Tender

High Court Enforcement Services

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER GROUP LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

22 Jan 2024 at 11:55

Summary of the contracting process

The Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) is inviting established companies to submit proposals for the issuance of High Court Writs. This tender falls under the services category with a focus on collection agency services. NWG aims to issue 3 to 4,000 writs annually, targeting domestic/household customers with water service charges debt. The procurement process is currently in the Tender stage, with a submission deadline of 8th February 2024 for expressions of interest, and a deadline of 12th February 2024 for the completed Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ).

This tender by NWG presents an opportunity for businesses experienced in handling utility debt at a bulk level and with knowledge of the Water Industry and its regulatory obligations. Interested companies must be able to provide efficient bulk transfer to the High Court and demonstrate compliance with Data Protection Regulations. The contract, starting in September 2024 for three years, offers opportunities for business growth mainly to enforcement agencies with experience in the water industry and utility debt handling on a large scale.

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Notice Title

High Court Enforcement Services

Notice Description

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG), operating as Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL) and Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW), invites established companies to submit proposals for the issuance of High Court Writs. We have an aspirational target to issue 3 to 4,000 writs annually, however this is influenced by the external economic climate and customers circumstances. Volumes over the last two years have been as follows; - 2021/22 issued 4120 - 2022/23 issued 2500 These writs are generated from County Court Judgments through Civil national Business Centre The average writ value is PS1,100 - PS1,300, targeting domestic/household customers with water service charges debt, and a potential small number of non-household/commercial debts. NWL mandates that all prospective bidders for this Contract must be members of the Enforcement Conduct board.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG), operating as Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL) and Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW), invites established companies to submit proposals for the issuance of High Court Writs. We have an aspirational target to issue 3 to 4,000 writs annually, however this is influenced by the external economic climate and customers circumstances. Volumes over the last two years have been as follows; - 2021/22 issued 4120 - 2022/23 issued 2500 These writs are generated from County Court Judgments through Civil national Business Centre The average writ value is PS1,100 - PS1,300, targeting domestic/household customers with water service charges debt, and a potential small number of non-household/commercial debts. Contract Details NWL are looking to Contract with a maximum of three suppliers. We are offering a 3-year contract with the intended commencement in September 2024, subject to an initial trial period. The contract may be extended based on performance. The volume of batches will vary due to cyclical billing, with any batch exceeding 500 agreed upon in advance with successful Processor(s) Pre-Writ Activity and Customer Engagement Interested bidders must demonstrate the ability to carry out pre-writ activity, including residency checks and customer communication, providing an opportunity for engagement and payment without incurring fees. All debt has undergone a rigorous internal lettering process, with checks to exclude known vulnerable and absconded Judgment debtors by NWG prior to being issued for enforcement. Compliance and Data Protection Potential bidders must comply with our standard Service Level Agreement, Data Processing Agreement, and submit their Data Journey to ensure compliance with Data Protection Regulations. Flexibility in fees and interest forbearance, bespoke reporting (template can be provided), and adherence to a vulnerability policy, including the Debt Respite Scheme, are mandatory. NWL mandates that all prospective bidders for this Contract must be members of the Enforcement Conduct board. Essential Attributes Interested bidders must possess the following essential attributes: - Efficient bulk transfer process to the High Court - Background in handling utility debt on a bulk basis - Knowledge of the Water Industry and its regulatory obligations - Ability to provide two references with current success rates, one from a water or utility company. - Back-office support for instalment payment facilities and maintenance of payment arrangements Wide-ranging opening hours and suitably trained agents - Client visibility through real-time communication via an online portal - Adherence to vulnerability policies, with emphasis on mental health issues - Flexibility during the compliance period on offers from Judgment debtors. - Variability and flexibility of High Court Officer visits - Clear and timely invoicing strategy, including separation of writ, abortive, incoming payments, and VAT. - Willingness to upskill on Client support schemes and actively promote them. - Actively collate and record appropriate permissions where applicable to support the client's Priority Services Register

Options: The initial contract term will run from 01/09/2024 for three years to 31/08/2027. The option will be available to extend the Contract from a further two years to 31/08/2029. The total maximum duration of the Contract being five years

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-042edc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002066-2024
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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


CPV Codes

75242110 - Bailiff services

79940000 - Collection agency services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jan 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
8 Feb 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2024 - 31 Aug 2029 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER GROUP LIMITED
Contact Name
Laura McMain
Contact Email
laura.mcmain@nwl.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 7805786518

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5FJ
Post Town
Durham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)

Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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