Procurement - supply of natural gas framework: buyer guide SP-23-03

Framework benefits

• tender compliance: no requirement for Customers to undertake a tender process as the contract has been through a full OJEU compliant tendering process. This route saves Customers resource and money which would otherwise be spent undertaking a compliant tendering exercise. This also removes the risk of challenges over non-compliant contractual positions
• terms and conditions: set in place prior to a Framework Agreement being awarded, providing  a high degree of legal security
• transparency: so hidden fees. Breakdown of wholesale costs and average Commodity and Non Commodity costs
• price risk guidance: document issued quarterly that provides customers with energy market news, purchases made to date and ‘estimated’ future energy costs
• aggregated trading: buying power through aggregating the supply volume, which allows for significant volumes to be traded on the Futures wholesale market up to 2½ years in advance
• reduced supplier fees: aggregation of supplies/volumes has led to lower service cost fees for customers
• dedicated points of contact: dedicated Customer Service and Contract Management teams are in place for the contract and you will not be put through to a generic Call Centre
• managed risk strategies: risk management strategies in place and designed to meet the needs of Public Sector customers. These are reviewed by Governance members from individual subsectors of the Public Sector e.g. Local Authorities, NHS, Higher & Further Education, Central Government
• access to added value services: the Framework Agreement allows access to additional goods and services, e.g. Site-works Services, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) services, Green Gas, etc
• key performance indicators (KPIs): these are implemented from contract award to ensure supplier performance is monitored
• sign up: the majority of Scottish Public Sector use this Framework
• access and exit: a Public Body can access the Framework anytime, but must provide 12 months’ notice to leave. This allows a level of distribution within the gas portfolio, which has already been purchased on your behalf

Community and socio-economic benefits:

• community investment fund: £10K per annum for charities and social and environmental investment projects
• volunteering:  2 employees will be allocated 2 days per annum to volunteering in key projects recommended by Scottish Procurement and Key Stakeholders
• partnerships: TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd Will work with local secondary schools in Aberdeen and Shetland on STEM subjects

Climate change and environmental management:

• create energy efficient education material, where they will work with Scottish Procurement and Stakeholders to tailor these for community education
• provide monthly automated meter reading provision, free of charge

Fair work first:

• all staff are paid above the Real Living Wage
• creation of the TotalEnergies Women Initiative for Communication & Exchange