The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has launched a new scheme to simplify the procurement of electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) for local authorities to improve efficiencies and help citizens make sustainable transport choices.
The initiative is the result of a cross-government collaboration between CCS and the Department for Transport (DfT), as well as the support body for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund comprising Cenex, the Energy Saving Trust and PA Consulting.
Supporting the government’s ongoing commitment towards decarbonisation and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), it aims to significantly reduce the resource and cost burden on procurement teams, allowing local authorities to focus on delivering essential services for citizens and helping to make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of the Plan for Change.
EVI procurement presents several challenges for local authorities, including what to procure to meet the requirements for complex projects, setting effective contract terms and conditions, and negotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with suppliers.
The initiative aims to help remove these barriers to effective procurement and help local authorities make better buying decisions. Local authorities will now have access to customisable template documents to simplify the process of running an open market procurement for publicly available, on-street EVI services, as well as draft terms and conditions for a contract for these services.
These templates can then be tailored by local authorities to create their own unique set of tender documents, ensuring each procurement meets specific local needs and provides the best fit for each authority area.
This streamlines the tender invitation process, using the templates as a starting point for this process. They align with guidance from DfT for on-street EVI and support best practice, helping authorities to achieve the best outcome from their procurement.
Philip Orumwense, Commercial Director and Chief Procurement Officer for Technology at Crown Commercial Service, said:
“This initiative exemplifies our dedication to providing local authorities with the tools and commercial solutions they need to efficiently and effectively procure EV charging infrastructure.
“By offering this service, we are reducing burdens on local government whilst supporting access to sustainable transport solutions across a rapidly growing supplier base.”
Nick Harvey, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said:
“Since the LEVI Fund’s inception, the LEVI Support Body has developed products, resources and services that assist local authorities in navigating the complexities of EV charging infrastructure procurement and deployment.
“This suite of procurement templates and guidance documents, authored by the LEVI Support Body, is another example of our commitment to creating effective and user-friendly support.”
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