In our role as Electricity System Operator (ESO), we balance generation and demand in real time. When demand is low, there may be a requirement for additional flexibility to balance generation and demand, as well as to achieve sufficient negative reserve and high frequency response. Restrictions associated with COVID-19 are likely to present lower demand periods for longer durations this summer than we have seen in the past. To help manage these changing system conditions we have implemented an Optional Downward Flexibility Management (ODFM) Service across the summer period. Optional Downward Flexibility Management (ODFM) is a service which allows the ESO to access downward flexibility that is not currently accessible in real time and expand our ability to control output from providers we cannot currently access through the Balancing Mechanism and the Platform for Ancillary Services. The documents in this dataset outline the contractual terms and associated templates. We shall also publish occasional market information here relating to requirements and market reports. > **Note: You can find market information reports and results for the ODFM service [here](https://data.nationalgrideso.com/ancillary-services/optional-downward-flexibility-management-odfm-market-information)**