---
title: "Technical support for Ford and Aylesford Water Recycling Project"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-d1bc6943-4d11-436c-aab3-35f399c2419b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-d1bc6943-4d11-436c-aab3-35f399c2419b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d1bc6943-4d11-436c-aab3-35f399c2419b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d1bc6943-4d11-436c-aab3-35f399c2419b.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "O F W A T"
published: "2026-08-13"
---

# Technical support for Ford and Aylesford Water Recycling Project

Buyer: O F W A T  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-d1bc6943-4d11-436c-aab3-35f399c2419b

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## Summary

Ofwat procured technical advisory and management consultancy services for the day-to-day delivery of the Ford and Aylesford Water Recycling Project. The appointed adviser supports technical assurance of engineering designs, treatment processes, asset integration and technical feasibility; assesses delivery risks, schedules and costs; and reviews programme management, governance, construction readiness and due diligence. The work also covers operational readiness, asset management, operations and maintenance strategy, procurement readiness, market engagement, tendering strategy and bid evaluation support. Advice is required on planning, land acquisition, access rights and associated risks, as well as business cases, scheme structuring, board assurance reports and project submissions. Delivery locations are the West Midlands and London. This is a services requirement, classified under general management consultancy services.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to AECOM Limited on 14 July 2026. Ofwat used a direct award through the Government Commercial Agency’s RM6309 Management Consultancy Framework Four, Lot 8 for infrastructure, using a selective framework call-off route. The awarded value is £50,000 excluding VAT. The contract runs from 20 July 2026 to 19 July 2027. The tender submission deadline was 14 July 2026 at 9:00am. The requirement was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The award is active and the tender is complete. The contract provides continuity of expert technical advice across project delivery, procurement, planning and land strategy, with support at key decisions including tender and contract stages.

This award indicates demand from Ofwat for an independent technical adviser able to work across complex water infrastructure delivery rather than provide a single specialist design service. Credible competitors would need strong engineering and water-treatment expertise, with the ability to assure designs, treatment processes and asset integration. They would also need practical experience in risk management, probabilistic schedule and cost modelling, programme governance, construction readiness, technical due diligence and operational readiness. Capability in procurement strategy, market engagement, tender documentation and bid evaluation is important, alongside knowledge of planning, land acquisition, access rights and associated risks. Suppliers should be able to produce clear board-level assurance reports, review formal submissions and provide responsive advice throughout a major project. The framework-based direct-award route also favours firms already positioned within the relevant infrastructure consultancy market.

## Notice

Direct Award against the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) RM6309 Management Consultancy Framework Four (MCF4) - Lot 8: Infrastructure. The Major Projects team is seeking to appoint a Technical Adviser ("Supplier") to support its work in the day-to-day delivery of the Aylesford and Ford project. By way of specific examples, the Services that we require are likely to include but are not limited to the following areas: Provide assurance on technical feasibility including: * Engineering designs and treatment processes * Assets integration * Technical discreteness Assess project risk and delivery confidence including timelines/programme * Risk management and probabilistic modelling to test schedule and cost * Programme management and governance * Construction review and readiness and technical due diligence Review project management strategies including asset management * Project control and project management * Operational Readiness * Operational & Maintenance Strategy Review of procurement readiness and documentation for main contractors * Market engagement * Procurement and tendering strategy * Bid evaluation support Support planning and land acquisition strategy * Land acquisition strategy during planning * Support during planning * Advise on land acquisition, access rights, and associated risks Continuity of expert advice will be a critical factor for the success of the work. Examples of other Deliverables include: * Ongoing assistance and advice with regards to the development of business cases, procurement strategy and technical aspects of the structuring of the scheme including supporting the client in meetings with the relevant company (as required). * Reports and assurance letters for our Board at key milestones, e.g. decision to go out for tender, decision to enter into contract with a Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP) etc. * General advice on technical matters when required. * Review of formal and informal stage submissions.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8e5adf0-7720-4b7b-9207-d96c46db9eb1 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Jul 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 20 Jul 2026 - 19 Jul 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £50,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £50,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | O F W A T |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Postcode area | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B5 4UA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Ladywood |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | AECOM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79411000 - General management consultancy services

## Release History

- 13 Aug 2026 at 14:28 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8e5adf0-7720-4b7b-9207-d96c46db9eb1

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8e5adf0-7720-4b7b-9207-d96c46db9eb1
  13th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/

## Provenance

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