The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) has issued a tender for its Sustainable Energy and Resilience Products Framework 2026, a four-year product catalogue framework valued at £500 million including VAT. The framework will allow current and future NHC members to purchase sustainable energy and resilience products, including batteries and solar PV panels.
For suppliers of solar PV, battery storage and related sustainable energy products, this is a strong route into the housing sector. The tender deadline is 27 July 2026 at 5:00pm. If you are considering a submission, contact Thornton & Lowe for a practical review of your product evidence, pricing and bid approach.
How the Catalogue Framework Works
Suppliers submit a list of compliant products and prices at tender stage. NHC members can then choose products from the catalogue and award directly to the relevant supplier, or run a further competition between suppliers offering similar products. The framework is available to current and future NHC members, including Teckal companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of those members.
This structure makes product information especially important. Buyers will need clear specifications, pricing, warranties, sustainability information, supply chain detail and delivery processes to compare products confidently.
Why Suppliers Should Pay Attention
- Housing sector demand is strong. Social housing providers are investing in stock decarbonisation, energy resilience and tenant energy cost reduction.
- The catalogue model can support direct awards. Strong product information and competitive pricing can help suppliers win call-offs without every requirement becoming a full competition.
- The framework is SME and VCSE suitable. The notice identifies suitability for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.
- All compliant bidders can secure a place. The notice states that bidders providing a compliant product catalogue and scoring at least 3 out of 5 on each quality criterion will be awarded a place.
Bidding Considerations
- Product compliance comes first. Datasheets, warranties, certifications, performance information and compatibility details should be clear and easy to assess.
- Supply chain and sustainability will be evaluated. The award criteria include product supply chain and sustainability, customer service, delivery, ordering and innovation.
- Pricing must be transparent. Product catalogue pricing is central to the framework, so pricing needs to be structured and easy to compare.
- Plan for the framework fee. The notice includes a supplier fee of up to 3% plus VAT of the price of products and/or services supplied to purchasing members.
Quick Facts
- Authority: Northern Housing Consortium Ltd
- Estimated value: £500,000,000 including VAT
- Term: 27 September 2026 to 26 September 2030
- Scope: Sustainable energy and resilience products, including batteries and PV solar panels
- Framework model: Product catalogue, with direct award and further competition options
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
Key Dates
- Enquiry deadline: 22 July 2026 at 5:00pm
- Tender deadline: 27 July 2026 at 5:00pm
- Estimated award decision: 14 August 2026
- Notice: Find a Tender - 058676-2026
Ready to explore a place on the Sustainable Energy and Resilience Products Framework 2026? Get in touch with Thornton & Lowe for support with compliance, catalogue presentation and bid quality. Our guide to how framework agreements work is a useful starting point if you are new to public sector frameworks.
