Official UK procurement notice
CSP26751 - Delegates for International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Programme
Authority: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (Central government)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionIntroduction and Summary of Requirements
DESNZ is looking for experts in their field with a strong network of contacts across their industry to act as an Alternate Delegate for the following International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs):
Lot 1 Energy Storage (ES)
Lot 2 Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT)
Lot 3 Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS)
Lot 4 Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS)
Summary
UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS), acting on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), invites proposals for the role of Alternate Delegate for provision of support to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP).
UK SBS is managing this procurement process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) and the Procurement Regulations 2024 applicable to this procurement procedure (as may be amended from time to time) (the “Regulations”). This is a Services Contract being procured under the Open Procedure.
This procurement shall be split into 4 Lots as follows and for each Lot one Contract shall be awarded to the successful supplier(s).
LOT 1 - Energy Storage (ES)
LOT 2 - Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT)
LOT 3 - Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS)
LOT 4 - Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS)
Please state clearly which lot you are applying for in your submission in the bid title. The application must be submitted by an organisation for a specific individual within the organisation. This can be a company, university, NGO or sole trader. An organisation may submit bids for several lots, no single individual may be proposed for more than one Lot. For example, a Supplier may bid for all four Lots; however, a different academic or employee must be nominated as the lead representative for each Lot.
Each lot will be assessed individually so please provide a separate application for each lot applied for (including declarations). Each lot will only be awarded to one bidder.
Background
The IEA works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 32 member countries and beyond. Founded in 1974, the IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis of 1973/4. While this remains a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded. It is at the heart of global dialogue on energy innovations.
Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs) are independent, international groups of experts that enable governments and industries from around the world to lead programmes and projects on a wide range of energy technologies and related issues. TCPs currently cover topics related to:
- Efficient end-use (buildings, electricity, industry, transport).
- Cleaner fossil fuels (greenhouse-gas mitigation, extraction, supply, transformation).
- Renewable energy and hydrogen (technologies and policies for deployment).
- Cross-cutting issues (modelling, technology transfer, project financing).
- Fusion power (safety, physics, materials, technologies).
The 6,000 experts in the TCPs work to advance the research, development and commercialisation of energy technologies. The scope and strategy of each TCP is in keeping with the IEA Shared Goals of energy security, environmental protection and economic growth, as well as engagement worldwide. Depending on the TCP, activities may include:
- Basic and applied research, technology development and pilot plants
- Technology assessment, feasibility studies, environmental impact studies, market analysis, policy implications
- Information exchange of research results and programmes
- Scientist exchanges
- Databases, modelling and systems analysis
- Experts’ networks.
More information on the IEA and the TCPs is available here: Technology collaboration - About - IEA.
Each TCP typically has two Delegates who represent each country at the Executive Committee: a primary Delegate and an Alternate Delegate.
Each TCP is its own entity and therefore have different methods for organising activities. The types of activities are, however, broadly consistent across the TCPs.
The UK is currently participating in 28 TCPs. The Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy (SICE) directorate in DESNZ funds 12 of these. At this time, DESNZ is looking to appoint Alternate Delegates for 4 of these TCPs to represent the UK industry alongside the primary DESNZ Delegate:
- Energy Storage - iea-es.org ↗
- Heat Pump Technologies (HPT) - www.heatpumpingtechnologies.org ↗
- Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) - iea-pvps.org ↗
- Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS) - iea-industry.org ↗
The UK also participates in Mission Innovation, which is the leading international collaboration platform on innovation hosted by the IEA. SICE currently coordinates input into the seven Missions of Mission Innovation. Where relevant to the programme of work of the IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes, alternate delegates should seek to join up activities and stakeholder engagement.
Acronyms and terminology:
IEA TCP International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs): multilateral working groups established by the IEA across 8 themes (Buildings, Electricity, Industry, Transport, Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Fusion Power, cross-cutting)
IEA TCP Secretariat Organises the general TCP administration (requesting invoices, organising annual activities), liaises with the IEA and stakeholders
DESNZ (Primary) Delegate Government representative in the IEA TCPs. Drawn from across technical and policy teams. Primarily responsible for administration and knowledge transfer within DESNZ, quality assessment of UK outputs to IEA, but can get more involved depending on expertise and resource.
Alternate Delegate (AD) Experts in their field appointed through open competition. In charge of running the UK’s TCP activities and producing main outputs.
DESNZ TCP Co-ordinator Oversees all the TCPs at a working level within DESNZ and is responsible for the procurement of DESNZ and Alternate Delegates, reporting of TCP activities for DESNZ governing procedures and any general admin tasks not specific to individual TCPs.
National TCP Coordinator Oversees all UK TCP Activity across 28 TCP Programmes with UK representation. Facilitates engagement across TCP representatives and provides support on alignment between TCPs and policy.
Tasks / Annexes Sub-tasks produced by TCPs, where members create working groups to produce reports, gather international data on technologies/policies/ business models, etc. Known variously as tasks, sub-tasks, working groups, and annexes in different TCPs, but referred to as ‘annexes’ for clarity in this specification.
Operating agent Project manager or technical lead of an annex. In charge of defining the programme of work of the annexes, and ensuring delivery of outputs. Known under different terminology across TCPs, but used here for clarity.
National Team A team of UK experts from industry, third sector and academia convened by the Alternate Delegate.
ExCo Executive committee meeting which typically occurs twice a year (generally at least once in person).
The role of Alternate Delegate has general tasks common to all TCPs. Additional opportunities such as active participation in annex work or chairing the TCP can vary and be shaped by the AD and DESNZ Delegate. All ADs are expected to be able to complete all tasks, and the general tasks below are considered a minimum requirement. The Programme of Work will vary by TCP and will be jointly agreed with the DESNZ Delegate. The minimum requirement is expected to correspond to 12 days per financial year, amounting to a total minimum time requirement over the maximum potential duration of the contract of 29 days.
- No preliminary market engagement: A separate pre-market engagement exercise is not considered necessary by the Department prior to launching the ITT. The IEA TCPs are long-established programmes, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and with already approved budgets, so a pre-market engagement would not meaningfully inform the design of the procurement exercise. Furthermore, they are well known within the relevant academic, research and industry communities. Given the highly specialised nature of the requirement, the ITT can be effectively promoted through established technical and professional networks to ensure broad awareness amongst potential bidders. In addition, DESNZ previously procured equivalent contracts for other TCP subject areas and signalled its intention to procure the remaining lots through a future exercise. As a result, the market has had advance notice of this opportunity for some time, with potential suppliers already expressing informal interest.
CPV: Energy and related services · Energy-efficiency consultancy services · Information technology services · Research consultancy services · Research services
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value (£147,934 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Energy Storage (ES)Published value£30,700
LOT 1 - Energy Storage (ES)
The Alternate Delegate for the Energy Storage TCP will support in ensuring the UK derives value from participation in the Energy Storage TCP.
The Energy Storage TCP’s mission is “to facilitate integral research, development, implementation, and integration of energy storage technologies in order to raise the efficiency of all types of energy system and promote an increasing use of renewables over fossil fuels”. The TCP is an international community of policy makers, academics, and industry professionals working on all aspects of energy storage. This includes tasks on electrical, thermal, chemical, mechanical energy storage; integration of energy storage with energy systems; energy storage materials and components; and other related areas of work.
Further information can be found here: Energy Storage Technology Collaboration Programme - IEA ES TCP
Country Members: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA
The general tasks are:
- Represent the UK in ExCo Meetings.
- Act as the primary liaison between UK industry and the TCP.
- Prepare national annual reports for the IEA on the state of research, technology deployment, policy support and projects.
- Manage and develop the National Team of interested experts, to coordinate tasks and knowledge dissemination.
- Participate in and propose TCP tasks or annexes, which are working groups aimed at delivering a specific task or output, advancing the knowledge base of the relevant TCP area.
- Knowledge transfer from the TCP to DESNZ through the DESNZ Delegate.
- Prepare a short annual report summarising TCP activities for DESNZ’s monitoring and reviewing purposes in collaboration with the DESNZ Delegate.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this commission are to ensure that:
- The activities of the TCPs are fully disseminated to their respective UK industries and researchers.
- The UK takes an active role in the participation, management and development of the TCPs and ensures their activities are beneficial for the UK.
- Activities across related TCPs are joined up, to avoid duplication and maximise added value through collaboration.
Lot #2Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT)Published value£30,700
LOT 2 - Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT)
The Alternate Delegate for the Heat Pumping Technologies TCP will support in ensuring the UK derives value from participation in the HPT TCP.
The HPT TCP is a non-profit organization working in the field of heat pumping technologies, i.e., all technologies where heat is lifted from a lower temperature level to a higher one, such as heat pumps, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Under the management of an Executive Committee representing the member countries, the programme carries out a strategy to accelerate the use of heat pumping technologies in all applications where they can reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy sources, and contribute to energy security and affordable energy for all – for the benefit of people, the environment, and a sustainable future.
The main activities within the programme are to run collaborative research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects, to organise a triennial conference, and to perform communication through the Heat Pump Centre, the Projects, and the National teams.
Further detail of the HPT TCP can be found here: heatpumpingtechnologies.org ↗
Participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The general tasks are:
- Represent the UK in ExCo Meetings.
- Act as the primary liaison between UK industry and the TCP.
- Prepare national annual reports for the IEA on the state of research, technology deployment, policy support and projects.
- Manage and develop the National Team of interested experts, to coordinate tasks and knowledge dissemination.
- Participate in and propose TCP tasks or annexes, which are working groups aimed at delivering a specific task or output, advancing the knowledge base of the relevant TCP area.
- Knowledge transfer from the TCP to DESNZ through the DESNZ Delegate.
- Prepare a short annual report summarising TCP activities for DESNZ’s monitoring and reviewing purposes in collaboration with the DESNZ Delegate.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this commission are to ensure that:
- The activities of the TCPs are fully disseminated to their respective UK industries and researchers.
- The UK takes an active role in the participation, management and development of the TCPs and ensures their activities are beneficial for the UK.
- Activities across related TCPs are joined up, to avoid duplication and maximise added value through collaboration.
Lot #3Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS)Published value£55,834
LOT 3 - Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS)
The Alternate Delegate for the PVPS TCP will support in ensuring the UK derives value from participation in the PVPS TCP.
The PVPS TCP conducts joint projects in the application of photovoltaic conversion of solar energy to electricity. This includes tasks related to PV sustainability activities, reliability and performance, transport, off-grid and edge-of-grid PV, and building-integrated PV.
The IEA PVPS programme aims to realise its mission through the following objectives:
- PV technology development
- Competitive PV markets
- An environmentally and economically sustainable PV industry
- Policy recommendations and strategies
- Impartial and reliable information
Country members: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), Solar Power Europe, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States of America.
The general tasks are:
- Represent the UK in ExCo Meetings.
- Act as the primary liaison between UK industry and the TCP.
- Prepare national annual reports for the IEA on the state of research, technology deployment, policy support and projects.
- Manage and develop the National Team of interested experts, to coordinate tasks and knowledge dissemination.
- Participate in and propose TCP tasks or annexes, which are working groups aimed at delivering a specific task or output, advancing the knowledge base of the relevant TCP area.
- Knowledge transfer from the TCP to DESNZ through the DESNZ Delegate.
- Prepare a short annual report summarising TCP activities for DESNZ’s monitoring and reviewing purposes in collaboration with the DESNZ Delegate.
•
Essential Lot 3 Requirements
- Demonstrable expertise in solar PV technologies and the UK PV sector, and a strong understanding of PV deployment, policy, regulation and market developments in the UK
- Ability to provide a strategic perspective on PV within the broader context of renewable energy deployment and the energy transition
- Good understanding of key UK PV stakeholders across government, industry and academia
- Ability to utilise relevant official databases and statistics to support reporting and analysis
The following would be advantageous:
- Access to commercial market intelligence and PV market databases.
In addition, for Lot 3 (PVPS TCP)
The Alternate Delegate is expected to participate in Task 1 (Strategic PV Analysis and Outreach): iea-pvps.org/research-tasks/strat… ↗
Task 1 produces at least two reports or special events annually, highlighting key drivers and status of PV development in both IEA PVPS countries and globally. Current discussions focus on PV integration in mature markets including grid constraints, flexibility, curtailment, negative pricing, and the role of storage and demand-side measures. The Task also examines policy and regulatory challenges associated with PV deployment, supply chains, manufacturing competitiveness and the translation of technical evidence into policy and regulatory action. The core activities in this task are:
- Attend twice yearly physical meetings. These meetings are the primary forum for discussion and decision-making, including agreement on deliverables, events and future activities. Each meeting is minimum 2.5 days.
- Complete the annual national data collection exercise (PV deployment, market trends, costs, policies and grid integration) for the Snapshot of Global PV Markets and Trends in Photovoltaic Applications reports.
- Review documents produced by the Task
Other activities may include:
- Participation to additional workshops in international conferences organized by IEA-PVPS Task 1
- Participation to the writing of additional reports.
- Organising Task 1 meetings
- Working with Task 15 Manager to organise and deliver an international workshop/seminar (virtual) on plug-in solar PV, including contributing to the preparation of any associated report or publication.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this commission are to ensure that:
- The activities of the TCPs are fully disseminated to their respective UK industries and researchers.
- The UK takes an active role in the participation, management and development of the TCPs and ensures their activities are beneficial for the UK.
- Activities across related TCPs are joined up, to avoid duplication and maximise added value through collaboration.
Lot #4Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS)Published value£30,700
LOT 4 – Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS TCP)
The Alternate Delegate for the IETS TCP (known as Industry TCP) will support in ensuring the UK derives value from participation in the Industry TCP and a similar initiative called the Net Zero Industries Mission.
IEA Industrial Energy-Related Technologies and Systems (IETS) Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) (known as Industry TCP): IETS | An IEA Technology Collaboration Programme
The Industry TCP is coordinated by the Swedish Energy Agency and was launched in 2005. The programme is now wide ranging, covering industrial symbiosis, biorefineries, electrification, reuse of waste heat, AI, resilience to climate change, and circularity. At bi-annual Executive Committee Meetings government appointed delegates meet from each country to review updates on latest developments and share updates on policy and industry in their countries. The objective is to allow countries to work together to foster international co-operation for accelerated research and technology development of industrial energy-related technologies and systems with main focus on end-use technologies. The work is organised in Tasks, which can be viewed here: Tasks | IETS
Country members: Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, UK; Sponsors (university or industry): Japan, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Belgium
Mission Innovation – Net Zero Industries Mission (NIM): Net-Zero Industries Mission
Mission Innovation is the leading intergovernmental platform for collaboration on Innovation, launched at COP21 by world leaders when the Paris Agreement was signed, recognising the need for innovation to meet Net Zero goals. Missions are public-private partnerships focused on progressing towards a 2030 goal through international collaboration. NIM’s goal is to develop and demonstrate cost competitive solutions for the efficient decarbonization of energy intensive industries by 2030. The mission was launched in 2021 and is relatively new, with room to shape the activities based on UK interest.
Country members: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, European Commission, Finland, Germany, Republic of Korea, UK, Switzerland. Sponsors and partners include AFID, ARENA, AIT, CEM IDDI, UNIDO, GCCA, MPP, LinkedIn etc.
The general tasks of the delegate are:
- Represent the UK in the TCP ExCo Meetings (2x per year 1-2 days) and TCP Interim ExCo Meetings (2x per year 0.5 days),
- Act as the primary liaison between UK industry and academia and the TCP
- Prepare national annual reports for the IEA on the state of research, technology deployment, policy support and projects on industrial decarbonisation.
- Manage and develop the National Team of interested experts, to coordinate tasks and knowledge dissemination, alongside the Net Zero Industries Mission.
- Participate in and propose TCP tasks or annexes, which are working groups aimed at delivering a specific task or output, advancing the knowledge base of the relevant TCP area.
- Knowledge transfer from the TCP to DESNZ through the DESNZ Delegate.
- Prepare a short annual report summarising TCP activities for DESNZ’s monitoring and reviewing purposes in collaboration with the DESNZ Delegate.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this commission are to ensure that:
- The activities of the TCPs are fully disseminated to their respective UK industries and researchers.
- The UK takes an active role in the participation, management and development of the TCPs and ensures their activities are beneficial for the UK.
- Activities across related TCPs are joined up, to avoid duplication and maximise added value through collaboration.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical: 90%
- Commercial: 10%
Published award criteria (2)
- Commercial
- Technical
- Price carries 10 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 1 point. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 18 Sept 2026, 15:27 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Oct 2026, 14:31 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 28 Oct 2026
- Authority reference
CSP26751- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088804- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775adFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 5 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
18 Sept 2026 → 9 Nov 2026 · 6 dates- Tender notice published39 days ago18 Sept 2026, 15:27 BST
- Clarification questions by22 days ago5 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Latest notice published19 days ago8 Oct 2026, 14:31 BST
- Submission deadline14 days ago13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Today28 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 19h28 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 11 days9 Nov 2026
Notice history
3 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Sept 2026- Tender notice published18 Sept 2026, 15:27 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published5 Oct 2026, 14:39 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published8 Oct 2026, 14:31 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- UKSBSContracting authorityProcess contact pointPublic authority - sub-central government
Official documents & specifications (10)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender