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NI Water - Laboratory Analysis Resilience Services

NI Water and its subsidiaries

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Sep 2026 at 08:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Ireland Water Limited is preparing to procure laboratory analysis resilience services. The requirement is for contingency analysis of water samples when required, supporting continuity of laboratory testing if normal arrangements are unavailable. The current list covers sample-analysis suites and parameters, with associated accreditation requirements; this list may change before the formal tender. The service is classified as analysis services (CPV 71620000) and will support delivery across Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Water is the buying organisation and the procurement is being run under the utilities regime. The requirement is structured as a single lot and is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Suppliers able to provide accredited laboratory testing and resilient contingency capacity are likely to be relevant.

This procurement is at the planning and market-engagement stage; it is not yet an invitation to tender. Northern Ireland Water is using a request for information to assess market interest and capability and to develop the eventual specification. Interested suppliers are expected to return the RFI response and analysis suites and parameters information by 2pm on 23 September 2026. The buyer’s planning information says a formal tender is expected in early to mid-October 2026, with a future notice date of 27 October 2026 also recorded. The planned contract is expected to run from 4 February 2027 to 3 February 2030, with renewal potential to 4 February 2034. Estimated value is £10 net or £12 gross, in GBP.

The work is likely to suit laboratories and specialist analytical service providers with the technical capability to test the sample types, suites and parameters identified by Northern Ireland Water. Suppliers should review the stated accreditation requirements and be able to demonstrate that their laboratory methods, quality systems and reporting arrangements meet those standards. The requirement is specifically concerned with resilience and contingency provision, so relevant businesses are those able to provide dependable backup analysis capacity when required, rather than only routine scheduled testing. Established laboratories with suitable equipment, qualified analytical staff, robust continuity arrangements and experience supporting water-sector or comparable regulated testing will be well placed to prepare. The buyer has indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises are suitable, creating scope for capable specialist providers as well as larger laboratories.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NI Water - Laboratory Analysis Resilience Services

Notice Description

NI Water's current contract for provision of contingency sample analysis services will end 3 February 2027. NI Water are seeking to understand the current market capability and gauge interest in participation in a tender process for this requirement. NI Water have provided a list of the current suites/parameters of sample types in Appendix 2 - List of Analysis Suites and Parameters, this includes the accreditation requirements. Please note this list may be subject to change, any changes will be notified in the tender documentation. NI Water would ask interested suppliers to complete both Annex 1 of the Request for Information (RFI) document and the Appendix 2 List of Analysis Suites and Parameters' and return these via eTenders NI (using the Messaging function) or send to sourcing@niwater.com (FAO Paul Clements) by 2pm on 23rd September 2026.

Planning Information

NI Water are engaging with the market to to assess interest and capability for the provision of Laboratory Resilience Services, as and when required. NI Water request that interested suppliers complete both Annex 1 of the Request for Information (RFI) document and the Appendix 2 List of Analysis Suites and Parameters and return these via eTenders NI (using the Messaging function) or send to sourcing@niwater.com (FAO Paul Clements) by 2pm on 23rd September 2026. RFI responses will enable Northern Ireland Water to develop a specification of requirements that will cover our needs, but also requirements that can be met and delivered by suppliers. A formal tender opportunity for Laboratory Analysis Resilience Services will be issued early/mid-October 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0773f5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087998-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Oct 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Feb 2027 - 3 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
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
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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