Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9)
Framework Description
Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) is LHC Procurement Group's framework for energy efficiency and net zero works on public buildings and housing, offered through its regional arms. It replaced the N8 Energy Efficiency Measures and N8C Energy Efficiency Consultancy frameworks, bringing consultancy and installation into one agreement. N9 is a four-year framework, closed to new applications, running to 28 February 2029, with more than 80 suppliers appointed. This framework is used by LHC London and South East and SWPA.
Context & Use Case
Local authorities, housing associations, education bodies and other public organisations use N9 to plan and deliver decarbonisation and EPC improvement programmes, often tied to grant funding. A typical programme starts with consultancy, retrofit assessment and grant support under PAS 2035/2038, then moves to insulation, heating, controls or solar works, with larger whole-house schemes going to the multi-disciplinary lot.
Scope of Services
Consultancy: strategy, grant support, audits and PAS 2035/2038 assessments Multi-disciplinary works in three value bands (£0–£750k, £750k–£2.5m, £2.5m+) Building insulation: loft, cavity, internal and external wall Heating and ventilation, including renewables and district heating Building control, management systems and metering Solar PV, battery storage and EV charging
Lots
Consultancy; Multi-Disciplinary Works (three value bands £0-£750k, £750k-£2.5m, £2.5m+); Building Insulation; Heating & Ventilation; Building Control & Management; Solar PV & Electrical
Who Can Apply
Retrofit contractors, renewable installers and energy consultants with PAS 2035, MCS or TrustMark credentials where relevant. Applications for N9 are closed, so suppliers not appointed cannot join now. The next opening is the re-tender, likely around the 28 February 2029 expiry, which LHC will publish on its e-tendering portal.
Buyer Benefits
Decarbonisation grants often come with tight spending windows, and N9 lets buyers appoint consultants and installers without a full tender. Having assessment and works in one framework keeps PAS 2035 coordination consistent from survey to installation. Value bands for multi-disciplinary works give small pilots and whole-stock programmes their own route, and social value targets are built in.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should track the grant funding rounds that drive N9 call-offs and keep PAS 2035, MCS and TrustMark evidence current for each lot. Suppliers outside N9 should register on LHC's e-tendering portal, follow the framework page for news of a successor before 28 February 2029, and build retrofit case studies with measured energy or carbon outcomes in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
N9 call-offs are often won on the quality of the retrofit methodology and the carbon outcomes promised. Athena's bid management consultants write those responses to the scoring criteria, build F.V.D. win themes and model your likely score against competitors.
If you are not on N9, we can find open decarbonisation frameworks and DPSs through our registration support, and use bid planning for public contracts to get ready for the N9 re-tender.
