The soft market testing (SMT), in this case is where the City of London Corporation, is at an early stage in development of its procurement strategy prior to formulating any formal procurement opportunity, seeks input from the market as to what might be the most potentially attractive way of packaging and scoping a future procurement opportunity.

This exercise will also provide an opportunity for the Corporation, to obtain insight into how potential framework providers and energy suppliers might approach the delivery of the service in question.

It also gives useful early insight into the likely level of interest in a proposed project from the market.

The City of London Corporation have developed two questionnaires, one for framework providers and the other for Energy Suppliers (via www/capitalesourcing.com) that they would like interested parties to complete.

As stated above the outcome of the SMT exercise will inform an options appraisal with recommendations.

Further detailed reports will be prepared as appropriate in accordance with the City of London Energy Supply tender and approval procedures, and in accordance with the Procurement Regulations.

Potential participants will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the soft market testing.

Potential participants must also note that a response to this request does not guarantee an invitation to participate in this or any future procurement that The City of London Corporation may conduct.

Any procurement of the supply and services by the City of London Corporation will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the "Procurement Regulations").