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Independent Monitor - Thames Water

O F W A T

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

28 Aug 2026 at 15:15

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

14 Aug 2026 at 17:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

31 Jul 2026 at 19:24

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is procuring an independent monitor for Thames Water. The service will provide independent monitoring, analysis, evidence and reporting on Thames Water’s turnaround programme, financial resilience and compliance with regulatory undertakings following a breach of licence condition P26. The monitor will assess governance, operational performance, transformation programmes, regulatory submissions, capital delivery, asset management and delivery confidence, while identifying material risks, emerging concerns and issues. It will report to Ofwat and provide recommendations and advice to Ofwat only, independently of Thames Water. The work is delivered across England and Wales. This is a business, consulting and professional advisory service, classified under CPV 79000000.

The procurement has reached tender: Ofwat invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, using an open process. Clarification questions were due by 24 August 2026 at 12:00, and tenders are due electronically through the myTenders portal by 7 September 2026 at 09:00; email and post are not accepted. The single lot is valued at £13,000,000 excluding VAT, or £15,600,000 including VAT. The contract is scheduled from 5 November 2026 to 31 July 2030, with a possible one-year extension to 31 July 2031. Award is expected by 21 October 2026. Evaluation weights written quality responses at 50%, presentation and interview at 10%, social value at 10% and pricing at 30%.

This opportunity suits firms able to provide independent regulatory monitoring, assurance, analysis and senior reporting across complex utility turnaround programmes. Strong candidates will need demonstrable understanding of governance, operational performance, financial resilience, transformation, regulatory compliance, capital delivery and asset management, supported by a credible delivery team and relevant experience. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, including those working in partnership where they can meet the participation conditions. Bidders must have the legal capacity and governance arrangements to perform the work, comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and address UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 obligations where relevant. They must also demonstrate sound financial standing, including recent unqualified accounts, no insolvency proceedings and average annual turnover of at least £5 million over the two latest completed financial years.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Monitor - Thames Water

Notice Description

Ofwat is procuring an Independent Monitor (IM) to provide independent monitoring, analysis and reporting in relation to Thames Water's turnaround programme, financial resilience and compliance with undertakings accepted by Ofwat following a breach of licence condition P26. The IM will support Ofwat's Turnaround Oversight Regime by monitoring and assessing Thames Water's progress in delivering its turnaround plan and complying with regulatory commitments. The IM will provide independent oversight of governance, operational performance, financial resilience, transformation activities and delivery confidence, and identify and report material risks, issues and emerging concerns to Ofwat. The IM will undertake monitoring and reporting services across a broad range of functions, including operational performance, financial resilience, governance, transformation programmes, regulatory submissions, capital delivery and asset management. The IM will report regularly to Ofwat and provide independent evidence and analysis to support regulatory oversight and decision-making. The role is expected to operate in a dynamic and evolving environment. The nature, scope and intensity of the IM's activities may increase or decrease during the contract term to reflect Thames Water's progress, risk profile, recapitalisation activities, regulatory developments and wider turnaround programme. The contract has therefore been designed to support a scalable and proportionate monitoring approach. The IM will be appointed by Ofwat, will act independently of Thames Water, and will provide recommendations and advice 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-06d965
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082272-2026
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
£13,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£13,000,000 £10M-£100M
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
5 Nov 2026 - 31 Jul 2030 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
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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