Tender

Trunk Mains AMP8 Roll Out: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Fibre Sensing Solution

THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

12 Mar 2026 at 08:18

Tender

09 Feb 2026 at 16:55

Summary of the contracting process

Thames Water Utilities Limited invites potential service providers to partake in a procurement process for the "Trunk Mains AMP8 Roll Out: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Fibre Sensing Solution." The procurement aims to enhance detection of leaks and bursts across Thames Water's extensive trunk mains network. This initiative leverages DAS technology to provide near-total coverage, converting fibre optic cables into acoustic sensors for real-time monitoring. The project addresses the industry's growing need for robust monitoring solutions to mitigate water loss and infrastructure failure. With a gross value of £8,400,000, the procurement is categorised under the 'services' sector, with primary classifications in 'Sensors' and 'Telephone network maintenance services.' The procurement follows a 'Competitive Flexible Procedure' under the 'Utilities Contracts Regulations,' emphasising supplier selection through a Pre Selection Questionnaire (PSQ). The deadline for PSQ submissions is set for 19 March 2026, at 10 am, while the contract is expected to be awarded by June 2026. The project will cover regions within the United Kingdom, specifically UKI and UKJ.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in sensor technology, telecommunications, and infrastructure solutions. By addressing the critical needs of Thames Water's network, qualifying companies can gain a foothold in the utilities sector and expand their reach in public infrastructure contracts. Ideal candidates are those who can offer scalable, cost-effective solutions with a strong focus on integration with existing systems and future-proof capabilities in predictive maintenance and leakage reduction. Additionally, the opportunity supports long-term relationships, as the initial contract term spans three years, with extensions possible up to 2034. Businesses with expertise in system integration, data management, and forward-looking maintenance practices are particularly well-positioned to benefit from this partnership, offering them a platform for growth and innovation within a major utility framework.

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

Notice Title

Trunk Mains AMP8 Roll Out: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Fibre Sensing Solution

Notice Description

Thames Water is seeking to significantly improve its ability to detect leakage and bursts across its trunk mains network, where current monitoring coverage remains limited. This lack of visibility restricts early detection and response, increasing the risk of water loss, asset failure, and service disruption. To address this, Thames Water intends to roll out a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) fibre sensing solution, with the ambition of achieving near-100% coverage across its trunk mains estate. DAS technology offers the potential to transform network monitoring by converting fibre optic cables into thousands of acoustic sensors, enabling continuous, real-time detection of leaks, bursts, and third-party interference over long distances. The solution must be scalable, cost-effective, and capable of integrating with Thames Water's existing systems and operational workflows. Thames Water is interested in identifying potential service providers who can propose solutions that directly address this challenge. Providers will need to demonstrate how their approach will deliver reliable coverage, actionable insights, and long-term value. Key considerations include deployment strategy, data quality, system integration, and support for future enhancements in predictive maintenance and leakage reduction. The successful partner(s) will play a critical role in helping Thames Water achieve its strategic goal of near-total trunk main monitoring coverage through fibre sensing. Thames Water reserves the right to refine the award criteria. Please note that that deadline for asking for access to the PSQ & submitting of the PSQ is Thursday 19 March at 10 am.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Thames Water reserves the right to: * Extend the contract beyond the initial 2 year term through one or more extension periods, up to a maximum contract end date of 30 June 2034. * Procure additional quantities of the DAS fibre sensing solution, associated hardware, software licences, analytics modules, and related support services where these are consistent with the scope and purpose of the original contract. * Implement further deployments across additional trunk main routes as operational priorities evolve, subject to the overall contract value and term limits.

Renewal: Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 3 years with options to extend by 1 year or longer, up to a maximum overall term of 8 years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064baa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022095-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

35125100 - Sensors

50334110 - Telephone network maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£7,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2031 Over 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
THAMES WATER UTILITIES 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
READING
Postcode
RG1 8DB
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLI London, TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Reading
Electoral Ward
Thames
Westminster Constituency
Reading Central

Further Information

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-064baa-2026-03-12T08:18:35Z",
    "date": "2026-03-12T08:18:35Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-064baa",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-02366661",
            "name": "THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "02366661"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PNQQ-4647-DTCV"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Clearwater Court",
                "locality": "Reading",
                "postalCode": "RG1 8DB",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ11"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement.support.centre@thameswater.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "privateUtility",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Private utility"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-02366661",
        "name": "THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "TC2407",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Trunk Mains AMP8 Roll Out: Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Fibre Sensing Solution",
        "description": "Thames Water is seeking to significantly improve its ability to detect leakage and bursts across its trunk mains network, where current monitoring coverage remains limited. This lack of visibility restricts early detection and response, increasing the risk of water loss, asset failure, and service disruption. To address this, Thames Water intends to roll out a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) fibre sensing solution, with the ambition of achieving near-100% coverage across its trunk mains estate. DAS technology offers the potential to transform network monitoring by converting fibre optic cables into thousands of acoustic sensors, enabling continuous, real-time detection of leaks, bursts, and third-party interference over long distances. The solution must be scalable, cost-effective, and capable of integrating with Thames Water's existing systems and operational workflows. Thames Water is interested in identifying potential service providers who can propose solutions that directly address this challenge. Providers will need to demonstrate how their approach will deliver reliable coverage, actionable insights, and long-term value. Key considerations include deployment strategy, data quality, system integration, and support for future enhancements in predictive maintenance and leakage reduction. The successful partner(s) will play a critical role in helping Thames Water achieve its strategic goal of near-total trunk main monitoring coverage through fibre sensing. Thames Water reserves the right to refine the award criteria. Please note that that deadline for asking for access to the PSQ & submitting of the PSQ is Thursday 19 March at 10 am.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "35125100",
                        "description": "Sensors"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50334110",
                        "description": "Telephone network maintenance services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 8400000,
            "amount": 7000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procedure": {
            "features": "This procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Utilities Contracts Regulations. Following publication of this notice, suppliers will be invited to complete a Pre Selection Questionnaire (PSQ). The PSQ will assess legal, financial, and technical capability against the stated conditions of participation. After evaluation of PSQ submissions, Thames Water will shortlist suppliers to participate in the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) stage. The ITN is expected to commence in March 2026. Shortlisted suppliers will be required to submit detailed technical and commercial proposals. Thames Water may invite suppliers to present their proposed solution to stakeholders to support clarification of their ITN responses. Following evaluation of ITN submissions and presentations, Thames Water intends to complete supplier selection by June 2026."
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "utilities"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "To gain access to this PSQ, please fill out the details in for link; https://forms.office.com/e/jNb2QYbbZN",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2026-03-19T10:00:00Z",
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-02-23T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 8400000,
                    "amount": 7000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical - Functionality of proposed solution",
                            "description": "Meeting all the mandatory functional requirements. Meeting all or most of the desirable functional requirements (written response).",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 45,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical - Functionality of proposed solution",
                            "description": "Meeting all the mandatory functional requirements. Meeting all or most of the desirable functional requirements (Presentation).",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 25,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Commercial - Total Price of solution for the remainder of the AMP8 period (to 31 Mar 2030)",
                            "description": "Price of solution for the contract period.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "description": "Additional Commercial Responses regarding: Payment Terms, Service Levels, and additional value drivers.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical - Functionality of proposed solution",
                            "description": "Meeting all the mandatory functional requirements. Meeting all or most of the desirable functional requirements (written response).",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 45,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical - Functionality of proposed solution",
                            "description": "Meeting all the mandatory functional requirements. Meeting all or most of the desirable functional requirements (Presentation).",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 25,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Commercial - Total Price of solution for the remainder of the AMP8 period (to 31 Mar 2030)",
                            "description": "Price of solution for the contract period.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "description": "Additional Commercial Responses regarding: Payment Terms, Service Levels, and additional value drivers.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-07-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2031-06-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2034-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 3 years with options to extend by 1 year or longer, up to a maximum overall term of 8 years."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "Thames Water reserves the right to: * Extend the contract beyond the initial 2 year term through one or more extension periods, up to a maximum contract end date of 30 June 2034. * Procure additional quantities of the DAS fibre sensing solution, associated hardware, software licences, analytics modules, and related support services where these are consistent with the scope and purpose of the original contract. * Implement further deployments across additional trunk main routes as operational priorities evolve, subject to the overall contract value and term limits."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "011563-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011563-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-02-09T16:55:51Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "022095-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022095-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-12T08:18:35Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "022095-2026",
                "description": "Please note the deadline has been extended. The deadline to submit your PSQ documents is now 19 March at 10 am."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}