This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

20 Jul 2026 at 11:01

Tender

08 Apr 2026 at 14:02

Planning

20 Nov 2025 at 09:51

Summary of the contracting process

United Utilities Water Limited has concluded a procurement process for their "Lithium Trace Testing" contract, focusing on the non-intrusive assessment of tank capacity and sediment in Anaerobic Digesters. This contract falls under the industry category of Laboratory Services and is based in Warrington, United Kingdom, with a contract period extending from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2030, with potential renewals up to 2035. The completed procurement, awarded to NSI Water and Wastewater Solutions Ltd, involves a framework agreement with a competitive flexible procedure under a special regime for utilities. The associated contract is valued at £1.2 million for services rendered, with the award date noted as 20th July 2026. Key dates included a standstill period ending on 29th July 2026 and a future contract signature scheduled for 17th August 2026.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in laboratory services and the utilities sector, particularly those adept at managing complex environmental compliance and industrial emissions directives. Companies equipped with innovative methodologies for rapid and accurate lithium trace testing can leverage such contracts to expand their market presence and demonstrate their capability in addressing stringent environmental and pollution control standards. The framework duration of up to 9 years provides long-term engagement potential, making it particularly suitable for established enterprises looking to secure a stable income stream and build strong collaborative relationships with prominent private utility buyers like United Utilities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Lithium Trace Testing

Notice Description

The Bioresource and Energy Services team require non-intrusive tank capacity and sediment assessments of Anaerobic Digesters using Lithium chloride as a trace element to comply with Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 implementing the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) every 5 years, which takes an integrated approach to controlling pollution to air, water, and land from industrial activities. We require the supplier to develop methodology to determine the effective volume of an anaerobic digester over a short period of testing time. The effective volume should be calculated from the lithium concentration once it reaches a steady and consistent level. The calculation for effective volume should be based on the dose of lithium chloride added, the concentration of lithium, and the background concentration established before the test is initiated. The results of the data should establish the following, and be presented within a report: Mixing efficiency Hydraulic retention time (HRT) Short-circuiting or dead zones Sediment/grit accumulation The lithium chloride is to be dosed into each digester's feed line, or other suitable position. Prior to the dosing of lithium chloride, initial samples should be taken from each digester in order to establish the background lithium concentrations. Samples should be taken from designated sampling points, identified during a pre-test site visit.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0000

Renewal: Extension of up to a further 5 years.

Planning Information

If you have experience in this area please could you provide at a minimum the following information and submit to the United Utilities AMP8Procurements@uuplc.co.uk Mailbox - • Company Name • Contact details, including location telephone and e-mail address, main point of contact and position in Company

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e500
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068170-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,200,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
6 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
20 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NSI WATER AND WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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