Biomass Research Programme

What the buyer is asking for

DESNZ is seeking to procure a contractor to provide research services for a four-year Biomass Research Programme. The programme will advance scientific understanding of the role and potential of biomass and bioenergy in supporting climate change mitigation, enhancing energy security, and de-risking the delivery of net zero. It will include research on: Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of biomass feedstocks and bioenergy systems Biomass availability and demand across sectors Sustainability criteria and environmental impacts Co-benefits and trade-offs including biodiversity, air and water quality Economic modelling of biomass-derived fuels and materials The bioeconomy and its potential for growth and decarbonisation The following skills and expertise are considered particularly important for this work: Geospatial modelling Spatial data analysis Modelling climate scenarios Scientific research Scientific analysis Policy development Economic research The project will additionally require strong project management capability to support the delivery of this research. Outputs are likely to include: Reports, policy briefings, and technical annexes Updated models (e.g. UK & Global Bioenergy Resource Model) Seminars, workshops, and teach-ins Data sets and scenario analyses to inform policy decisions The programme will be delivered through seven work packages (WP), covering: WP1: Programme Management WP2: Biomass Lifecycle Analysis WP3: Feedstock Availability WP4: Biomass Feedstocks for Industry WP5: Biomass Sustainability Framework (with co-benefits & trade-offs) WP6: Analyses of the Bioeconomy WP7: A Flexible Fund for emerging evidence needs DESNZ is holding a supplier event on MS Teams on 13.01.2026, consisting of a presentation by DESNZ followed by Q&A.

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 15%quality1. Understanding the Requirement (4 pages total excluding references)1a Understanding the Research Need  Demonstrate an understanding of the research needs outlined in this requirement in the context of latest scientific developments and current research in the field. Includes articulating the complexity and interactions between different research themes, major evidence gaps, opportunities and stakeholders impacted.   Strong answers will be supported by current evidence from across a range of disciplines, and will go beyond the level of information and detail outlined in the ITT. 1b Policy Relevance  5% Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant current UK policy landscape, and how the requirement would support delivery on the key policy objectives outlined in the requirement.     Strong answers will identify realistic specific evidence needs for policy within this landscape and clearly link research themes and outputs to these. They will also go beyond the level of information and detail outlined in the ITT.
• 25%quality2. Methodology and Approach (15 pages total excluding references- use proportionate detail to value)2a Data Sources Demonstrate an understanding of key datasets and data sources available that would be of use to addressing the research themes and questions outlined in the requirement, making reference to the relevant deliverables.   Strong answers will identify data sources and assess how the data will be accessed, including how and who will be engaged to achieve this, as well as identifying the quality of the data and how uncertainty will be dealt with and demonstrate how this data will be used to answer the research questions in the requirement.  2b. Analytical Methods 20% Outline the proposed analytical methods to be used for each of the research themes to address the specified research questions and produce the specified deliverables. Methods should be credible and grounded in best practice. Alongside the methods proposed, bidders should provide their reasoning behind using it. Innovative approaches are welcome as long as their credibility and suitability can be demonstrated.  Outline approach to quality assurance for deliverables, including how scientific rigour and independent peer review will be embedded into the work under all research themes.  Bidders should explain clearly how they could build on other, on-going and related research efforts, both within the UK, and more widely to support the fulfilment of this requirement.  Strong answers will also seek external expertise, as well as engage internationally.
• 25%quality3. Skills, Resource and Expertise (4 pages total excluding cvs and Organogram)3a. Roles and Responsibilities Clearly assigned roles and responsibilities within the Project Team and between sub-contractors (if appropriate), and an appropriate allocation of resources for each task, with a clear and realistic plan for key roles in the event of staff loss. This should include details of how any skill and/or resource gaps that may emerge as the contract progresses will be addressed.  3b. Expertise 15% Demonstrating that the project team has the appropriate skills and expertise for the roles to which they have been assigned and can build on other, on-going and related research efforts, both within the UK and more widely. This will involve both transdisciplinary science and analytical skills, and science communication skills. Include a breakdown of the time spent by named individuals against specific work packages and themes.  Two-page CVs are required for the project manager and work package technical leads and any other key staff members. CVs should also indicate projects of a similar scale or complexity that the individuals have delivered or supported on.   Note, the CVs are outside of the page limit.
• 25%quality4. Project Plan, Management and Risk4a. Delivery Plan Submission of a clear, robust, and realistic delivery plan, including a legible Gantt Chart, detailing the delivery of key milestones, interdependencies and outputs to the contracting Authority.  Note, the Gantt Chart is outside of the page limit.  4b. Project Management Plan and Risk Management 15% Providing a clear and workable plan for overall project management with a focus on governance and coordination, including the management of any sub-contractors across contrasting academic disciplines, and engagement with stakeholders and data providers as well as the use of clear change control processes. This should include:  A clear statement on data management and handling  A statement on working arrangements including coordination and cooperation with DESNZ.   Explain the proposed approach for managing and administering the flexible fund from engagement for proposals, through to evaluation, selection, resourcing and delivery. A strong answer will address governance and demonstrate how specialist technical and research resource will be prioritised.  Bidders should explain what budget control measures they will put in place to manage costs and budget throughout delivery of the programme including both fixed price work packages and the flexible fund.  Bidders should identify key risks for the project and set out the steps that will be taken to manage and mitigate against them in a clear, comprehensive and realistic plan. Bidders should also set out how risks will be identified, assessed, prioritised, and monitored throughout the project. Note, the Risk Register is outside of the page limit.
• 10%quality5. Social Value (6 pages total)Describe the specific, measurable and time-bound commitment(s) your organisation will make to ensure that opportunities under the contract deliver Policy Outcome 3 in the Social Value Model2: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains, and the associated Model Award Criteria below.  Model Award Criterion MAC3A: “Create a diverse supply chain to deliver the contract including new businesses and entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals Including creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and helping new organisations to grow, supporting economic growth and business creation.”    Sub-Award Criteria: Your response may address, but is not limited to, the below sub-criteria:   Create value chains that enhance innovation, knowledge transfer and practical application of research outputs  Build collective knowledge on biomass research outcomes  Support the growth of skills and employment opportunities  Ensure knowledge on biomass research outcomes is made accessible and available  Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions    Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions    Plans for engaging a diverse range of businesses in engagement activities prior to appointing subcontractors (including activities prior to award of the main contract and during the contract term)    Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain. Illustrative examples: co-design and co-creation of services; collaborative performance management; appropriate commercial arrangements; inclusive working methods; and use of inclusive technology    Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees    Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and academic institutions;   Please include:     - your ‘Method Statement’, stating how you will achieve this and how your commitment meets the Award Criteria, and    - a timed project plan and process, including how you will implement your commitment and by when. Also, how you will monitor, measure and report on your commitments/the impact of your proposals. Suggested metrics include: - Direct spend with different organisation categories. - Number of organisations engaged and outreached to under the contract  - Number of created knowledge products under the contract - how you will influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support the Policy Outcome.    - at least one proposed KPI for Social Value which will be monitored alongside other contractual KPIs, in the same format as those identified in the Specification The response must demonstrate the specific additional commitments your organisation is making during the performance of the contract by deploying this scheme. If you are not in a position to commit to specific Social Value deliverables directly related to this contract award, then detail how your organisation at a corporate level seeks to deliver Social Value that aligns with the Themes and Model Award Criteria above. Please note that this would preclude you from being awarded top marks for this question and the maximum score to be awarded would be a 4.

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 13 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

4 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published33 days ago

   19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST
2. Clarification questions by19 days ago

   2 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
3. Submission deadlinein 22 days

   13 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
4. Award decision expected byin 60 days

   20 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

4 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender

1. Notice published14 Jan 2026, 12:53 GMT003086-2026
2. Notice published3 Mar 2026, 12:19 GMT018884-2026
3. Notice published24 Jul 2026, 15:49 BST070434-2026
4. Tender notice19 Aug 2026, 14:17 BST079042-2026

Documents

• Tender notice on Find a Tender