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FA08-31 Commercial Services

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

08 Oct 2026 at 09:03

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

19 Aug 2026 at 09:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumbrian Water Limited is procuring a multi-lot framework for commercial and construction consultancy services supporting capital investment and other projects for Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water. The work spans infrastructure and non-infrastructure programmes, from routine contract-level commercial support to strategic advice on major projects. Services include NEC contract administration, commercial assurance and governance, cost planning and control, procurement support, risk and change management, programme support and specialist cost intelligence. The framework also covers independent estimates, benchmarking, market analysis, affordability assessments and investment business cases. Delivery is across the Northumbrian Water operating region in the north-east of England and the Essex & Suffolk Water operating region in the east of England. One lot is restricted to SMEs operating in the north and another to SMEs operating in the south; a further SME lot requires coverage of both regions. Other lots cover both regions without that restriction.

The buyer invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure, using a staged process of participation checks, tender assessment and, for shortlisted suppliers, interviews and best-and-final offers. Expressions of interest were due by 3 November 2026 at 12 noon, and completed Conditions of Participation by 6 November 2026 at 12 noon. The planned framework starts on 1 June 2027 and runs initially to 31 May 2030, with extensions possible up to 31 May 2035. The estimated total value is £120 million excluding VAT (£144 million including VAT). The six lots cover core and enhanced commercial services across both regions, major projects and advisory services across both regions, SME commercial services separately for the north and south, SME major-project advice across both regions, and cost intelligence across both regions. Price and quality each carry 50% of the evaluation weighting. Up to six suppliers per lot proceed from the first stage.

The opportunity suits commercial consultancies and specialist infrastructure advisers able to provide flexible, scalable resources for both routine contract support and project- or programme-level work. Relevant capabilities include NEC contract management, commercial leadership, procurement and contracting strategy, cost assurance, estimating, planning, financial forecasting, risk and change management, governance, stakeholder support and reporting. The major-project and advisory work calls for experience supporting complex capital projects from business case and concept through procurement, delivery, commissioning and close-out. Cost-intelligence suppliers need suitably qualified and experienced personnel with construction, infrastructure and water-industry capability, together with competence in estimating, benchmarking, market analysis, data analytics, affordability assessment and investment planning. SME-specific lots provide routes for smaller businesses; the SME definition is fewer than 250 staff and either turnover below £44 million or a balance sheet below £38 million. Suppliers pursuing the cross-region SME advisory lot must operate in both service areas.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

FA08-31 Commercial Services

Notice Description

NWL is seeking to set up a framework for the provision of commercial services relating predominantly to the capital investment on both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects and programmes. The services are required to support AMP8 and AMP9 delivery to deliver commercial services across both Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water operating regions, including supporting our range of enterprise and in-house delivery models, and major projects. The scope may include (but not limited to) NEC contract management, cost and value management, commercial assurance, risk management, programme support, specialist advisory support and cost intelligence support. NWL's approach to the Commercial Services framework is based on a multi-lot structure. The lots are organised by services, organisation size and/or region. The proposed lot structure and associated services are set out in this Tender Notice and the associated tender documents. Suppliers are expected to offer flexible, scalable resourcing solutions that can support both strategic and project-level delivery to meet programme demands across both regions. NWL welcomes interest from organisations of all sizes, including suppliers who may not currently operate within the water sector or who do not have large established delivery teams.

Lot Information

Commercial Services (North & South)

The Consultant shall provide commercial services across the Client's infrastructure and non-infrastructure investment programmes within both the Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water operating regions. Services shall support both contract-level delivery (Core) and project/programme-level delivery (Enhanced) Core commercial services will be for the provision of the Consultant to provide contract-level support, where services will typically comprise standard, repeatable commercial activities required for contract delivery, undertaken at works order level through streamlined processes. This includes, but is not limited to: * Commercial administration and assurance * NEC Contract management * Project management support * Target cost validation and assurance * Estimating and Planning Enhanced commercial services will be the provision of commercial services at portfolio, programme or project level, with the Consultant acting as the principal commercial advisor to the Client's Project Manager throughout the project lifecycle. Enhanced commercial services will support asset investment at project level and shall include, but are not limited to: * Commercial leadership and governance * Cost and financial management including budget forecasting and business financial updates * Procurement and contracting strategy * Risk and change management * Strategic project/contract management * Reporting and performance management * Stakeholder and programme support The Consultant may be requested to provided administration support for the Clients contract management system.

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Major Projects and Advisory Services (North & South)

The Client requires the provision of specialist commercial services to support the development and delivery of the Client's Major infrastructure programmes and projects within both the Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water operating regions. The Consultant shall act as an integrated extension of the Client's commercial team and other directorates within NWL, providing but not limited to, commercial leadership, risk management, NEC contract administration, procurement support, cost assurance and governance services to support the successful delivery of complex capital projects. The services shall support projects from initial concept and business case development through procurement, delivery, commissioning and close-out, ensuring effective commercial control, value optimisation and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. The Consultant shall provide, but not limited to, the following services: * Commercial leadership and strategy advice * Procurement and contract management * Cost planning and cost control * Commercial governance and assurance * Risk, change and opportunity management * Supplier and stakeholder management * Reporting and management information * Data insight * Estimating, Planning and Integrated Project Controls * End to end managed service provision (optional scope) The Consultant shall provide strategic commercial and regulatory advice and value-add services to support the Client's investment programme, major projects and broader business objectives. These services shall include the development and review of business cases, investment submissions and supporting commercial justifications to enable informed decision-making and support with securing internal governance approvals.

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Commercial Services (SMEs, North)

The Consultant shall provide commercial services across the Client's infrastructure and non-infrastructure investment programmes within the Northumbrian Water operating region only. Services shall support both contract-level delivery (Core) and project/programme-level delivery (Enhanced). This lot is for SMEs only. An SME is defined by The Procurement Act 2023 as: "Fewer than 250 staff, and either turnover less than PS44 million or balance sheet total less than PS38 million." Core commercial services will be for the provision of the Consultant to provide contract-level support, where services will typically comprise standard, repeatable commercial activities required for contract delivery, undertaken at works order level through streamlined processes. This includes, but is not limited to: * Commercial administration and assurance * NEC Contract management * Project management support * Target cost validation and assurance Enhanced commercial services will be the provision of commercial services at project or programme level, with the Consultant acting as the principal commercial advisor to the Client's Project Manager throughout the project lifecycle. Enhanced commercial services will support asset investment at project level and shall include, but are not limited to: * Commercial leadership and governance * Cost and financial management including budget forecasting and business financial updates * Procurement and contracting strategy * Risk and change management * Strategic contract management * Reporting and performance management * Stakeholder and programme support

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Commercial Services (SMEs, South)

The Consultant shall provide commercial services across the Client's infrastructure and non-infrastructure investment programmes within the Essex & Suffolk Water operating region only. Services shall support both contract-level delivery (Core) and project/programme-level delivery (Enhanced). This lot is for SMEs only. An SME is defined by The Procurement Act 2023 as: "Fewer than 250 staff, and either turnover less than PS44 million or balance sheet total less than PS38 million." Core commercial services will be for the provision of the Consultant to provide contract-level support, where services will typically comprise standard, repeatable commercial activities required for contract delivery, undertaken at works order level through streamlined processes. This includes, but is not limited to: * Commercial administration and assurance * NEC Contract management * Project management support * Target cost validation and assurance Enhanced commercial services will be the provision of commercial services at project or programme level, with the Consultant acting as the principal commercial advisor to the Client's Project Manager throughout the project lifecycle. Enhanced commercial services will support asset investment at project level and shall include, but are not limited to: * Commercial leadership and governance * Cost and financial management, including budget forecasting and business financial updates * Procurement and contracting strategy * Risk and change management * Strategic contract management * Reporting and performance management * Stakeholder and programme support

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Major Projects and Advisory Services (SMEs, North & South)

The Client requires the provision of specialist commercial services to support the development and delivery of the Clients Major infrastructure programmes and projects within both the Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water operating regions. This lot is for SMEs only. An SME is defined by The Procurement Act 2023 as: "Fewer than 250 staff, and either turnover less than PS44 million or balance sheet total less than PS38 million." Successful Consultants must be able to operate in both the Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk operating areas. The Consultant shall act as an integrated extension of the Client's commercial team and other directorates within NWL, providing but not limited to, commercial leadership, risk management, NEC contract administration, procurement support, cost assurance and governance services to support the successful delivery of complex capital projects. The services shall support projects from initial concept and business case development through procurement, delivery, commissioning and close-out, ensuring effective commercial control, value optimisation and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. The Consultant shall provide, but not limited to, the following services: * Commercial leadership and strategy * Procurement and contract management * Cost planning and cost control * Commercial governance and assurance * Risk, change and opportunity management * Supplier and stakeholder management * Reporting and management information * Data insight The Consultant shall provide strategic commercial advisory and value-add services to support the Client's investment programme, major projects and broader business objectives. These services shall include the development and review of business cases, investment submissions and supporting commercial justifications to enable informed decision-making and support with securing internal governance approvals.

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Cost Intelligence (North & South)

The Consultant shall provide independent Cost Intelligence services across both the Client's Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water operating regions. The services shall support the planning, development, procurement, delivery and close-out of AMP8 and AMP9 investment, including the Living Water Enterprise, Integrated Delivery Services, Major Projects and other strategic investments. The Consultant shall provide an integrated, evidence-based cost capability that connects scope, quantities, specifications, assumptions and supporting evidence to the relevant cost position. The services shall support robust business cases, affordability assessments, investment submissions, target-cost development, programme forecasting and informed investment decision-making. These works will require the Consultant to work in an embedded and collaborative way with the Client's teams specifically but not limited to, Engineering and Regulatory teams. The Consultant shall provide, but not be limited to, the following services: * preparation, review and assurance of cost estimates throughout the project lifecycle; * independent review and validation of supplier estimates, target costs, quotations, forecasts and outturn costs; * cost benchmarking using relevant internal and external cost information; * development and maintenance of benchmark rates, cost models, cost curves and estimating tools; * market intelligence and analysis of relevant supply-chain, labour, commodity, inflation and delivery conditions; * affordability assessments, option appraisals and strategic investment planning; * analysis of quantities, rates, allowances, risk, assumptions and cost drivers; * comparison of cost positions across projects, programmes and successive project iterations; * reconciliation of delivered scope and outturn cost against estimates, target costs and earlier cost positions; * identification and evidence-based explanation of material cost movements; * data analysis, reporting and management information; * support for business cases, regulatory submissions, investment submissions and governance approvals; and * provision of specialist estimating, benchmarking, data analysis and Cost Intelligence resources through individual call-off contracts. The Consultant shall work in accordance with the Client's standards, processes, systems and governance requirements. This shall include applying agreed cost classifications, scope definitions, yardsticks, measurement rules, project attributes and version controls to ensure cost information remains traceable, comparable and suitable for reuse. The Consultant shall provide suitably qualified and experienced personnel with relevant construction, infrastructure and water-industry capability. The proposed resources shall collectively demonstrate competence in cost estimating, cost assurance, benchmarking, market analysis, data analytics, affordability assessment and strategic investment planning.

Options: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Renewal: The length of the Framework Agreement is proposed at 8 years. With an initial period of 3 years extended by negotiation for a further 5 years (any combination of extension period up to 5 years) (Total 8 Years).

Planning Information

General Information: • It is mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service (Procurement Act 2023). • NWG welcomes interest from all suitable suppliers • Suppliers may have expertise in any of the described scope areas Aims of Market Engagement: • Understand current market conditions and appetite for providing services of this nature • Understand supplier's capability and capacity to provide services of this nature • Understand and develop the framework/procurement strategy. This may include extending existing framework with current partners, or open market competition, or both • Reviewing how work could be allocated within framework to deliver best value • Seeking feedback from the market to understand how NWG can be an attractive client, ensuring the procurement process is proportionate to the size and complexity of the services required Market Engagement Process: • Initial Conditions of Participation to exclude any suppliers who are on Debarment List or are not registered on Central Digital Platform • Completion of supplier questionnaire via Microsoft Forms requesting information on supplier capabilities, previous experience of a similar nature, how suppliers can add value to the market engagement process • NWG will review questionnaire returns and incorporate feedback into framework / procurement strategy. NWG reserve the right to select suitable suppliers for further engagement sessions if required. • Upon completion of market engagement, the Client will develop a strategy for the Commercial Services framework. If this results in an open market competition, any material shared during the engagement process will be included within the tender documents Call to Action: Expressions of interest to complete the questionnaire must be sent to the e-mail address amp8procurement@nwl.co.uk before the deadline date of 25/08/2026 at Midday. Once the expression of interest window has closed, a link to the questionnaire will be sent to the email address you provided. The deadline for completing the questionnaire is 04/09/2026 at 5pm. When sending expression of interest, applicants must provide the following information: 1) Full company name, 2) Key contact (name, email address to receive the questionnaire link, mobile number)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e71b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095006-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71310000 - Consultative engineering and construction services

71530000 - Construction consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£120,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 31 May 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
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 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
PITY ME
Postcode
DH1 5FJ
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLH East (England)
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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