Award

Strategic Review of Major Project Procurement Models to Align with Frontier Shift Efficiency Ambitions of Ofwat in the New Legislative Landscape

THE WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Feb 2026 at 17:45

Summary of the contracting process

The Water Services Regulation Authority, a central government public authority based in Birmingham, completed a procurement process titled "Strategic Review of Major Project Procurement Models to Align with Frontier Shift Efficiency Ambitions of Ofwat in the New Legislative Landscape". The procurement, categorised under business and management consultancy services, was conducted using a direct procurement method without competition. The contract was awarded to Black Pear Advisory Ltd, an SME located in Norton Worcester. The procurement process consisted of several phases, including a detailed 'As-Is' analysis, 'To-Be' framework definition, and a gap analysis with action plan formulation. The contract commenced on 22nd December 2025 and is expected to conclude on 31st March 2026, with a potential extension under the Procurement Act 2023 regulations. The total contract value was GBP 40,500, with the possibility to extend up to 50% of the original value.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities for consulting firms specialising in strategic procurement, legislative compliance, and data management within the utilities sector. It is particularly appropriate for SMEs capable of providing innovative solutions to complex procurement models, aligning with organisational goals for efficiency, accountability, and social value. Businesses focusing on integrating digital data tools for performance monitoring and enhancing asset performance would find this opportunity beneficial. This contract illustrates Ofwat's commitment to aligning its procurement processes with contemporary legislative requirements and industry best practices, presenting a substantial development opportunity for consultancy firms operating in related services. The geographical reach of the award spans various UK regions, underscoring the potential for engagement with diverse and broad-based operational insights.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Strategic Review of Major Project Procurement Models to Align with Frontier Shift Efficiency Ambitions of Ofwat in the New Legislative Landscape

Notice Description

Phase 1: 'As-Is' Analysis (5 days) Undertake a detailed diagnostic review of the two major project procurement contract documents provided by Ofwat, including the Thames Tideway model. The analysis will map the existing contractual provisions against key metrics, including: * Incentivisation of collaborative behaviours and innovation. * Risk allocation and dispute resolution mechanisms. * Competence of duty holders. * Data management, performance monitoring, and data recovery requirements. * Alignment with social value and wider public benefit objectives. * Compliance with the new legislative landscape. Phase 2: 'To-Be' Framework Definition (5 days) Drawing on expertise and targeted research, define best-in-class 'to-be' procurement wording. This wording will be synthesised from current UK industry practice and thought leadership, focusing on achieving Ofwat's strategic goals for: * Accountability & Productivity: Incorporating principles from Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to align commercial interests and drive efficiency. * Value for Money & Asset Performance: Defining mechanisms for establishing a 'digital data truth' through Common Data Environments (CDEs) and the 'golden thread' concept, enabling robust, whole-life asset performance monitoring. * Social Value: Embedding the Procurement Act's shift to 'Most Advantageous Tender' to ensure competency and social value are a measurable and managed outcome. * Legislative Compliance: Ensuring the framework is fully aligned with the specific requirements of the PA2023, ECCTA, and BSA. Phase 3: Gap Analysis & Action Plan Formulation (20 days) In the final phase, bring the findings together to provide Ofwat with a clear path forward. * Conduct a systematic comparison of the 'as-is' analysis with the 'to-be' framework, producing a detailed gap analysis that highlights areas of misalignment and opportunity. * From this, develop a pragmatic and prioritised set of recommended actionable terms for use with NEC4. This will provide Ofwat with a set of usable terms to bridge the gap between the current state and the desired future-ready model. * These terms will be the subject of 2 x 1 day workshops facilitated to reflect Ofwat and industry consultation.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064aac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011184-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£40,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
22 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@ofwat.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B5 4UA
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BLACK PEAR ADVISORY

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-064aac-2026-02-06T17:45:54Z",
    "date": "2026-02-06T17:45:54Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-064aac",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PPCX-7855-VXBT",
            "name": "The Water Services Regulation Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PPCX-7855-VXBT"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Ofwat, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B5 4UA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@ofwat.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-173853",
            "name": "Black Pear Advisory Ltd",
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "The Old Barn Hatfield",
                "locality": "Norton Worcester",
                "postalCode": "WR5 2PZ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKG12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@ofwat.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.blackpearadvisory.com/",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PPCX-7855-VXBT",
        "name": "The Water Services Regulation Authority"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "PROC.0227",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Strategic Review of Major Project Procurement Models to Align with Frontier Shift Efficiency Ambitions of Ofwat in the New Legislative Landscape",
        "description": "Phase 1: 'As-Is' Analysis (5 days) Undertake a detailed diagnostic review of the two major project procurement contract documents provided by Ofwat, including the Thames Tideway model. The analysis will map the existing contractual provisions against key metrics, including: * Incentivisation of collaborative behaviours and innovation. * Risk allocation and dispute resolution mechanisms. * Competence of duty holders. * Data management, performance monitoring, and data recovery requirements. * Alignment with social value and wider public benefit objectives. * Compliance with the new legislative landscape. Phase 2: 'To-Be' Framework Definition (5 days) Drawing on expertise and targeted research, define best-in-class 'to-be' procurement wording. This wording will be synthesised from current UK industry practice and thought leadership, focusing on achieving Ofwat's strategic goals for: * Accountability & Productivity: Incorporating principles from Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to align commercial interests and drive efficiency. * Value for Money & Asset Performance: Defining mechanisms for establishing a 'digital data truth' through Common Data Environments (CDEs) and the 'golden thread' concept, enabling robust, whole-life asset performance monitoring. * Social Value: Embedding the Procurement Act's shift to 'Most Advantageous Tender' to ensure competency and social value are a measurable and managed outcome. * Legislative Compliance: Ensuring the framework is fully aligned with the specific requirements of the PA2023, ECCTA, and BSA. Phase 3: Gap Analysis & Action Plan Formulation (20 days) In the final phase, bring the findings together to provide Ofwat with a clear path forward. * Conduct a systematic comparison of the 'as-is' analysis with the 'to-be' framework, producing a detailed gap analysis that highlights areas of misalignment and opportunity. * From this, develop a pragmatic and prioritised set of recommended actionable terms for use with NEC4. This will provide Ofwat with a set of usable terms to bridge the gap between the current state and the desired future-ready model. * These terms will be the subject of 2 x 1 day workshops facilitated to reflect Ofwat and industry consultation.",
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - without competition",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-173853",
                    "name": "Black Pear Advisory Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "79400000",
                            "description": "Business and management consultancy and related services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKC",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKD",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKE",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKF",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKG",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKH",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKI",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKJ",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2025-12-22T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2026-05-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "The contracting authority reserves the right to extend [or modify] the Agreement by contract duration and/or contract cap up to an additional 50% of the original value under the conditions set out in Regulations 74(1)(c) and 74(4)(b) (meaning of 'below-threshold modification') of the Procurement Act 2023. Estimated extension end date provided but may not be taken up."
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 48600,
                "amount": 40500,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": false,
            "dateSigned": "2025-12-16T00:00:00Z",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "011184-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011184-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-02-06T17:45:54Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}