Natural Gas
Framework Description
Natural Gas is a single-operator framework let by the Scottish Government (Scottish Procurement) for the supply of natural gas and associated services to the Scottish public sector, made available to APUC member institutions (Public Contracts Scotland ref. JUL509060). It is a single lot. The current term ends on 31 March 2027, with an option to extend by 36 months to 31 March 2030.
Context & Use Case
Universities and colleges buy gas through it for heating, hot water and laboratory use across their campuses, alongside other Scottish public bodies. With one operator, buyers sign up to the national arrangement rather than running competitions, and benefit from purchasing strategies and billing set up for multi-site public sector portfolios.
Scope of Services
Supply of natural gas to multiple sites Energy contract management and billing Usage data and consumption reporting Customer service and account management
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
There is a single appointed operator, so no other gas supplier can join. Licensed gas shippers and suppliers interested in the next national contract should prepare for a re-tender, which may follow 31 March 2027 or be delayed to 2030 if the extension is used.
Buyer Benefits
Pooling gas demand across the Scottish public sector gives institutions purchasing power and professional wholesale buying. Accurate billing and consumption data across many sites help estates teams manage costs and report carbon, and a single route avoids each institution tendering separately.
Next Steps
Check Public Contracts Scotland and APUC's catalogue for whether the extension beyond 31 March 2027 is taken. Suppliers aiming for the next contract should prepare evidence on multi-site billing, data provision, customer service for public bodies and support for decarbonisation and green gas options.
How Athena Can Help
A single-operator contract is all or nothing, so a well-judged decision on whether to bid matters. Our bid viability assessment tests fit, risk and margin early.
If you go ahead, our national framework registration support handles the selection stage, and our single-supplier bid preparation covers quality responses, competitor analysis and a pricing model built for a multi-year national contract. Every submission is compliance-checked before the deadline, and we can run a Bid Health Check on your draft.
