Your recommendation

Energy cost recovery services

We think you should use the Department for Education (DFE) framework.

What this contract offers

To make this service easier for schools and trusts to access, the Department for Education have run a procurement centrally from Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework RM6266, and appointed PCMG to deliver the validation of electricity and gas bills and carry out cost recovery services where errors are identified. The contract aims to ensure that all schools across England can benefit from specialist contract compliance reviews, including the identification of payment errors and the potential recovery of funds.

How to access the contract

To access this contract schools and trusts will need to complete the form below (click on the green 'Visit DfE website' button)

On registration you will be issued a Letter of Engagement to complete and sign, formalising the agreement between you and the supplier and agreeing to the terms of the service.

You will also be required to sign a Letter of Authority to allow PCMG to engage directly with your current energy provider.

What happens next

  • on completion of the Letter of Engagement and Letter of Authority, the supplier will gather the information required and undertake the analysis. This could take up to three months to complete
  • when completed the analysis report will be sent to you
  • all recommendations will only be actionable in the event you are happy to proceed and confirm this in writing (including any recoveries). In this event, the supplier will progress these on your behalf
  • arrangements will be agreed for the return or crediting of identified funds and upon receipt, the supplier will invoice you requesting payment based on the terms agreed in the Letter of Engagement.

Benefits

  • quick and easy to sign up
  • electricity and/or gas bill audits (up to 6 years retrospectively) and identification of billing and/or payment errors
  • no cost to your organisation as the contract operates on a commission basis in the event of any cost recovery.

Alternatively, you can set up your own contract directly via:

  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Debt Resolution Services RM6226 framework (To access - click the link in the Related Content / Explore the topic section on the right-hand side of this page)

All frameworks also offer:

  • compliance with the relevant procurement regulations
  • suppliers pre-checked by the approved framework provider
  • pre-agreed terms and conditions
Visit the DFE website
If this framework agreement does not match your needs, or you need advice during your procurement, get free help and support from the Get help buying for schools service.