Planning

PRO004988-Services-Framework-Liquor Sampling

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 15:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

United Utilities Water Limited, a prominent private utility company based in Warrington, UK, has initiated a procurement process for a Services Framework related to Liquor Sampling, with the industry category focused on laboratory services. Currently in the planning stage, this procurement process seeks services for the collection and refrigerated transportation of liquor samples for analysis as part of compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) permit requirements. The procurement is intended to commence in March 2026, extending over five years, with a more intensive sampling in the initial three months. Businesses interested in participating must submit the necessary information by 12th November 2025 as part of the planned market engagement.

This tender presents a significant business opportunity, especially for companies with expertise in laboratory services and those capable of refrigerated transportation handling. The framework agreement invites both established firms and SMEs, with a substantial budget allocated for the contract, approximately GBP 30 million, indicating the scope for sizable business growth. The contract involves ongoing sampling and analysis, providing continuous work and long-term collaboration opportunities for successful bidders. The procurement process anticipates comprehensive capabilities in handling various chemical pollutants, and businesses adept in laboratory analysis and logistics would be well-suited to compete for this contract.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

PRO004988-Services-Framework-Liquor Sampling

Notice Description

United Utilities (UU) require services to undertake the collection of liquor samples with refrigerated transportation from UU for analysis for Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) permit requirements. The IED sampling requirement is part of an improvement programme outlined within the newly issued permits to characterise any liquors returning to the head of a wastewater treatment works. It requires a large suite of determinands to be analysed including freshwater specific pollutants and priority hazardous substances and BAT conclusions (6 and 7). Samples must be transported in a refrigerated vehicle in accordance with ISO 5667 requirements. Upon collection of the samples, the results should be returned to the Laboratory within an agreed reasonable turnaround time, in an agreed reasonable format. The intention is that sampling will commence March 2026, and will be ongoing for 5 years. Based on the assumption that the first 3 months will be a more intensive sampling regime followed by a reduction in sampling frequency: Year 1: 588 samples Year 2: 336 samples Year 3: 336 samples Year 4: 336 samples Year 5: 336 samples The required determinands to be analysed are as follows: Determinands * 1,1,1-trichloroethane * 1,1,2-trichloroethane * 1,2-dichloro-ethane * 2,4-dichlorophenol * 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) * 2-chlorophenol * 3,4-dichloroaniline * 3-chlorophenol 4-chlorophenol (total or individual monochlorophenols) * 4-chloro-3-methylphenol * Abamectin * Aclonifen * Adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) * Alachlor * Ammonia (un-ionised) * Anthracene * Arsenic * Atrazine * Azinphos-methyl dissolved) * Bentazone * Benzene * Benzo(a)-pyrene (BaP) (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(b)-fluor-anthene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(k)-fluor-anthene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzyl butyl phthalate * Bifenox (Methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate) * Biphenyl * Boron * Brominated diphenylether - total PBDE (or congener) numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154 * Bromine (total residual oxidant) * Bromoxynil * C10-13 chloroalkanes * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 100mg to less than 200mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 200mg or more * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 40mg to less than 50mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 50mg to less than 100mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness less than 40 milligrams * Carbendazim * Carbon tetrachloride * Chemical oxygen demand * Chlorfenvinphos * Chloride * Chlorine (total residual oxidant) * Chloronitro toluenes * Chlorothalonil * Chlorotoluron * Chlorpropham * Chlorpyrifos (chlorpyrifos-ethyl) * Chromium (III) (dissolved) * Chromium (VI) (dissolved) * Cobalt (dissolved) * Copper (dissolved) * Coumaphos * Cyanide * Cybutryne * Cyclodiene pesticides - total aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and isodrin * Cyfluthrin * Cypermethrin * DDT total * Demetons * Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) * Diazinon (sheep dip) * Dibutyl phthalate * Dichlorobenzene (total dichlorobenzene isomers) * Dichloro-methane * Dichlorvos * Dicofol * Diethyl phthalate * Diflubenzuron * Dimethoate * Dimethyl phthalate * Dioctyl phthalate * Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds * Diuron * Doramectin * EDTA * Endosulphan * Ethylbenzene * Fenchlorphos * Fenitrothion * Flucofuron * Fluoranthene * Fluoride - (dissolved) (more than 50mg/l of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Fluoride (dissolved) (less than 50 milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Formaldehyde * Free cyanide * Glyphosate * Heptachlor & heptachlor epoxide * Hexabromocyclo-dodecane (HBCDD) * Hexachloro-benzene * Hexachloro-butadiene * Hexachloro-cyclohexane * Hydrocarbon oil index (HOI) * Hydrogen sulphide * Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Ioxynil * Iron (dissolved) * Isoproturon * Ivermectin * Lead and its compounds - (dissolved) * Linuron * Malachite green * Malathion * Mancozeb * Maneb * Manganese * MCPA (pH level higher than 7) * MCPA (pH level less than 7) * Mecoprop * Mercury and its compounds - (dissolved) * Methiocarb * Mevinphos * Naphthalene * Nickel and its compounds - (dissolved) * Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) * Nonylphenol (4-nonylphenol) * Octylphenol (4-(1,1',3,3'-tetramethyl-butyl)-phenol) * Omethoate * Para-para-DDT * PCSDs * Pendimethalin * Pentachloro-benzene * Pentachloro-phenol * Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its salts (PFOS) * Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) * Permethrin * pH * Phenol * Phenol index * Pirimicarb * Pirimiphos-methyl * Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) - Benzo(a)-pyrene (BaP), Benzo(b)-fluor-anthene, Benzo(k)-fluor-anthene, Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene and Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene. Benzo(a)pyrene can be considered as a marker for the other PAHs, hence only benzo(a)pyrene needs to be monitored for comparison with the biota EQS or the corresponding AA-EQS in water * Prochloraz * Propetamphos * Propyzamide * Quinoxyfen * Silver - (dissolved) * Simazine * Styrene * Sulcofuron * Sulphate * Tecnazene - total * Terbutryn * Tetrachloroethane * Tetrachloro-ethylene * Thiabendazole * Tin (inorganic) (total) * Toluene * Total anions * Total nitrogen * Total organic carbon * Total Phosphorous * Total suspended solids * Triallate * Triazaphos * Tributyl phosphate * Tributyltin compounds (tributyltin-cation) * Trichloro-benzenes * Trichloro-ethylene * Tricholoro-methane (chloroform) * Triclosan * Trifluralin * Triphenyltin and derivatives * Vanadium (0-200mg/l of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Vanadium (more than 200mg/l calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Xylene (m,p) * Xylene (o) * Xylene (sum) * Zinc - (dissolved) (plus ambient background concentration) * Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene (BTEX)

Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99484&B= If you have experience in this area please could you provide at a minimum the following information and submit to the United Utilities AMP8 mail box - amp8procurements@uuplc.co.uk: • Company Name • Contact details, including location telephone and e-mail address, main point of contact and position in Company

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d580
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069064-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2026 - 31 May 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED
Contact Name
Jennifer Pike
Contact Email
amp8procurements@uuplc.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA5 3LP
Post Town
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall
Westminster Constituency
Warrington South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d580-2025-10-28T15:30:34Z",
    "date": "2025-10-28T15:30:34Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d580",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVVB-5589-BWHX",
            "name": "United Utilities Water Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVVB-5589-BWHX"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Lingley Mere Business Park",
                "locality": "Warrington",
                "postalCode": "WA5 3LP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD61"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Jennifer Pike",
                "email": "amp8procurements@uuplc.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.unitedutilities.com",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "privateUtility",
                        "description": "Private utility"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVVB-5589-BWHX",
        "name": "United Utilities Water Limited"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99484&B= If you have experience in this area please could you provide at a minimum the following information and submit to the United Utilities AMP8 mail box - amp8procurements@uuplc.co.uk: * Company Name * Contact details, including location telephone and e-mail address, main point of contact and position in Company",
                "dueDate": "2025-11-12T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "069064-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069064-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-28T15:30:34Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "PRO004988",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "PRO004988-Services-Framework-Liquor Sampling",
        "description": "United Utilities (UU) require services to undertake the collection of liquor samples with refrigerated transportation from UU for analysis for Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) permit requirements. The IED sampling requirement is part of an improvement programme outlined within the newly issued permits to characterise any liquors returning to the head of a wastewater treatment works. It requires a large suite of determinands to be analysed including freshwater specific pollutants and priority hazardous substances and BAT conclusions (6 and 7). Samples must be transported in a refrigerated vehicle in accordance with ISO 5667 requirements. Upon collection of the samples, the results should be returned to the Laboratory within an agreed reasonable turnaround time, in an agreed reasonable format. The intention is that sampling will commence March 2026, and will be ongoing for 5 years. Based on the assumption that the first 3 months will be a more intensive sampling regime followed by a reduction in sampling frequency: Year 1: 588 samples Year 2: 336 samples Year 3: 336 samples Year 4: 336 samples Year 5: 336 samples The required determinands to be analysed are as follows: Determinands * 1,1,1-trichloroethane * 1,1,2-trichloroethane * 1,2-dichloro-ethane * 2,4-dichlorophenol * 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) * 2-chlorophenol * 3,4-dichloroaniline * 3-chlorophenol 4-chlorophenol (total or individual monochlorophenols) * 4-chloro-3-methylphenol * Abamectin * Aclonifen * Adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) * Alachlor * Ammonia (un-ionised) * Anthracene * Arsenic * Atrazine * Azinphos-methyl dissolved) * Bentazone * Benzene * Benzo(a)-pyrene (BaP) (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(b)-fluor-anthene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzo(k)-fluor-anthene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Benzyl butyl phthalate * Bifenox (Methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate) * Biphenyl * Boron * Brominated diphenylether - total PBDE (or congener) numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154 * Bromine (total residual oxidant) * Bromoxynil * C10-13 chloroalkanes * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 100mg to less than 200mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 200mg or more * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 40mg to less than 50mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness 50mg to less than 100mg * Cadmium and its compounds (dissolved) water hardness less than 40 milligrams * Carbendazim * Carbon tetrachloride * Chemical oxygen demand * Chlorfenvinphos * Chloride * Chlorine (total residual oxidant) * Chloronitro toluenes * Chlorothalonil * Chlorotoluron * Chlorpropham * Chlorpyrifos (chlorpyrifos-ethyl) * Chromium (III) (dissolved) * Chromium (VI) (dissolved) * Cobalt (dissolved) * Copper (dissolved) * Coumaphos * Cyanide * Cybutryne * Cyclodiene pesticides - total aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and isodrin * Cyfluthrin * Cypermethrin * DDT total * Demetons * Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) * Diazinon (sheep dip) * Dibutyl phthalate * Dichlorobenzene (total dichlorobenzene isomers) * Dichloro-methane * Dichlorvos * Dicofol * Diethyl phthalate * Diflubenzuron * Dimethoate * Dimethyl phthalate * Dioctyl phthalate * Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds * Diuron * Doramectin * EDTA * Endosulphan * Ethylbenzene * Fenchlorphos * Fenitrothion * Flucofuron * Fluoranthene * Fluoride - (dissolved) (more than 50mg/l of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Fluoride (dissolved) (less than 50 milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Formaldehyde * Free cyanide * Glyphosate * Heptachlor & heptachlor epoxide * Hexabromocyclo-dodecane (HBCDD) * Hexachloro-benzene * Hexachloro-butadiene * Hexachloro-cyclohexane * Hydrocarbon oil index (HOI) * Hydrogen sulphide * Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene (see PAHs below for AA and biota EQS) * Ioxynil * Iron (dissolved) * Isoproturon * Ivermectin * Lead and its compounds - (dissolved) * Linuron * Malachite green * Malathion * Mancozeb * Maneb * Manganese * MCPA (pH level higher than 7) * MCPA (pH level less than 7) * Mecoprop * Mercury and its compounds - (dissolved) * Methiocarb * Mevinphos * Naphthalene * Nickel and its compounds - (dissolved) * Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) * Nonylphenol (4-nonylphenol) * Octylphenol (4-(1,1',3,3'-tetramethyl-butyl)-phenol) * Omethoate * Para-para-DDT * PCSDs * Pendimethalin * Pentachloro-benzene * Pentachloro-phenol * Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its salts (PFOS) * Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) * Permethrin * pH * Phenol * Phenol index * Pirimicarb * Pirimiphos-methyl * Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) - Benzo(a)-pyrene (BaP), Benzo(b)-fluor-anthene, Benzo(k)-fluor-anthene, Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene and Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene. Benzo(a)pyrene can be considered as a marker for the other PAHs, hence only benzo(a)pyrene needs to be monitored for comparison with the biota EQS or the corresponding AA-EQS in water * Prochloraz * Propetamphos * Propyzamide * Quinoxyfen * Silver - (dissolved) * Simazine * Styrene * Sulcofuron * Sulphate * Tecnazene - total * Terbutryn * Tetrachloroethane * Tetrachloro-ethylene * Thiabendazole * Tin (inorganic) (total) * Toluene * Total anions * Total nitrogen * Total organic carbon * Total Phosphorous * Total suspended solids * Triallate * Triazaphos * Tributyl phosphate * Tributyltin compounds (tributyltin-cation) * Trichloro-benzenes * Trichloro-ethylene * Tricholoro-methane (chloroform) * Triclosan * Trifluralin * Triphenyltin and derivatives * Vanadium (0-200mg/l of calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Vanadium (more than 200mg/l calcium carbonate per litre of water (mg/l)) * Xylene (m,p) * Xylene (o) * Xylene (sum) * Zinc - (dissolved) (plus ambient background concentration) * Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene (BTEX)",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "LOT-0000",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "description": "Laboratory services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "LOT-0000"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 30000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "utilities"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "LOT-0000",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2031-05-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2036-05-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-01-05T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}