Planning

Market Engagement - Robots for Difficult to Access Assets

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

03 Feb 2026 at 19:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Feb 2026 at 19:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

United Utilities Water Limited is currently in the market engagement stage for a project titled "Market Engagement - Robots for Difficult to Access Assets". This procurement process is classified under the goods category and focuses on industrial robots within the utilities sector. The buyer is located in Great Sankey, United Kingdom, with Harry East being the contact point. Key geographical areas for this procurement are within the UKD region. A milestone due date is set for 3rd March 2026, by which interested parties should express their interest via email to Harry.east@uuplc.co.uk to receive the question set necessary for registration. This initiative is aimed at identifying providers capable of delivering robotic inspection services for challenging environments such as pipe bridges, subway crossings, and sites requiring scaffolding.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in robotics, particularly those focused on industrial or utility applications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with capabilities in innovative inspection solutions, including drone technology and advanced robotics, will find this contract beneficial for growth. Given the specialised nature of the services required, companies with experience in safety-driven inspection processes, especially those adept at working at heights or in constrained environments, are well-suited to compete. The engagement process will allow businesses to showcase their cutting-edge technologies and potentially secure a foothold in a sector keen on adopting innovative inspection methods. The contract period is projected to run from September 2026 to September 2027, offering a year-long business opportunity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Market Engagement - Robots for Difficult to Access Assets

Notice Description

United Utilities are looking to engage the market to understand who has capabilities of providing robotic inspection services. Current inspection process requires visual inspection and may include working at height. We are actively exploring innovative ways of carrying out these inspections that ensures safety and gather quality data to assess asset condition. The areas we are interested in are pipe bridges, subway crossings, DSEAR assets and assets that would require scaffolding for inspection.

Planning Information

Contact via email at Harry.east@uuplc.co.uk to register interest and you shall be provided a copy of the question set for completion.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0615f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009705-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

42997300 - Industrial robots

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2027 1-2 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
Harry East
Contact Email
harry.east@uuplc.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GREAT SANKEY
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

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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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