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Independent Monitor - South East Water

O F W A T

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

28 Aug 2026 at 14:15

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

14 Aug 2026 at 16:53

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 19:04

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ofwat is procuring an independent monitoring and assurance service for South East Water. The monitor will assess and report on the company’s progress in improving operational performance, resilience and customer care during water supply interruptions. It will monitor remediation actions, including the development and implementation of a Performance Improvement Plan, and independently assess progress, governance, risk management and confidence in delivery. The service must identify material risks to compliance and delivery and provide advice and recommendations to Ofwat, while South East Water remains accountable for delivering the improvements. The requirement is a business, regulatory and management consultancy service, classified under CPV 79000000. Work will cover South East Water’s activities across England and Wales.

The process has reached tender: Ofwat invited written offers through a competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Clarification questions were due by 24 August 2026 at 12:00, and tenders were due electronically through myTenders by 7 September 2026 at 09:00; email and post were excluded. The estimated value is £5,000,000 excluding VAT and £6,000,000 including VAT. The contract is scheduled from 8 October 2026 to 8 October 2028, with two one-year options extending the maximum period to 8 October 2030. Award is due by 2 October 2026. There is one lot. Evaluation is 50% written quality, 10% presentation and interview, 10% social value and 30% price. Valid invoices are payable within 30 days.

This opportunity suits independent monitoring, regulatory assurance, management consultancy and operational improvement firms with experience in regulated utilities, water resilience, customer service or complex remediation programmes. Strong bidders will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements, a scalable and proportionate risk-based methodology, and the capability to assess governance, risk management, compliance and delivery confidence. The service may change in scope and volume as South East Water’s performance, recapitalisation, financial position, operational arrangements and remediation progress develop, so suppliers need flexible capacity and the ability to respond to changing risks. Bidders must have legal capacity, appropriate governance and regulatory compliance, including UK GDPR and data protection arrangements, and sufficient financial standing. The requirement is identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Monitor - South East Water

Notice Description

Ofwat is procuring an Independent Monitor (IM) to monitor, assess and report South East Water's progress in delivering a turnaround in their operational performance and resilience. The scope of the Monitor's role is intended to be consistent with undertakings accepted by Ofwat in its enforcement decisions concerning water supply resilience and customer care during supply interruption incidents, and compliance with a licence condition requiring the company to hold two Issuer Credit Ratings that are Investment Grade Ratings. The IM will support Ofwat's monitoring of the company's delivery of remediation actions required under the undertakings, including the development and implementation of a Performance Improvement Plan. The IM will provide independent assessment of progress, governance, risk management and delivery confidence, identify material risks to compliance and delivery, and report findings to Ofwat. The IM will support proportionate, risk-based regulatory oversight, while maintaining clear accountability with the company for delivery of the required improvements. The scope is expected to evolve during the contract term in response to the company's performance, risk profile and progress against the undertakings. The monitoring approach must therefore be scalable, risk-based and proportionate. The IM will be appointed by Ofwat, act independently of the company and provide advice and recommendations to Ofwat only. The costs of the independent monitor will be met by the Company, and will not impact on customer bills.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d963
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082211-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 20265 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
8 Oct 2026 - 8 Oct 2028 2-3 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
O F W A T
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B5 4UA
Postcode Area
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
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
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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