## Summary The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) procured specialist legal services for the development and implementation of the Heat Network Zoning Programme in England. The work covers two principal areas: legal support for heat network consents, including statutory powers, governance, regulatory requirements and compliance with primary and secondary legislation; and legal support for a national heat network connections framework, including connection and supply arrangements, procurement and commercial delivery models, and application of the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose is to facilitate heat network zoning and support the expansion of heat networks as part of the transition to low-carbon heating. This is a legal services requirement, delivered across the United Kingdom and internationally. The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 11 August 2026 to Burges Salmon LLP. DESNZ used a selective procedure, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement. The tender submission deadline was 20 July 2026 at 3pm. The award value is £390,875. The contract runs from 24 August 2026 to 23 August 2028. The requirement was evaluated through the framework call-off process and covers services rather than goods or works. The awarded supplier is Burges Salmon LLP. The published procurement value range was £390,875 minimum and £586,312.50 maximum, while the award itself is recorded at £390,875. The opportunity was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. This requirement shows DESNZ’s demand for specialist public-sector legal capability in heat network regulation, infrastructure delivery and energy transition programmes. Credible competitors would need experience advising on statutory consent regimes, public powers, governance structures, regulatory compliance and the interaction between primary and secondary legislation. They would also need to understand heat network connection and supply arrangements, procurement law, the Procurement Act 2023, framework design and commercial delivery models. The work suits firms able to combine public law, energy regulation, infrastructure procurement and commercial contracting expertise, while supporting a technically complex programme with national policy and implementation implications. DESNZ’s indication that the requirement is suitable for SMEs suggests that a focused specialist practice, consortium or suitably experienced niche provider could be well placed when comparable legal support is next considered. ## Notice The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has awarded a contract for the provision of specialist legal services to support the development and implementation of the Heat Network Zoning Programme in England. The contract will provide expert legal advice on the development and operation of heat network zones and associated procurement frameworks. The services comprise two principal workstreams: Heat Network Consents Legal Support - providing legal advice on the design, implementation and ongoing operation of heat network zoning consents, including statutory powers, governance arrangements, regulatory requirements, and compliance with primary and secondary legislation. National Heat Network Connections Framework Legal Support - providing legal support for the development of compliant approaches to heat network connection and supply arrangements within heat network zones, including advice on procurement and commercial delivery models and the application of the Procurement Act 2023. The contract will support DESNZ to facilitate the delivery of heat network zoning and the expansion of heat networks as a key component of the UK's transition to low-carbon heating. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b58cdd2f-b575-453e-961a-976eccf574cb | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 26 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | 20 Jul 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 11 Aug 2026 | | Contract period | 24 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £586,312 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £390,875 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DESNZ | | Locality | LONDON | | Postcode area | South West London | | Postcode | SW1A 2AW | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | Burges Salmon LLP | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79100000 - Legal services ## Release History - 26 Aug 2026 at 16:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b58cdd2f-b575-453e-961a-976eccf574cb ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b58cdd2f-b575-453e-961a-976eccf574cb 26th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder ## 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-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-aefb24ca-9964-4a5b-9dde-49d34ae5035d.json.