Void Property Energy Services Management

Description

The services required under a future procurement procedure would involve the provision of gas and electricity to the Council on a short term basis following the departure of a tenant from the Council’s housing stock, allowing any repairs to take place in preparation for new tenants. Once new tenants move into the property, it will also provide them with a gas/electricity entry supplier. The services required under a future procurement procedure would involve the provision of gas and electricity to the Council on a short term basis following the departure of a tenant from the Council’s housing stock, allowing any repairs to take place in preparation for new tenants. Once new tenants move into the property, it will also provide them with a gas/electricity entry supplier. To enable the Council to plan and prepare for a future procurement exercise to award a contract for the Void Property Energy Services Management requirement, the Council would like to invite interested parties to complete and return the attached Market Engagement Questionnaire as instructed within. The main objectives of this PIN and future contract opportunity are to: Provide a comprehensive low to no cost void energy management service to the Council, to ensure there is no uninterrupted supply of gas or electricity during void tenancy periods; Arrange the switching of suppliers, clearing legacy debt and deal with metering issues such as tampered / damaged or missing meters and prepayment device management; Enable the service to be available to the Council’s mainstream housing and temporary accommodation; Minimise the cost to the Council and provide best value to its tenants, in order to alleviate fuel poverty fears; enable energy supply is to be based on best available fixed rate tariff for a minimum time period during the void period, with the new tenant having the option to change tariff on taking over the tenancy; explore the potential of a zero fee standing charge; provide data on the volume of properties being switched, with consumption usage and rates; explore if VUS operated by licensed gas / electric / heat supplier i.e. not an intermediary; discover what tariff options and ranges are available i.e. standard electric, gas, dual fuel and E7 / E10 / Comfort Plus / Total Heat Total Control (Preferable but noted that these are restricted to certain suppliers); ensure direct lines of communication for operational staff and streamline switching process; enable provision of an online platform for void management service and provide training to appropriate staff; learn more about energy supplier switching timescales in line with industry i.e. 17 days gas and 7 day electric etc.; identify meters (dry etc.) to be replaced where possible with smart meters, to avoid causing any delay in the Councils void repairs process (preferably SMETS2); enable regular billing for consumption – preferably grouped account with individual sub accounts; provide 4 pay points for the Service to utilise; assist and further develop this proposed management scheme. The Council requires to engage with existing providers within the current market who would be interested in providing this management service. Feedback received via the questionnaire may be used in the planning and conduct of the procurement procedure, provided that it does not have the effect of distorting competition and does not result in an infringement of the principles of non-discrimination and transparency. Note that feedback provided via the questionnaires will be formally recorded and relevant anonymised content will be shared to ensure compliance with the Principles of Procurement. Completed questionnaires should be returned to kevin.milliken@renfrewshire.gov.uk by 12 noon, Wednesday 20th September 2023.