Procurement - public sector heat decarbonisation framework 2026 to 2029: buyer's guide

Framework overview

Framework title

Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation (SPSHD) Framework Project Support Unit

Single supplier

This is a Single Supplier Framework.

Scots law

The Framework Terms and Conditions are subject to Scots Law.

Background

The SPSHD PSU is specifically designed to support Public Sector organisations that wish to undertake an energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-zero-carbon, or heat decarbonisation retrofit project and call off Scottish Government’s SPSHD Framework. Please note that any services required outside the SPSHD Framework fall out of scope for the PSU (for example procurement of contractors outside the SPSHD Framework, for works not included in the Framework specification, cannot be supported by the PSU).

The overarching aim of the SPSHD PSU is to support users of the SPSHD Framework (Framework Authorities) to secure value for money through works and services that will: maximise energy savings, cut fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions in non-domestic public sector buildings via the SPSHD Framework. The SPSHD PSU will achieve this by supporting organisations to develop and tender services through the implementation of their retrofit projects. The SPSHD PSU will have the capacity and capability to provide the full delivery service and to meet the targets and standards required to support Framework Authorities. However, Scottish Government and the Framework Authorities have the flexibility to instruct other contractors to deliver all or part of the services required to achieve these objectives.

Please note: The SPSHD Framework is currently in the initial stages of procurement and the contract has not yet been awarded. It is anticipated that the contract award will be in early 2027. This Buyer’s Guide will be revised and updated following the award.

Framework period

The Framework period from 17 February 2026 to 16 February 2029 with an option to extend to 16 February 2030 (1 year option) or as otherwise terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of the Framework. Call Off contracts can be significantly longer (see below). Call-Off contracts cannot be awarded after 16 February 2029, unless the Scottish Government Procurement Team formally extends the Framework.

Call-Off contracts awarded before the expiry of the Framework Agreement can continue to their conclusion.

Insurance

Clause 36 of the Framework Agreement states that the PSU must affect and maintain public liability insurance in the sum of not less than £5 million, professional indemnity insurance in the sum of not less than £2 million and employers’ liability insurance in accordance with any legal obligation for the time being in force. Authorities can choose to amend this level to reflect more closely the level required under their Call-Off contract.

Contract management provisions

The Framework will be managed overall by the manager of the Public Sector team who will be responsible for regular Framework Contractor review meetings covering escalated issues, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), benchmarking, and innovation. On expiry of the Framework, Scottish Procurement will review this. Throughout the Framework period and following Framework expiry, Authorities will be required to manage the day-to-day operational aspects of their Call-Off contract with the PSU.

Management information to be provided by the PSU

The PSU will provide Management Information throughout the lifetime of the agreement. Management Information will be provided to both the Authorities and Scottish Procurement monthly or as specified

Scope

The role of the SPSHD PSU will be to support users of the SPSHD Framework to develop documentation and issue tenders for available services and support Framework Public Bodies through the implementation of their decarbonisation projects. The SPSHD PSU will provide specialist Project Management, Procurement and Technical advisors across a range of services, including decarbonisation, renewable generation, heat decarbonisation retrofit services, technical and energy and buildings related services and related procurement support to deliver and/or procure delivery of EnPCs from the SPSHD Frameworks across all regions of Scotland including the Highlands and Islands. Core work areas that the SPSHD PSU may deliver include:

• marketing and engagement – on-going promotion of Scottish Government’s SPSHD Framework, establish positive relationships with existing and potential Framework Public Bodies in order to establish a pipeline of projects, facilitate formal sign up to Framework services.
• prepare – assist Framework Public Bodies to determine user specific requirements, develop business cases, support users in considering 3 funding and financing opportunities and most appropriate procurement route.  
• procure - support procurement processes and consider new ways of working that will improve the delivery of the SPSHD Framework.
• save – facilitate the successful delivery of SPSHD Framework Call Off contracts and technical quality assurance and guidance associated with these contracts; support the achievement of a high performance from the SPSHD Framework.
• programme support – maintain and develop a range of processes to support the PSU’s activities, a range of standardised documents and toolkits, and develop and undertake a monitoring Framework.

What is out of scope

Retrofit projects that sit out with the scope of the SPSHD Framework for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation.