Utilities DPS
Framework Description
Crescent Purchasing Consortium's Utilities DPS is a single-lot dynamic purchasing system run in partnership with Sustainable Energy First. It opened on 29 May 2025 and runs to 23 February 2029, with no extension. It lets members buy energy and water contracts directly from licensed suppliers, rather than through a managed utilities service.
Context & Use Case
Colleges, universities, schools and other public bodies that want to buy their own utility contracts use it to appoint gas, electricity, water and metering suppliers. Sustainable Energy First manages the whole process for members, including the procurement and communication with suppliers. Options include fixed, flexible and portfolio energy, fixed and portfolio water, and meter operator and data services.
Scope of Services
Gas and electricity: fixed, flexible and portfolio offerings Water: fixed and portfolio offerings Meter operator services (MOP) Data collection and data aggregation (DC/DA) AMR/SMETS meter installation and data provision
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits licensed gas, electricity and water retail suppliers and metering service providers that serve public sector customers. As a live DPS, it is open to new suppliers throughout its term, so suppliers can apply to join now through CPC's MultiQuote portal.
Buyer Benefits
Energy is one of the biggest non-pay costs for education estates. Buyers value control over timing and contract terms, competition among licensed suppliers, and a compliant route that does not tie them to a single managed service. Being able to buy on their own timetable also helps them manage price risk.
Next Steps
Create a MultiQuote account and find the Utilities DPS using reference CA15344. Download the Invitation to Participate and appendices, follow its checklist, and upload the completed documents; CPC aims to evaluate applications within 10 working days. Have supply licences, financial standing and public sector references ready, and join early to be invited to more member competitions before 23 February 2029.
How Athena Can Help
Athena manages the full application to this DPS through our DPS application support, from qualification answers to the final compliance check.
After admission, members will run their own competitions. Our tender pricing and writing team helps you respond quickly with clear price structures and service answers, and our bid/no-bid guidance focuses your effort on the members most likely to buy from you. We also identify which types of member are most likely to buy from you.
