CORE Education Trust – Electricity & Gas Fixed Supply Products 2026
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
It's not just about energy supply
When reviewing this tender, it's clear that the CORE Education Trust isn't merely looking for an energy supplier.
Yes, they're seeking someone to provide electricity and gas across multiple sites.
But the real focus here is on trust and reliability.
They're looking for a partner who can manage a "multi-site portfolio" efficiently and align with their "operational and environmental objectives."
This means it's not just about the mechanics of supply, but about how you fit into their bigger picture.
Think about the end users
The Trust's portfolio is diverse.
Each site will have its own unique energy demands.
If I were the buyer, I'd want to see how you plan to cater to these "varied consumption profiles" without compromising service quality.
It's not just about supplying energy—it's about understanding the needs of each site and the people who rely on that energy.
Pricing isn't the only game in town
Competitive pricing is mentioned, but it's not the only factor.
The Trust is also looking for "high-quality account management" and "robust and accurate billing."
If your bid only focuses on price, it might blend in with the others.
Make sure you highlight how your account management will make their lives easier and how you ensure billing accuracy.
Pay attention to what they say
The notice clearly states that a "proactive approach to risk management and sustainability" is crucial.
This isn't just a nice-to-have.
It's a priority.
Your submission should demonstrate how you identify and manage risks, and how your sustainability initiatives align with the Trust’s goals.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that many bidders made big promises.
What really stands out is evidence.
If I were writing this tender, I'd include:
- Case studies of similar multi-site contracts you've managed
- Examples of how you've improved sustainability for other clients
- Data showing your track record in accurate billing
Consistency matters over the long term
The contract value of £2,989,896 suggests a significant commitment.
This isn't about short-term gains.
I'd be looking for assurances that you can maintain service quality and account management over the entire term.
How do you handle staff turnover or unexpected disruptions?
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
The Trust is looking for more than just a supplier.
They're looking for a partner who understands their values and operational needs.
Every part of your submission should reflect how you will support their educational mission by ensuring energy reliability and sustainability.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on pricing without detailing account management
- Overlook the importance of sustainability in the proposal
- Fail to provide evidence of past performance
- Ignore the Trust's emphasis on risk management
- Assume a one-size-fits-all approach to multi-site management
- Lack clarity in how billing accuracy is achieved
- Offer generic rather than tailored solutions
- Neglect the Trust's operational and environmental objectives
My Final Thoughts
CORE Education Trust is seeking a partner who can provide reliable energy supplies while aligning with their broader goals.
The contract's value of £2,989,896 reflects its importance and the emphasis on quality and sustainability means your written submission carries significant weight.
Make sure your proposal speaks to their needs at every level, ensuring you're not just a supplier, but a trusted partner.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
Ready to decide whether this contract is worth bidding?
View the opportunity on Bid Trawler and access everything you need to make an informed decision, including the full tender information, direct access to the tender documents, the current supplier, who's winning similar contracts, who else may be bidding, buyer intelligence, our exclusive Inside View, your personalised Winnability Score and an AI-powered contract review.
View the Full Contract & Exclusive Inside View on Bid Trawler →About our "How to Win This Contract" guides
Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.