PS25220 - RAF014/2526 - Evaluation of the Retrofit Devolution Program

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded following a mini competition under the Crown Commercial Service RM6126 Research & Insights DPS Brief Description of Requirement This project is a process and outcome evaluation of the Retrofit Pillar of the Integrated Settlement, a new delivery and funding model which aims to improve the energy performance of England's domestic and public sector buildings by giving more power and responsibility to local areas, through dispersing funds via Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs). The evaluation will involve case studies with the two areas involved in the first phase of the Integrated Settlement, combining secondary and primary data collection and analysis. It will be a rapidly delivered project from October 2025 to March 2027, with data collection and analysis focused on delivery and implementation issues, with some early exploration of longer-term perceived outcomes. The overall aim is to therefore evaluate the delivery of this programme and assess how successful it has been in working towards its policy objectives and expected outcomes. Specifically, the evaluation aims to: 1. Understand the benefits and challenges of a devolved retrofit model for MSAs, Social Housing Landlords (SHLs), LAs, public sector organisations, and wider stakeholders (e.g. businesses, community groups). 2. Provide insights into the unique local delivery arrangements in Greater Manchester and West Midlands to build understanding of how local governance may have affected the success or otherwise of the Retrofit Pillar. 3. Improve the design and delivery of future devolved retrofit funding by evidencing the experiences of MSAs, LAs and SHLs, and public sector organisations. 4. Explore issues around early implementation to inform the set-up of future waves of devolved funding. to enable findings will also be used to support rollout to the additional regions as part of the second phase of integrated settlements. Data collection and analysis will focus on delivery and implementation issues, with some early exploration of longer-term perceived outcomes.