The Government Commercial Agency is developing a new £800 million National Framework for Heat Network Connection & Supply, creating potential opportunities for businesses involved in district heating, energy infrastructure and heat supply services.
Known as RM6422, the proposed framework will help public sector organisations connect buildings to existing heat networks and establish ongoing heat supply arrangements. It will also support the government's approach to heat network zoning, which aims to increase the use of shared heating infrastructure.
Suppliers have an early opportunity to learn more about the procurement through a market engagement event taking place on 9 November 2026 at 11:30am. The formal tender is currently expected in January 2027.
National Heat Network Framework RM6422: key details
The Government Commercial Agency is establishing RM6422 as an open framework for heat network connections and ongoing supply contracts. Its purpose is to provide public sector buildings with access to existing heat networks, supporting the development and use of district heating infrastructure.
The main procurement details are:
- Contracting authority: Government Commercial Agency
- Framework reference: RM6422
- Estimated value: £800 million excluding VAT (£1 billion including VAT)
- Proposed framework period: 30 June 2027 to 30 June 2035
- Framework type: Open framework
- Main procurement category: Services
- Current stage: Preliminary market engagement
- Market engagement event: 9 November 2026 at 11:30am
- Engagement deadline: 30 December 2026
- Estimated tender publication: 25 January 2027
The framework's proposed eight-year duration reflects the longer-term nature of heat infrastructure and supply arrangements. The official RM6422 preliminary market engagement notice provides further information about the procurement and the November event.
What will the framework cover?
RM6422 is being developed to support two closely connected requirements: linking public sector buildings to existing heat networks and providing ongoing heat supply. These activities form part of a wider shift towards shared heating systems, particularly in areas where district heating can support the decarbonisation of buildings.
Connecting public sector buildings to heat networks
Heat networks distribute heat from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of pipes. Rather than relying entirely on individual heating systems, connected buildings receive heat through shared infrastructure. Public sector buildings can include offices, hospitals, universities, schools and other facilities with substantial or consistent heating requirements.
RM6422 is intended to provide a procurement arrangement through which public sector organisations can develop connections to existing networks. Depending on the eventual framework requirements, connection projects may involve technical planning, infrastructure interfaces and coordination between building owners and heat network operators.
For businesses working in energy infrastructure, the framework is therefore worth monitoring as a potential route to public sector connection projects.
Ongoing heat supply
The proposed framework will also cover ongoing heat supply contracts. These arrangements are important because connecting a building to a heat network is only one part of the overall requirement. Public sector customers also need appropriate commercial arrangements for the heat they receive.
For suppliers and operators, this may involve demonstrating their ability to provide a reliable service, manage supply arrangements and support customers throughout the contract period. The eventual procurement documents will establish the detailed commercial and technical requirements.
Who might be interested?
The framework's scope is most directly relevant to organisations involved in heat network connections and ongoing supply. This could include heat network operators, energy service businesses and organisations with capabilities relevant to connecting buildings to existing district heating infrastructure. Other specialist infrastructure providers may also have an interest, depending on how the final requirements are structured.
The key question for prospective suppliers is whether their services align with the specific connection and supply activities being procured.
RM6422 supplier engagement event: 9 November 2026
The Government Commercial Agency has scheduled an online market engagement event for Monday 9 November 2026 at 11:30am. This provides an opportunity for interested businesses to learn more about the proposed framework before the formal competition. The event is being held through Microsoft Teams.
Event details
- Date: Monday 9 November 2026
- Time: 11:30am
- Format: Online
- Meeting: Join the RM6422 market engagement event
- Meeting ID: 324 824 803 550 662
- Passcode: Wa6L58Ak
The wider preliminary market engagement deadline is listed as 30 December 2026.
Businesses considering participating should use the event to understand the proposed procurement and assess whether the framework matches their capabilities. Attending may also help suppliers identify the information and documentation they should begin preparing ahead of the tender's expected publication.
How does RM6422 relate to heat network zoning?
The framework is intended to support the government's heat network zoning arrangements. Heat network zoning is designed to identify areas where shared heat networks are expected to provide an effective approach to decarbonising heating. Within these areas, connecting suitable buildings to heat networks can support the wider development of district heating infrastructure.
The government's approach is intended to make it easier to identify locations where heat networks are appropriate and provide greater certainty for investment. RM6422 is relevant because public sector buildings can represent substantial sources of heat demand. Hospitals, universities, offices and other public buildings may be suitable customers for existing heat networks, depending on their location, infrastructure and operational requirements.
The proposed framework is not limited to buildings within designated heat network zones. It is intended to be available to public sector buildings more broadly. Businesses can review the government's heat network zoning information for further background on the policy and its development.
Why could the framework matter for energy suppliers?
The proposed £800 million framework represents a potentially significant route for suppliers operating in the district heating market. Public sector organisations often have long-term heating requirements, and connecting buildings to shared infrastructure can involve substantial technical and commercial considerations. For suppliers, a national procurement arrangement could provide a more consistent route to customers seeking these services. There are several reasons why businesses may wish to engage early.
- Understanding public sector requirements
Public buildings vary considerably in size, operating hours, heat demand and existing heating infrastructure. Suppliers need to understand how their capabilities could meet these differing requirements. - Preparing for technical and commercial assessments
Heat network connections and supply arrangements can involve complex interfaces between infrastructure, building systems and contractual responsibilities. Businesses should consider how they would demonstrate relevant expertise, delivery arrangements and commercial capability. - Identifying suitable opportunities
Not every energy or mechanical engineering business will necessarily be suited to the eventual framework. Early engagement provides an opportunity to examine whether the proposed scope aligns with existing services or potential delivery partnerships. - Planning resources
Connection projects and long-term supply arrangements may require coordination between operational, technical and commercial teams. Reviewing capacity and responsibilities in advance could help suppliers prepare for the future procurement.
Regulation and quality in heat network services
Heat networks operate within an evolving regulatory environment covering technical performance and consumer protection. Ofgem became the regulator for heat networks in Great Britain in January 2026, introducing consumer protection requirements for the sector.
The government has also been developing technical standards and the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme to support the quality and performance of heat network infrastructure. For prospective RM6422 suppliers, regulatory knowledge and technical competence are therefore important areas to consider.
Depending on the services offered, businesses may need to demonstrate suitable engineering expertise, appropriate operational procedures and an understanding of the requirements affecting heat supply. Relevant information could include experience delivering comparable projects, technical documentation, maintenance arrangements and processes for managing performance. The detailed framework requirements will determine what evidence is mandatory.
Further information is available through the government's heat network technical standards guidance.
How suppliers can prepare for the RM6422 tender
The formal tender is currently expected to be published on 25 January 2027. Businesses interested in the framework can use the period before publication to review their capabilities and prepare supporting information.
Assess relevant experience
Begin by identifying previous projects involving heat networks, energy infrastructure, building connections or heat supply. Consider the scale of the work, the technical responsibilities involved and the outcomes achieved. Case studies should explain the business's role and demonstrate how it addressed the customer's requirements. Where possible, include evidence of performance, reliability and successful project delivery.
Review technical capabilities
Suppliers should consider whether they possess the expertise required for their intended services. This may include engineering resources, operational systems, technical qualifications and experience managing relevant infrastructure. Businesses relying on delivery partners should also establish how responsibilities would be allocated and managed.
Consider commercial arrangements
Ongoing heat supply contracts may have different commercial characteristics from one-off infrastructure projects. Suppliers should assess how they would approach pricing, contractual responsibilities and long-term service delivery. Understanding these considerations early may help identify any gaps in existing capabilities.
Prepare supporting documentation
Organisations can also review the information they typically need for public sector tender submissions. This may include company credentials, relevant policies, insurance information, technical evidence and project references. The aim is to ensure that key information is accessible and current when the procurement begins.
Thornton & Lowe's bid writing support helps businesses prepare structured, evidence-based tender responses and demonstrate their capabilities against published evaluation requirements.
What happens next for RM6422?
Following the preliminary market engagement programme, the Government Commercial Agency is expected to progress the framework towards formal procurement. The current notice identifies 25 January 2027 as the anticipated tender publication date, with the framework scheduled to begin on 30 June 2027. Interested suppliers should monitor Find a Tender for further notices and procurement documents.
The immediate opportunity is to participate in the 9 November engagement event and use the information provided to inform future bidding decisions.
Bid writing support for heat network suppliers
The National Framework for Heat Network Connection & Supply could create important opportunities for businesses providing district heating connections, energy infrastructure and heat supply services to public sector customers. Early engagement will help suppliers understand the proposed framework and assess how their experience and capabilities align with the eventual requirements.
Thornton & Lowe supports energy, utilities and infrastructure businesses with framework applications, bid strategy and tender preparation. Our team can help suppliers present technical expertise, demonstrate relevant project experience and prepare competitive responses when the formal procurement begins. If you're interested in RM6422 or other energy-sector opportunities, speak to Thornton & Lowe about preparing for your next framework application.
