Notice

Non-Domestic Smarter Tariff Comparisons Innovation Programme: clarification questions (added 26 May 2023)

Updated 11 September 2023

1. We have noted that project teams are not permitted to include profit or contingency costs and that costs should reflect ‘fair market value’.  Is it acceptable to submit a pricing response using rates that have been tested across government and therefore are evidenced to reflect ‘fair market value’?

Applicants are instructed that the project costs quoted must reflect actual costs at a ‘fair market value’ and project teams are not permitted to include a margin for profit or contingency costs in the eligible project costs.

Under Assessment Criterion 5 - Value for Money - you are required to detail how you have satisfied yourself that all costs and overhead are realistic, robust, justified and fair market value. Please provide here your evidence of rates specific to this competition. It should not be assumed that rates accepted elsewhere in government are agreed rates for this competition.

2. Can we add consortium Partners in phase 2 – but not name them on the initial application?

Under Assessment Criterion 2 - Project Team, Composition and Expertise - your application should set out details on any additional support that would be needed, and from whom, in order to undertake and complete the project. It is acceptable to add consortium partners in phase 2, but not name them on the initial Phase 1 application.

As part of the Down-Selection Assessment Process presented in Section 8 of the Competition Guidance, Assessment Criterion 4 - Project Management - asks for successful Phase 1 projects applying to advance to Phase 2/ 3 to: include the status of discussions with any new project team members not utilised during the Phase 1 contract.

3. Is there a requirement to surface tariff options from all suppliers?

Or, can we tailor to individual energy supplier pricing structures / tariffs / recommendations to help a customer navigate and access the most suitable offer?

There are no specific requirements to surface tariff options from all energy suppliers (industry wide).

It is acceptable for tariff options to be tailored to individual energy supplier pricing structures/ tariffs/ recommendations to help a customer navigate can and access the most suitable offer. It is also acceptable to surface tariff options from all energy suppliers.

4. ‘Assesses the technical feasibility and provides a framework for how a smart meter-based tariff comparison tool could work.’ – Please advise the definition of ‘framework’ in this requirement from table 3.2

The requirement for a framework (table 3.2) is to set out a proposed structure to deliver a viable tariff comparison tool in the small non-domestic market. This could include, for example, a set of processes, participants’ roles and responsibilities, tasks, tools, inputs, and outputs. This framework could be represented visually.

5: For criterion 4 – Social Value. If we apply to self-deliver this Project without the use of a Supply Chain, in what way should we answer this question? General for our business rather than project specific?

You should respond to the social value question using the guidance set out in Assessment Criterion 4 which contains a link to the Social Value Model. Therefore, your response should provide commentary on how and why you believe that your project can contribute to creating new businesses, jobs and skills and to increasing supply chain resilience and capacity (where relevant).