--- title: "Heat Network Regulations - Billing and metering supplier" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "CASTLES & COASTS HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED" published: "2026-07-15" --- # Heat Network Regulations - Billing and metering supplier Buyer: CASTLES & COASTS HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cc04.json) ## Summary The procurement process, currently in the planning stage, is spearheaded by Castles & Coasts Housing Association Limited, a sub-central government public authority based in Carlisle, United Kingdom. They are seeking a supplier for billing and metering services related to Heat Network Regulations. This opportunity is intended for services in the energy sector, specifically focusing on the installation and management of energy meters. Interested businesses must submit their Expression of Interest by 31st July 2026. The projected contract period is from 1st October 2026 to 1st October 2029, with potential renewals extending until 2031. This tender offers lucrative opportunities for businesses with expertise in energy systems, particularly those with experience in the supply and management of billing and metering services that comply with heat network regulations. Suppliers well-versed in the social housing sector, customer interactions, and regulatory frameworks will find this contract rewarding. It is particularly suitable for SMEs, and a framework agreement is anticipated, suggesting long-term partnership potential for the successful bidder. Overall, this opportunity presents a chance for businesses to grow by providing critical energy services aligned with evolving regulatory needs. ## Notice Castles and Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) Heat Network Regulations - Billing and metering supplier Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire Supplier Information Suppliers Name: Key Contact Name: Contact Number: Email address: CCHA would like to speak with suppliers who have the following attributes: * Experience of the supply of billing and metering services * Knowledge and expertise of heat network regulations * Understanding of the social housing sector and its legal, regulatory and financial landscape * Experience of customer/ resident interaction and services Please describe your experience in the above areas below (600 word limit) Pre-Market Engagement questions Purpose of PME We are currently looking at our options for the provision of services under the heat network regulations and are working to establish what services a metering and billing supplier can support us with and whether commercially this is the best option for CCHA. Accordingly, we have posed a range of questions that we would appreciate responses to, to enable us to move forward in this process. About our heat networks CCHA have 12 schemes with a Heat Network, containing in total 360 units. These are communal gas boilers providing heating and hot water to all flats within the scheme. Two of these schemes currently have heat meters installed within each independent unit, totalling 46 units. 1. The services we are primarily looking for from a metering and billing supplier to provide in relation to heat networks are also follows: a) The provision of heat network contracts to residents, which meet the requirements of the heat network regulations b) The provision of energy bills, which meet the requirements of the heat network regulations c) The creation and management of a vulnerable customers registration d) Management of heat network related complaints e) Provision of reporting information to use which would enable us to comply with regulatory reporting requirements f) Collection of energy payments from residents with the ability to transfer these payments to CCHA on an agreed frequency g) Debt collection service, incorporating specific provisions for vulnerable customers h) The management and maintenance of meters Can you confirm if these are services that you would intend to provide under a metering provider agreement? If not, please indicate which of the services listed you would not be able to provide. 2. We are also specifically interested in what support a supplier can offer to ensure meters are compliant and upgraded as necessary. Can you please indicate what services you offer in this area? 3. We currently procure our own energy supplier, can you indicate if this is something that you would be able to support with under a metering and billing agreement with CCHA, therefore moving to a service where you would procure the supply on our behalf? 4. In addition to the above, do you offer any additional services relating to heat networks that you we may wish to consider? If so, please provide information about these services so we can consider if these should also be included in a specification. 5. We also have a number of properties that are unmetered, in line with heat network regulations, what services could you offer for unmetered properties? 6. We are keen to understand what the typical contract length would be for the provision of heat network related services. Can you please indicate what the length of the contract terms you offer are? Please indicate if there are clear differences in commerciality or contract terms if the duration of term differs. 7. We are interested in understanding the commercial benefits of outsourcing some of the heat networks activities, to help us understand if this is a viable option for CCHA can you please provide an indication of pricing, or how pricing for these services would be calculated? 8. We anticipate that there would be a need for ongoing communication and collaborative working between CCHA and a prospective supplier (for instance the receipt of data from a supplier to ensure we can meet regulatory reporting requirements), can you indicate how you would ensure an effective and well managed relationship? 9. We would like a metering provider to also support in the performance monitoring and efficiency reporting of our schemes. Could you advise how you would propose this could be actioned to ensure we are able to react to any situations in a timely manner. 10. As heat network regulations evolve, how will you ensure that the services you provide continue to be compliant, efficient and scalable? 11. We anticipate at a later point our currently unmetered schemes may need to have meters installed. Is the installation activity something you could support, if so how would you ensure this is a smooth process for us and our residents? ### Planning Information Bidders who are interested in the opportunity above could you kindly send an Expression of Interest with your answers to the questions asked to Procurement@castlesandcoasts.co.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066807-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 4 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 1 Oct 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £179,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CASTLES & COASTS HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED | | Locality | CARLISLE | | Post town | Carlisle | | Postcode | CA3 8TT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria | | ITL 3 | TLD13 Cumberland | | Local authority | Cumberland | | Electoral ward | Castle | | Westminster constituency | Carlisle | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 45 - Construction work - 65 - Public utilities ### Codes - 38551000 - Energy meters - 45232140 - District-heating mains construction work - 45232141 - Heating works - 65400000 - Other sources of energy supplies and distribution - 65500000 - Meter reading service ## Release History - 15 Jul 2026 at 13:11 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066807-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066807-2026 15th July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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