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The Scottish Government has launched a market engagement exercise ahead of a planned re-letting of its public sector heat decarbonisation framework, with a potential value of £50m.
A request for information (RFI) issued on 22 April 2025 invites responses from contractors and suppliers able to deliver non-domestic energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation services across Scotland.
The framework, formerly known as the Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework Agreement, will be rebranded as Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Framework. It will focus on public sector retrofit projects valued over £1m and will not replace the existing sub-£1m framework.
The Scottish Government intends the framework to cover a wide scope of energy retrofit works, including upgrades to building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems such as heating and ventilation, lighting and water, as well as on-site renewables and potential district heating connections.
Suppliers will be required to deliver design-and-build contracts offering guaranteed energy savings and decarbonisation outcomes. The framework is expected to last three years with an optional one-year extension. It will be accessible to all public sector organisations in Scotland, including central government, health boards, local authorities, universities and further education colleges.
The new framework will operate on an unranked, single-lot basis with call-offs managed through mini-competitions. The Scottish Government also intends for suppliers to have the capacity to deliver services across all regions, including rural areas, the Highlands and Islands.
This market engagement is not part of a formal tender process. The government has indicated it may issue a second RFI later this year as it continues to develop the framework strategy.
Interested parties must submit their responses by 2pm on 7 May 2025. The official contract notice is expected to be published on 30 November 2025.
Source: Public Contracts Scotland
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Ben Vogel