Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council are undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to a proposed Energy Advice and Guidance Service for residents across both districts. The proposed service would principally support residents experiencing, or at risk of, fuel poverty, with particular emphasis on vulnerable households. It may include advice, guidance and casework relating to household energy affordability, fuel debt, grants and other financial assistance, income maximisation, heating and hot-water difficulties, energy efficiency, and access to appropriate support services.

Procurement Act 2023

Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council are seeking preliminary market feedback from suitably qualified and experienced organisations regarding a proposed Energy Advice and Guidance Service. The Councils are considering commissioning a single coordinated service across both districts. The service would provide free, impartial and practical support to residents, particularly households experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty and those who may be vulnerable or face barriers to accessing support. The proposed service may include: accessible household energy and affordability advice; fuel-poverty screening and proportionate individual casework; support with fuel debt, energy bills, tariffs and household energy costs; assistance in identifying and accessing grants, rebates, discounts and other financial support; benefit and income-maximisation checks or effective referral arrangements; support for residents experiencing loss of heating or hot water; advice on insulation, heating, ventilation, condensation, damp, renewable technologies and other relevant energy-efficiency measures; warm referrals and assisted handovers to appropriate organisations, schemes and installers; home visits where residents cannot be supported effectively through other channels; targeted outreach, engagement, partnership working and stakeholder briefings or training; and auditable case management, customer feedback and outcome reporting. The Councils currently anticipate indicative annual budgets of approximately: Wychavon District Council: £15,000 excluding VAT Malvern Hills District Council: £11,000 excluding VAT Combined indicative annual budget: £26,000 excluding VAT These figures remain subject to confirmation. The Councils wish to understand what service and level of provision the market considers realistically deliverable within these indicative budgets, including any efficiencies available through a coordinated two-district service. Purpose of the engagement The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to: assess the likely level of market interest; understand relevant supplier experience and capability; test whether the proposed scope, service standards and reporting requirements are proportionate and deliverable; understand potential delivery models, including partnerships, consortia and subcontracting; identify the service level and delivery model achievable within the indicative budgets; identify principal cost and delivery drivers; understand potential mobilisation requirements and contract-term considerations; identify barriers that could restrict competition; and inform the Councils’ approach to any subsequent procurement. Organisations are invited to review the draft service outline and complete the market-engagement questionnaire available through the procurement portal. Important information This exercise is being conducted for preliminary market-engagement and information-gathering purposes only. It is not an invitation to tender, a formal expression of interest or the commencement of a procurement procedure. Participation will not provide an organisation with an advantage in any subsequent procurement. Organisations that do not participate in this exercise will not be prevented from participating in any future procurement opportunity. The Councils are not committed to undertaking a procurement or awarding a contract and may amend, postpone or discontinue the proposed requirement. The information received may be used to develop the specification, procurement strategy, budget, evaluation approach and proposed contractual arrangements. How to respond Interested organisations should download and complete the Preliminary Market Engagement questionnaire through the Proactis ProContract Procurement Portal. Portal: Proactis ProContract Reference: PLLQ-1582-DCZZ Response deadline: 12:00 noon on Thursday 5 November 2026 Completed responses and any clarification questions must be submitted through the procurement portal. Organisations should not approach individual Council officers regarding the requirement. For portal-related support, please contact [email protected] or use the Proactis technical support service