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Stage 2 of the Review of the Credit and Collateral Arrangements for the Business Retail Market

O F W A T

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Sep 2026 at 14:50

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ofwat commissioned specialist regulatory and policy consultancy for Stage 2 of its review of Credit and Collateral Arrangements in the Business Retail Market. The work supports development and publication of a decision on proposed changes following consultation. The supplier is required to analyse consultation responses, identify themes and evidence, assess policy options, develop and quality-assure quantitative modelling spreadsheets, consider implementation risks and unintended consequences, and help prepare final decision papers and supporting documents. The assignment also includes independent challenge, quality assurance of written outputs, and attendance at meetings and workshops. This is a business and management consultancy service (CPV 79400000), delivered for Ofwat across England and Wales. Ofwat retains responsibility for conclusions and policy choices.

The procurement has been awarded following a selective further competition and call-off from the Government Commercial Agency Management Consultancy Four Framework, MCF4 RM6309, Lot 4: Finance. Ofwat awarded the contract to Cubelynx Limited on 10 September 2026. The awarded value is £62,995 excluding VAT. The contract runs from 23 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The tender submission deadline was 4 September 2026 at 5pm. The requirement was classified as a services contract and marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The completed procurement had a total estimated value of £62,995. The award was made through the framework’s further-competition route, with the selected supplier appointed to provide the defined regulatory, policy, analytical and drafting support.

This requirement indicates demand for a consultancy able to combine UK regulatory and policy expertise with practical analytical delivery. A credible future supplier would need experience reviewing consultation responses, synthesising evidence and challenging emerging policy positions, ideally in a regulated or economically complex market. Capability in quantitative modelling using spreadsheets is central, including model development, testing and quality assurance, alongside the ability to assess implementation issues, risks and unintended consequences. Strong policy writing is also important: suppliers must be able to draft and review decision papers, governance materials and supporting documents to a high standard. The work suits an SME consultancy with a multidisciplinary team that can provide independent advice, structured analysis and workshop support through a framework-based competition.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Stage 2 of the Review of the Credit and Collateral Arrangements for the Business Retail Market

Notice Description

Further competition using Government Commercial Agency (GCA), Management Consultancy Four Framework (MCF4) (RM6309) Lot 4: Finance. Background As with many other sectors, the Business Retail Market is constituted such that Retailers can choose to 'pre-pay' or 'post-pay' Wholesalers for services. Whenever post-pay is used, there is the risk that a Retailer may default on payment for services they have already received from the Wholesaler. To mitigate the potential impact of this risk, a set of Credit and Collateral Arrangements (CCAs) were developed prior to market opening and are set out within the market codes which help govern and underpin the Business Retail Market. We are currently reviewing these CCA arrangements with a view to understanding if and where they are delivering for customers and the market, and if, and how recommendations for amendment or change may be warranted. We published in May 2026 a CCA Consultation which set out our initial proposals for change, including an accompanying supporting quantitative spreadsheet. We now wish to move to Stage 2 which is to develop and publish a Decision document on our proposed changes. Scope Ofwat is seeking external advice for stage 2 of its work on the review of the CCA review. The successful bidder will provide specialist regulatory and policy advice to assist Ofwat in developing final policy positions and preparing final decision materials following completion of the consultation process. Expert advice will include analysis of consultation responses; identification of key themes and evidence; assessment and evaluation of policy options; use, development and quality assurance of quantitative modelling spreadsheet(s); and help in drafting final decision papers and supporting materials. Ofwat will retain responsibility for reaching conclusions on consultation submissions and policy choices as set out in final decision documents and materials. The successful bidder will advise Ofwat by: * providing independent expert advice and challenge on emerging policy positions; * assisting with the development and refinement of policy options; * assist in developing and quality assuring and challenging quantitative modelling spreadsheet(s); * assessing implementation considerations, risks and unintended consequences associated with potential changes; * expert advice on the development of decision-making materials for internal governance; * drafting and reviewing final decision papers and supporting documents; * providing quality assurance of written outputs; and * attending project meetings and workshops as required. The project has commenced and advice is needed from September 2026 until the end of February 2027.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-3fdddf5e-5b8c-4833-a705-a28a6f4100fd
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f27b848d-bf86-4edf-9fbb-7e07cb043363
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£62,995 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£62,995 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
23 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
O F W A T
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B5 4UA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CubeLynx

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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