Public sector gas services tenders are opportunities for suppliers, including Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to win contracted work.

What are gas services tenders?

Public sector gas services tenders are opportunities for suppliers, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to win contracted work. Types of gas services works commonly contracted for include:

Central heating and hot water systems
Warm air heating systems
Gas appliance servicing and repairs

When gas services contracts are put to tender, suppliers produce bids which are evaluated on the basis of being the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The winning bid (the MEAT) is the bid that is the best value for money (although this does not necessarily mean that it is the cheapest). One way in which suppliers can add value to their bids is by considering the social value of their service delivery.

Top tip: Measure your social value using calculators such as Loop and The National TOMS to find ways to add social value to your bids.

Gas services tenders are typically divided into two areas: domestic and non-domestic services. Both areas have different legislative requirements, so it is important to make sure that your service is fully compliant before starting the tendering process. This will prevent you from wasting time, and resources and missing out on opportunities that more closely align with your service offering.

Whilst the specific requirements for gas services will depend on the type of service you will provide, tender opportunities will list these in the specification. This is a document that outlines the scope of the gas service available on the contract and anything that the buyer specifically requests from suppliers.

Where can I find gas services tenders?

All gas services tenders for public sector contracts are listed on the UK Government’s Find a Tender and Contracts Finder webpages and compiled on Tender Pipeline. Providing you with access to millions of tenders at the touch of a button, Tender Pipeline cuts out the middleman and allows you to browse all gas services opportunities in real-time. Find the gas services opportunities most relevant to you using the quick filter feature or sign up to receive immediate email alerts when these opportunities are posted.

Whereas public gas services tenders are funded by the taxpayer and so subject to strict procurement processes, private tenders are exactly that, private. Bought and supplied by private businesses, these opportunities are harder to find as buying organisations can choose to only invite certain suppliers to apply for their contracts. This means that the supply pool is small, if existent at all. Private organisations can also choose to directly purchase services from suppliers without advertising the opportunity at all. This means that if you aren’t in the right group, you are missing out. What’s more, private tenders often massively disadvantage SMEs due to them having less brand awareness.

Avoid being left out and click on the link to sample the gas services tenders currently live on Tender Pipeline.

What are gas services frameworks?

Rather than bidding for a direct award where there is only one successful supplier (or as otherwise specified), frameworks are a list of suppliers from whom the public buyer can choose to award contracts to. They can choose to either directly award a framework supplier, or they can choose to put the opportunity out to tender between the framework suppliers.

As such, when you are bidding for a framework, you are not bidding for a contract award, but rather for a place on their successful suppliers list. Framework award doesn’t necessarily guarantee you contracts, but it certainly does narrow down the pool of competing suppliers for any opportunities that come up during the framework lifetime.

Another key point is that frameworks are fantastic for business exposure. The kinds of buyers who will have access to this list of suppliers are buyers who are looking to procure cleaning services. Think of it as a concentrated pool of gas services buyers and suppliers.

Framework award follows the same winning criteria as the tendering process, being the MEAT. Frameworks are trusted providers of suppliers to big-name, big-spending buyers. The suppliers that they list to their buyers are the best solutions at the best price. Remember, this does not necessarily mean that they are the cheapest, but that they can most closely provide the kinds of services required that meet the needs of/anticipate how to improve the buyer’s requirements for the most justifiable price.

Frameworks award placements to several suppliers at a time, rather than directly awarding just one. This means that bidding for framework placement gives you greater odds of visibility verses traditional procurement methods.

For more information on frameworks, check out our handy framework blogs.

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Where can I find gas services frameworks?

There are several gas services frameworks, each varying in size and scope. Below are 3 of our recommended frameworks for gas services SMEs to consider joining.

Note: Some framework opportunities mention ‘lots’. This is where the opportunity is split into parts, each varying in requirements, for example covering geographic areas or differing in scope. Each lot will award a specified number of suppliers, but this may differ between different lots within the same opportunity.

Framework	Scope
Procure Plus	Demonstrating the types of frameworks listed, Gas Servicing and Repair framework is a 4-year opportunity that began on 08/06/2020, this framework covers: Servicing and repairing domestic and commercial heating appliances 3* comprehensive service and maintenance provision for gas fired central heating installations and miscellaneous gas appliances Split into 8 geographic lots split between 2-10 suppliers per lot, this framework provides contract opportunities for: The North The North West Cumbria North Wales Yorkshire and Humberside East Midlands West Midlands UK-wide
LHC	Divided into two workstreams, this framework offers: Monitoring and review of gas, heating, hot water, legionella control and domestic fire alarms compliance duties Completing or reviewing risk assessments and certificates Specialists consultants to ensure you are correctly managing your duties Specialists responsive repair companies who can perform the day-to-day function to protect and serve your tenants Gas compliance by companies proven to offer 100% LGSR and services to the heating appliance. All heat sources – gas, oil, solid fuel, renewable systems and the connected systems Replacement installation programmes The two workstreams are: Workstream 1 – Consultants, Third Party Gas & Electrical Auditors Specialist domestic mechanical and electrical consultants for this framework, to provide advice and certainty that projects are delivered compliantly, in accordance with best practice and offer value for money. Services include: Tender support by aiding in the preparation of a tender, technical evaluation and product specification advice Gap analysis of the gas and electrical policy (review control measures) Training - gas and electrical awareness seminars (tailored for director, staff and tenants) Monitoring and routine inspection of contractors and your electrical systems Workstream 2 Heating Services & Repairs Complete management of your heating systems regardless of fuel type or location: Landlords gas safety record Void check & commission Planned and responsive heating repairs Gas awareness training Help desk (call centre) Replacement gas, oil or renewable heating systems The specification linked here is a brilliant example of the kinds of specifications you can expect to view during the tendering process. This example also provides good indications of the kinds of accreditations and qualifications that may be expected from suppliers for certain service provision.
EEM	The Heating and Hot Water Systems framework is a 4-year opportunity that next end in August 2025 covering the following lots: Lot 1- Domestic heating systems- servicing, maintenance, repairs and installation Basic and comprehensive servicing, maintenance, and repair of domestic heating systems Servicing, maintenance, and repair of domestic boilers Attendance to break downs and emergency repairs Back-up to in-house Gas Team for domestic gas repairs and servicing Installation of boilers and heating systems, alterations and full and partial upgrades as required to a range of fuel systems Gas safety inspections and landlord’s certification Any additional elements of work associated with the above listed or relevant to Lot 1 Lot 2- Commercial heating systems- servicing, maintenance, repairs and installation Basic and comprehensive servicing, maintenance, and repair of to commercial heating systems Servicing, maintenance, and repair of commercial boilers Attendance to break downs and emergency repairs Installation of boilers and heating systems, alterations and full and partial upgrades including plant and boiler houses as required, commercial systems will allow for a range of fuel systems Gas safety inspections and landlord’s certification Any additional elements of work associated with the above listed or relevant to Lot 2 Lot 3- Renewable heating systems- servicing, maintenance, repairs and installation Servicing, maintenance, repair and installation of renewable heating systems including air source and ground source systems, solar pv and thermal systems, combined heat and power generating boilers, biomass and wood burning systems Attendance to break downs and emergency repairs Heating systems designs, alterations, and full and partial upgrades Renewable heating system inspections and safety certificates Any additional elements of work associated with the above listed or relevant to Lot 3 All lots provides UK-wide coverage and specific opportunities for the Midlands.

Why should I bid for gas services contracts?

Offering additional payment protection through highly regulated public procurement procedures, winning public sector contracts can afford your SME guaranteed income for the duration of the contract. This is a more secure guarantee than private sector contracts, where there is the constant possibility of the buyer’s company dissolving/breaking contract terms resulting in an unexpected loss of income and work.

Payment assurance is further protected for public contracts as buyers are bound to the Prompt Payment Policy. This ensures that suppliers pay at least 90% of invoices to SMES within 5 days, and 100% within 30 days.

Furthermore, typically running for between 3-5 years, public gas services contracts are a reliable source of income without the hassle of having to constantly be on the lookout for your next work opportunity.

Are gas services right for my SME?

A top tip for companies looking to bid for gas services contracts is to make sure that your services and qualifications meet the requirements of the specification. We know how exciting it can be to find the perfect opportunity, or how eager you may be to start winning public sector contracts. But, it’s important to remember that a considered and targeted approach will always score more highly than repurposed and generic response.

Tender suitability will always vary between opportunities, but as a general rule of thumb, and to prevent wasting precious company time first consider whether your current service offerings align with the specified requirements. This may include evaluating your service offering, whether the length of the contract/framework aligns with your business plan, and whether you have the capacity to fulfil contract requirements.

Bid writing top tips for gas services tenders

Writing winning gas services bids since 2009, below are our tip tips to put you on the path to bid writing success.

Consider how your service will affect end users: Where your domestic gas service will require you to work with residents, you will find it a common requirement for suppliers to provide a 24/7/365 response and customer helpdesk.
Resident liaison: Leading on from the first point, maximise the quality of your service and end user satisfaction by providing contract-specific customer service training to employees and Engineers during mobilisation. This could include how Engineers are trained to interact with residents on domestic jobs, for example by avoiding over-familiarity. This could also include how you will meet the needs of residents by communicating in the required languages/formats including large print and braille.

How Thornton & Lowe can help you win gas services contracts

Make your gas services tenders pay with the help of Thornton & Lowe. We know that our clients have what it takes to win, and we champion the SMEs that make it happen. With a success rate of 75% and 90% client retention, get in touch and let us be the voice that wins you gas services contracts today.