Energy cost recovery services for schools

What this contract offers

To make this service easier for schools and trusts to access, the Department for Education have run a procurement centrally from Crown Commercial Service Framework RM6266, and appointed PCMG to deliver the validation of electricity and gas bills and carry out cost recovery services where errors are identified.

The contract aims to ensure that all schools across England can benefit from specialist contract compliance reviews, including the identification of payment errors and the potential recovery of funds.

Benefits

• quick and easy to sign up
• electricity and/or gas bill audits (up to 6 years retrospectively) and identification of billing and/or payment errors
• no cost to your organisation as the contract operates on a commission basis in the event of any cost recovery

How to access the contract

To access this contract, complete the online form.

On registration you will be issued a Letter of Engagement to complete and sign, formalising the agreement between you and the supplier and agreeing to the terms of the service.

You will also be required to sign a letter of authority to allow PCMG to engage directly with your current energy provider.

What happens next

• on completion of the letter of engagement and letter of authority, the supplier will gather the information required and undertake the analysis. This could take up to three months to complete
• when completed the analysis report will be sent to you
• all recommendations will only be actionable in the event you are happy to proceed and confirm this in writing (including any recoveries). In this event, the supplier will progress these on your behalf
• arrangements will be agreed for the return or crediting of identified funds and upon receipt, the supplier will invoice you requesting payment based on the terms agreed in the letter of engagement.

Alternatively, you can set up your own contract directly via Crown Commercial Service Debt Resolution Services RM6226 framework

All frameworks also offer:

• compliance with the relevant procurement regulations
• suppliers pre-checked by the approved framework provider
• pre-agreed terms and conditions

Provider: DfE

Expires: 31 May 2026