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Microgeneration Research Project: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Clarification over timings

The invitations to tender were sent out 05.06.2007.
Tenders should be back with the Department by 16.07.2007 12pm. Any questions about the ITT will be answered up to 10.07.2007.

2. Definition of ‘microgeneration’

Microgeneration is defined in section 82 of the Energy Act 2004 as the small scale production of heat and/or electricity from a low carbon source. See the Office of Public Sector Information website for a full definition including energy sources and capacities.

3. Definition of ‘consumer’

We expect all key market segments to be included, including but not limited to households, businesses, public sector etc.

4. Demand for microgeneration – we assume that this would assess demand from homeowners, providers of managed housing, housing developers, and non-residential energy users – is this correct?

As in Q3, we expect this to address key market segments.

5. Submission of tenders via email or hard copy

Tenders must be received in hard copy.

We also like to receive a copy via email to enable easy circulation to our assessment panel (although this is not a requirement). If you do submit an electronic copy, this must be in addition to the hard copy, and we prefer that you only send the main tender documents, not the accompanying organisational information.

6. Members of the consortium

The consortium of funding agencies consists of the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Micropower Council, Energy Saving Trust, Ashden Trust, Renewable Energy Foundation, E.On UK plc, British Gas Service Ltd, Ceres Power plc, National Energy Action, and the following Regional Development Agencies, East Midlands Development Agency, South West of England Development Agency, South East Development Agency and London Development Agency.

7. Timescales for the research

The ITT doesn’t specify a timescale. When deciding on timescale, you should take into account previous projections, such as the 2005 EST report, Government targets for zero carbon homes by 2016, the step changes in the Code for Sustainable Homes, Europe wide targets for 20% of Energy to come from renewable sources by 2020, and G8 targets for 2050.

8. If we are tendering as a consortium, do you need organisational information from all members of the consortium?

Yes. We have requested 2 copies of your tender. You may send just send one copy of the related organisational documents if you wish, but we do require 2 copies of your proposal.

9. Stakeholder engagement: are we able to use the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Conference centre for any events?

Yes, depending on availability. Further details and prices are available on the 1 Victoria Street Conference Centre website. Costs for using the conference centre should be built into the total costs.

10. Price and delivery schedule

Columns 1-3 of form PF36 were supposed to have been filled in by Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. As this form was sent out with these columns left blank, please use the costs as stated in the specification:

The cost for the project, with VAT identified separately, broken down as follows:

  • Separate pricing for each element of the research methodology
  • Research team’s time
  • Attendance at meetings
  • Costs for working with winners of other ‘lot’ if you are only selected for one part of the research
  • Appropriate stakeholder engagement
  • plus any additional costs for separate assessment at a regional level (for example, along RDA boundaries), inclusion of Northern Ireland
  • and any added value options