Award

Water Regulator Reform

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Mar 2026 at 08:41

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has completed the award stage of the procurement process for the "Water Regulator Reform" consultancy project. The contract involves providing support for the design of the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the new integrated water regulator for England, with an emphasis on timely decision-making and costed pathways for transition. Classified under 'General management consultancy services', the project was initiated as a selective tender process, specifically as a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract, valued at £998,250, commenced on February 9, 2026, with a completion date of April 24, 2026. The consultancy work is set to impact regions including the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and various international territories.

This consultancy project offers significant opportunities for firms specialising in strategic management and operational design, particularly those with expertise in regulatory frameworks and public sector innovation. McKinsey & Company, Inc. United Kingdom, identified as the supplier, highlights an avenue for large-scale businesses capable of navigating complex regulatory environments and contributing to substantial government reforms. Although not suitable for SMEs or VCSEs, this tender can drive business growth for organisations adept in facilitating high-level consultancy efforts, especially those prepared to engage in shaping new regulatory landscapes within the public sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Water Regulator Reform

Notice Description

This engagement will provide targeted consultancy support to Defra to design the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the new integrated water regulator for England. The work will provide inputs to help inform timely Defra decision-making on the design of a coherent, implementable operating model. The engagement will support Defra in shaping early transition actions and a credible, costed pathway to standing up the new regulator (subject to passage of legislation), in readiness for the Price Review 2029.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-63cdaafa-623c-4c0d-b859-401ba32cac1a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3fea6e6e-4033-4399-a1ee-8bc9fbe68ec1
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79411000 - General management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£998,250 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£998,250 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
9 Feb 2026 - 24 Apr 2026 1-6 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
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
YO1 7PX
Post Town
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Guildhall
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MCKINSEY & COMPANY, INC. UNITED KINGDOM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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