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T184 TAUWI (Telecoms Association of the UK Water Industry) Support Contract

NI Water and its subsidiaries

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

14 Aug 2026 at 07:10

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 09:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Ireland Water is running this procurement for the Telecoms Association of the UK Water Industry (TAUWI), which will form the contract. The requirement is a UK-wide telecoms support service covering the water industry. The supplier will act as TAUWI’s technical, regulatory, administrative and strategic partner, managing Ofcom-allocated radio spectrum, frequency planning, licensing, compliance and interference resolution. It will advise on telecoms systems, digital radio transition, regulation and safe working practices, while supporting TAUWI and technical working group meetings, governance, member communications, newsletters and industry representation. The scope also includes cyber and telemetry security, GDPR compliance, secure data storage, spectrum-planning databases, records, backups, disaster recovery, website administration, financial and licence administration, windfarm applications, consultations, workshops and performance reporting. Delivery spans the United Kingdom.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure. There is one lot, with electronic submission allowed in English via etenders.co.uk. Enquiries were due by 15 September 2026 at 12:00, and offers were due by 17 September 2026 at 12:00. The intended contract period is 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2029, with one possible two-year renewal period extending to 30 November 2031. The estimated value is £1,000,000 excluding VAT, or £1,200,000 including VAT. Evaluation is based on 60% quality and 40% price. The award decision is scheduled for 10 November 2026. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the procurement is under the utilities regime.

This opportunity suits a telecoms, radio-spectrum or specialist technology consultancy able to combine technical delivery with regulatory, governance and administration services for a UK-wide industry group. Relevant capability includes Ofcom spectrum management, frequency planning, licensing, interference investigations, digital radio transition, telecoms systems advice and windfarm impact assessments. Suppliers must be able to maintain secure repositories with encryption, access controls and multi-factor authentication, support cyber and telemetry security aligned with NCSC, Ofcom and NIS requirements, and comply with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The service also requires ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials Plus cybersecurity certification, ISO 9001 quality management, accurate financial and licence records, reporting, audit access, and qualified consultant, contract manager and administrative personnel. Strong stakeholder coordination, mobilisation and UK-wide operational capacity will be important.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

T184 TAUWI (Telecoms Association of the UK Water Industry) Support Contract

Notice Description

PLEASE NOTE this procurement is being run by NI Water Procurement on behalf of TAUWI. NI WATER IS NOT THE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY. TAUWI WILL FORM THE CONTRACT. T184 Support Services for Telecoms Association of UK Water Industry The following are the services a Supplier must provide to TAUWI (water industry telecoms group), covering meetings, spectrum management, telecoms support, governance, and administration. The Supplier will act as a technical, regulatory, administrative, and strategic partner to TAUWI--managing radio spectrum, supporting telecom operations, ensuring compliance/security, and coordinating industry collaboration. Meetings & Governance * Attend and support TAUWI and Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings (in-person and remote). * Provide briefings to the Chair, agendas, minutes, logistics, and newsletters. * Organise venues, communications, and member engagement. * Publish a quarterly TAUWI newsletter summarising activities. Spectrum Management (Core Function) * Manage radio spectrum allocated by Ofcom for TAUWI members. * Cover services such as: o Frequency planning and allocation (PBR, telemetry, RMR, etc.). o Licensing support and compliance. o Interference investigation and resolution. o National Frequency Plan and related frameworks. * Support transition to digital radio systems and coordination with regulators (UK & international). * Provide technical advice, site visits, and planning tools. Telecommunications Support * Advise members on telecom systems, licences, and emerging technologies. * Provide updates on regulatory changes and opportunities. * Maintain awareness of health & safety requirements for telecom sites. * Arrange training/presentations on safe working practices. Security & Data Protection * Maintain an industry-wide strategy for cyber and telemetry security aligned with NCSC, Ofcom, and NIS Regulations. * Provide a secure data repository with: o Encryption (in transit & at rest) o Access controls and MFA * Ensure compliance with GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018. * Maintain cyber certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus). Stakeholder Engagement * Maintain relationships with Ofcom, DEFRA, BIS, Water UK, and other bodies. * Represent TAUWI on industry groups (e.g., BRIG, FWILF). * Liaise with technology suppliers and industry forums. Financial & Licence Administration * Collect and manage licence fees and member contributions. * Pay Ofcom fees and manage trust accounts. * Provide financial reporting and advise on funding needs. * Maintain transparent accounting and audit access. Systems, Data & IT Requirements * Maintain software, modelling tools, and databases for spectrum planning. * Ensure: o Data backup and disaster recovery o Accurate records (licences, spectrum, infrastructure, etc.) * Keep TAUWI website and systems up to date. Windfarm & External Applications * Process windfarm applications that may affect telecom systems. * Notify impacted members and maintain a windfarm register. * Offer optional enhanced interference analysis services. Reporting Requirements * Provide: o Quarterly performance and activity reports o Reports for TWG and Executive Committee o Annual report for all members * Failure to meet service levels can lead to contract termination. Ancillary & Optional Services * Respond to telecom consultations on behalf of TAUWI. * Organise workshops and innovation activities. * Support legal advice procurement when needed. * Offer optional member-paid services (e.g., enhanced windfarm assessments). Compliance & Quality * Maintain: o ISO 9001 (quality management) o Cybersecurity certifications * Ensure qualified key personnel (consultant, contract manager, admin). Transition & Implementation * Supplier must be fully operational by agreed start date. * Provide resources, communication plans, and mobilisation activities.

Planning Information

This procurement is being undertaken by Northern Ireland Water Ltd on behalf of TAUWI. Prior to publication of the tender TAUWI intends to undertake pre market engagement to 1.Provide suppliers with a high level overview of the requirements 2. Outline the scope, constraints and timelines 3. Offer an opportunity for clarification. Engagement will take the form of a Supplier Briefing Session to be held on Wednesday 29th July 2026 at 10:00am via Teams. How to Register. Suppliers wishing to attend this session should email sourcing@niwater.com as NI Water will be running this procurement on behalf of TAUWI. Requests to participate must be received by cob Monday 27th July 2026. Teams Meeting invites will then be issued. Please note participation is optional and will not confer any advantage in any subsequent procurement process. This PME Notice is not a call for competition or a commitment to proceed with the procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d179
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077450-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, 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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services

64200000 - Telecommunications services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
13 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NI Water and its subsidiaries
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT14 6TE
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland, TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Chichester Park
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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