The procurement contact named on the official notice.

How to obtain and submit documents: The Council's uses The Chest e-tendering system https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ Tender documentation is available free of charge via The Chest. Project Reference: DN776854. Tender responses must be returned, and any clarifications/questions raised, through this same system. The tender documentation contains full instructions for participation, full details of the Project opportunity, both selection and award criteria, and the procurement timeline and process. Please allow sufficient time before the submission deadline to upload and submit your response through The Chest. Help and Support - Proactis/The Chest: In the event that suppliers require assistance with the use of or access to the Council's e-tendering portal, please go to https://www.the-chest.org.uk/SupplierSupport.html. Here there will be a hyperlink to log issues or 'submit a ticket' for ProContract V3. Alternatively, calls can be logged by emailing ProContractSuppliers@proactis.com and a representative will contact you as soon as possible. For critical and time-sensitive issues (normally requiring resolution within 60 minutes) then please call 0330 005 0352. This telephone number is attended 09.00 - 17.30 Monday to Friday. All communication (queries or clarifications) including your tender response is to go through the Council's e-tendering portal www.the-chest.org.uk and not addressed directly to individual Council employees or any Council agent by email or otherwise.

The submission route named on the official notice.

The project comprises development of a new heat network serving a mix of buildings including new build residential, existing residential, new build commercial and existing commercial.

The project forms an integral part of Birkenhead 2040 Regeneration Framework; one of the biggest brownfield redevelopment sites in the UK.

This regeneration of Birkenhead will take place across nine areas providing 21,000 new homes and almost 1,000,000 square metres of employment space over the next 20 years.

The area to be served by the network has been identified as a 'priority district heating zone' in Wirral's Local Plan.

It will make a significant contribution to reducing the carbon impact of new / existing development in the Borough and provide opportunities to residents and businesses for lower cost heating.

The project is well-aligned with regional policy objectives and initiatives.

It also fits into the Government's introduction of 'heat network zoning', which, through implementation, will mandate certain types of buildings in identified urban areas such as Birkenhead to connect to district heating within a prescribed timeframe.

It is envisaged that, once heat networking zoning is in place, the Birkenhead Heat Network could benefit from zoning 'incumbency' rules - meaning that nearby eligible buildings will be mandated to connect, further securing demand.

The project will be delivered through Wirral Council procuring a Development Partner.

The Council and Development Partner will enter into a Development Agreement under which the Development Partner will further develop its proposals for the heat network.

The Development Agreement will set out a number of requirements which the project must meet in order to proceed into an approvals gateway process.

If the project proceeds beyond the development period (i.e. is "approved" as part of the approvals gateway process), the Council and Development Partner will become shareholders in the ESCo, albeit that the Council's shareholding will be limited to a "Golden Share".

The ESCo will be the supplier of heat to a number of public and private sector bodies (including the Council) under separate heat connection and supply agreements.

The Council will not be investing in the project.

The Golden Share will simply allow the Council to exercise control in relation to a limited number of reserved matters including carbon intensity, reporting and tariffs.

The ESCo will be required to source all capital funding for the project.

The ESCo partner will be appointed in perpetuity.

The revenue derived over the first 40 years of the network is estimated to be in the region of £200 million (excluding VAT) / £240 million (including VAT) - £250 million (excluding VAT) / £300 million (including VAT).

This includes all phases and connected buildings in the core scheme and allowing for further expansion with the wider geographic area.

The estimated value cannot be guaranteed and so should not be relied upon by interested parties which might subsequently choose to pursue this procurement.

Any interested party should make their own independent commercial enquires, estimates, judgements and decisions associated with this project.

As part of the operation and expansion of the project, a range of customers in the Birkenhead area may seek to use the heat network, including a mix of public sector and private sector entities.

It is intended that this project will be available to those other entities.

Those entities may include: Sixth form colleges Central government departments (responsible for local offices) Higher education organisations NHS Primary Care bodies