INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO SUPPORT ENERGY SAVING TRUST BUSINESS ENERGY SCOTLAND (BES)

The recently published Heat in Buildings strategy by the Scottish Government sets out a pathway to zero emissions buildings by 2045, Reducing emissions from non-domestic buildings remains a key focus for the Scottish Government and the strategy covers support for SME’s and non-domestic buildings particularly encouraging SME’s to take action and install energy improvement measures through an integrated package of advice, technical and financial support.
Business Energy Scotland (BES) provides free and impartial support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland to encourage the installation of energy efficiency, clean heating and other renewable technologies to realise the long-term benefits of carbon and cost savings. BES assists and supports SMEs with relevant, tailored, high-quality advice, acting as a catalyst and enabler of change towards a net zero Scotland.
Business Energy Scotland provides free advice and support to Scottish SMEs to save energy, carbon and money. It helps SMEs to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating in their premises to realise cost savings, protect profits and safeguard jobs. Since its launch in April 2023, BES has matured into a resilient, high-performing and impactful service that is responsive to the needs of SMEs in Scotland.
The service provides a range of in-depth and light support to SMEs based in Scotland and as acts as a gateway service for the Scottish Government’s SME loan and grant scheme (SME loan scheme), whilst also facilitating SMEs to access other funding opportunities from local authorities and regional funding providers.
The Scottish Government’s non-domestic advice service Business Energy Scotland (BES) sits alongside the current domestic advice service Home Energy Scotland (HES), creating a single point of initial contact for energy advice, both domestic and non-domestic. Both services are run by Energy Saving Trust.

The Framework Agreement is to commence on 6th of April 2026, ending on 31st March 2027 with contracts to be awarded for work at various points over the following 1-4 years subject to extensions.
Some work will be commissioned on a recurring basis, and other projects may be less frequent or one-off in nature.
The Service provides a range of in-depth support including:
- Written technical energy efficiency reports.
- Advice on energy saving required by client organisations on the cost-effective opportunities for saving money and reducing carbon.
- To meet the requirements of the service the framework contractor will deliver work at a single tier of consultancy support. Contractors are to provide generic energy saving support to organisations across Scotland, for which the level of competency required will generally be at a “Consultant” level”. Depending upon the nature of the opportunities contained in the work order and the complexity of the premises, some work orders may require additional time for the Contractor to compete the assessment and submit the energy saving report.
Support involves:
- Generic advice and support to organisations covering energy saving (energy saving, energy efficiency, low and zero emissions heating and other on-site renewable energy generation measures).
- Referrals to and information on other wider services provided by Energy Saving Trust in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government (including but not limited to the SME loan, support for employees through Home Energy Scotland and support on sustainable transport)
- Production of reports using standard templates recommending priorities for action and benefits available including reports to support applications to the SME loans programme which are managed by the Energy Saving Trust and funded by the Scottish Government.
- Provide indicative costings and investment requirements for any proposed changes using standard templates and provide outline details of potential sources of finance.
- General advice on legal compliance related to environmental regulations.
- Presentation of business case to senior management.
- Support on procurement.
- Advice on the benefits and methods for establishing effective measurement and reporting and EMS.
- Provide guidance on staff engagement, Green Teams and behaviour change.
- Develop and deliver short briefings and training to key staff members within client businesses.
- Provide details of support available through programmes run by Scottish Business Sustainability Partnership (SBSP) partners where appropriate in line with guidance provided by Energy Saving Trust.
- Provide ‘snagging’ advice by telephone and e-mail.
- The support delivered must conform with programme quality assurance and reporting arrangements. Additional information: All information is included in the attached documents.