--- title: "T184 Support Services for Telecoms Association of UK Water Industry" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d179" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d179" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d179.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d179.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NORTHERN IRELAND WATER" published: "2026-07-23" --- # T184 Support Services for Telecoms Association of UK Water Industry Buyer: NORTHERN IRELAND WATER Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d179 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d179) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d179.json) ## Summary The procurement process is being initiated by Northern Ireland Water, a sub-central government public authority located in Belfast, United Kingdom. The contracting process is in the planning stage as of 23rd July 2026. Northern Ireland Water plans to hold a Supplier Briefing Session on 29th July 2026 to engage with potential suppliers, highlighting the procurement requirements and scope. This session will be an opportunity for suppliers to gain insights into the upcoming tender for providing support services to the Telecoms Association of the UK Water Industry (TAUWI). The procurement falls under postal and telecommunications services, with a focus on providing technical, regulatory, and administrative support to TAUWI. Registration for the briefing session should be completed by 27th July 2026, and the procurement process is expected to progress towards the publication of the tender by 13th August 2026. This tender presents an exciting opportunity for businesses within the telecommunications industry, especially those with expertise in managing radio spectrum, providing telecoms support, and ensuring compliance with both local and international regulations. The contract, valued at GBP 1,000,000 (gross amount GBP 1,200,000), will commence on 1st December 2026, offering a three-year period with potential renewal options up to 2031. The procurement is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capable of delivering comprehensive support services, including spectrum management, telecom operations support, and industry collaboration facilitation. Businesses well-versed in managing telecoms-related security, governance, and stakeholder engagement will find this an attractive prospect to enhance their portfolios and drive growth in the utilities sector. ## Notice The following are the services a Supplier must provide to TAUWI (water industry telecoms group), covering meetings, spectrum management, telecoms support, governance, and administration. The Supplier will act as a technical, regulatory, administrative, and strategic partner to TAUWI--managing radio spectrum, supporting telecom operations, ensuring compliance/security, and coordinating industry collaboration. Meetings & Governance * Attend and support TAUWI and Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings (in-person and remote). * Provide briefings to the Chair, agendas, minutes, logistics, and newsletters. * Organise venues, communications, and member engagement. * Publish a quarterly TAUWI newsletter summarising activities. Spectrum Management (Core Function) * Manage radio spectrum allocated by Ofcom for TAUWI members. * Cover services such as: o Frequency planning and allocation (PBR, telemetry, RMR, etc.). o Licensing support and compliance. o Interference investigation and resolution. o National Frequency Plan and related frameworks. * Support transition to digital radio systems and coordination with regulators (UK & international). * Provide technical advice, site visits, and planning tools. Telecommunications Support * Advise members on telecom systems, licences, and emerging technologies. * Provide updates on regulatory changes and opportunities. * Maintain awareness of health & safety requirements for telecom sites. * Arrange training/presentations on safe working practices. Security & Data Protection * Maintain an industry-wide strategy for cyber and telemetry security aligned with NCSC, Ofcom, and NIS Regulations. * Provide a secure data repository with: o Encryption (in transit & at rest) o Access controls and MFA * Ensure compliance with GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018. * Maintain cyber certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus). Stakeholder Engagement * Maintain relationships with Ofcom, DEFRA, BIS, Water UK, and other bodies. * Represent TAUWI on industry groups (e.g., BRIG, FWILF). * Liaise with technology suppliers and industry forums. Financial & Licence Administration * Collect and manage licence fees and member contributions. * Pay Ofcom fees and manage trust accounts. * Provide financial reporting and advise on funding needs. * Maintain transparent accounting and audit access. Systems, Data & IT Requirements * Maintain software, modelling tools, and databases for spectrum planning. * Ensure: o Data backup and disaster recovery o Accurate records (licences, spectrum, infrastructure, etc.) * Keep TAUWI website and systems up to date. Windfarm & External Applications * Process windfarm applications that may affect telecom systems. * Notify impacted members and maintain a windfarm register. * Offer optional enhanced interference analysis services. Reporting Requirements * Provide: o Quarterly performance and activity reports o Reports for TWG and Executive Committee o Annual report for all members * Failure to meet service levels can lead to contract termination. Ancillary & Optional Services * Respond to telecom consultations on behalf of TAUWI. * Organise workshops and innovation activities. * Support legal advice procurement when needed. * Offer optional member-paid services (e.g., enhanced windfarm assessments). Compliance & Quality * Maintain: o ISO 9001 (quality management) o Cybersecurity certifications * Ensure qualified key personnel (consultant, contract manager, admin). Transition & Implementation * Supplier must be fully operational by agreed start date. * Provide resources, communication plans, and mobilisation activities. ### Planning Information This procurement is being undertaken by Northern Ireland Water Ltd on behalf of TAUWI. Prior to publication of the tender TAUWI intends to undertake pre market engagement to 1.Provide suppliers with a high level overview of the requirements 2. Outline the scope, constraints and timelines 3. Offer an opportunity for clarification. Engagement will take the form of a Supplier Briefing Session to be held on Wednesday 29th July 2026 at 10:00am via Teams. How to Register. Suppliers wishing to attend this session should email sourcing@niwater.com as NI Water will be running this procurement on behalf of TAUWI. Requests to participate must be received by cob Monday 27th July 2026. Teams Meeting invites will then be issued. Please note participation is optional and will not confer any advantage in any subsequent procurement process. This PME Notice is not a call for competition or a commitment to proceed with the procurement process. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069468-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 13 Aug 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NORTHERN IRELAND WATER | | Locality | BELFAST | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT14 6TE | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast | | Local authority | Belfast | | Electoral ward | Chichester Park | | Westminster constituency | Belfast North | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 64 - Postal and telecommunications services ### Codes - 64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services - 64200000 - Telecommunications services ## Release History - 23 Jul 2026 at 08:43 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069468-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069468-2026 23rd July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d179. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d179.json.