Tender

Lithium Trace Testing

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

08 Apr 2026 at 14:02

Planning

20 Nov 2025 at 09:51

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process being conducted by United Utilities Water Limited pertains to "Lithium Trace Testing," classified under laboratory services, with an active tender stage as of 8 April 2026. The procurement involves non-intrusive tank capacity and sediment assessment of Anaerobic Digesters using Lithium chloride, adhering to Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016. The contracting takes place at various anaerobic digestion facilities located in the North West of England. The open procurement method, specified as a Competitive flexible procedure, has a tender period ending on 22 June 2026, with an award period concluding by 15 July 2026. The contract value stands at £1,250,000 within a gross budget of £1,500,000, and the contract period spans from 22 July 2026 to 21 July 2030, with potential renewal extending up to 2035.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses operating in laboratory services, specifically those with capabilities in environmental compliance and industrial testing. The framework necessitates expertise in Lithium Trace Testing, offering a chance for companies to establish their methodologies for testing and generating compliance reports. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly well-suited to engage, given the qualification criteria outlined. With a strong focus on technical quality (weighted at 60%) alongside competitive pricing (40%), this contract may appeal to enterprises with innovative testing solutions and proficient reporting capabilities. The non-intrusive nature of the testing and the repetitive requirement every five years align well with firms looking to sustain their growth through long-term engagements in public utilities sectors.

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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/032023-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jun 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
6 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Jul 2026 - 21 Jul 2030 4-5 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
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

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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