Ä¢¹½´«Ã½

Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Contract Leads

Scope

Reference

FA2309

Description

Thames Water Utilities Limited intends to establish a single-lot, multi-supplier framework agreement to deliver inspection, repair, refurbishment and upgrade works to anaerobic digester assets and associated infrastructure across its operational estate.

Thames Water Utilities Limited intends to establish a single-lot, multi-supplier framework agreement to deliver inspection, repair, refurbishment and upgrade works to anaerobic digester assets and associated infrastructure across its operational estate.

The framework will support the ongoing maintenance, regulatory compliance and enhancement of Thames Water's digester portfolio, which forms a critical part of sludge treatment operations. Works will be required across multiple sites and will be delivered as discrete packages or programmes of work called off over the duration of the framework.

The scope of services to be delivered under the framework includes, but is not limited to:

• Decommissioning, isolation and preparation of digesters for inspection and refurbishment

• Removal, treatment and disposal of sludge, grit and associated waste materials in accordance with all applicable regulations

• Internal and external inspection of digester structures and associated assets, including provision of inspection reports, defect identification and recommended remedial actions

• Cleaning and enabling works required to facilitate inspection and subsequent refurbishment activities

• Structural repair and refurbishment of digester assets, including roofs, walls, bases and associated civil infrastructure

• Repair, replacement and upgrade of mechanical, electrical, control and instrumentation (MECI/MEICA) systems, including mixing equipment, pipework, valves, heating systems, and control/automation systems

• Upgrade works to meet current regulatory, environmental and operational standards, including those relating to emissions control, gas management and asset performance

• Temporary works, access solutions, cranage, site establishment and all associated enabling activities required to safely deliver the works

• Testing, commissioning, performance validation and handover of refurbished assets

• Provision of as-built documentation, asset data, operation and maintenance manuals, and training for operational personnel

The nature, scope and value of individual call-off contracts will vary. In many cases, the full extent of refurbishment and upgrade works will only be confirmed following completion of initial decommissioning, cleaning, and detailed inspection activities. As such, works packages may comprise a combination of defined and developing scopes, with suppliers required to work collaboratively with Thames Water to refine and deliver solutions based on inspection findings.

The framework is expected to operate across multiple sites within the Thames Water region. Works will need to be carefully planned and executed to ensure continued operational performance of the wider network, including constraints on the number of digesters that can be taken offline at any one time.

The estimated aggregate value of contracts awarded under the framework is £70,000,000. This value is indicative only and does not constitute any guarantee of the volume, value, timing or distribution of work. No minimum workload or exclusivity is guaranteed to any supplier.

Suppliers appointed to the framework will be expected to demonstrate capability in delivering complex, safety-critical works within live operational environments, and to work collaboratively with Thames Water to achieve programme objectives, regulatory compliance and value for money.

Further detail regarding the scope, technical requirements and contractual arrangements will be set out in the procurement documentation issued at the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) stage.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

• £70,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 1 February 2027 to 1 February 2031
• Possible extension to 1 February 2035
• 8 years, 1 day

Description of possible extension:

The Framework Agreement will be awarded for an initial term of four (4) years. Thames Water Utilities Limited reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the duration of the Framework Agreement by additional periods of time, subject to a maximum total term of eight (8) years.

The exercise of any extension will be at Thames Water Utilities Limited's discretion and will be based on a range of considerations, including:

• the satisfactory performance of Framework suppliers against contractual requirements, including delivery, quality, health and safety, and commercial performance;[AL5.1]

• the continued suitability of the Framework to meet Thames Water Utilities Limited's operational and strategic requirements; and

• value for money and ongoing competitiveness of the Framework arrangements.

There is no obligation on Thames Water Utilities Limited to exercise any or all of the extension options

Main procurement category

Works

CPV classifications

• 45250000 - Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ works for plants, mining and manufacturing and for buildings relating to the oil and gas industry

Contract locations

• UKI - London
• UKJ - South East (England)

Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

Thames Water Utilities Limited is establishing this Framework as a single-lot, multi-supplier framework agreement for the delivery of digester inspection, repair, refurbishment and upgrade works. The Framework will be procured using a competitive flexible procedure.

General operation of the Framework

No supplier is guaranteed any minimum volume or value of work under the Framework.

Call-off contracts will be awarded either:

• through further competition between all appointed Framework suppliers; or

• via award directly to a supplier on an objective basis

For each call-off, Thames Water Utilities Limited will issue a call-off tender pack setting out:

• the initial scope of works,

• project-specific requirements and constraints,

• pricing approach and assumptions, and

• evaluation criteria.

Tenderers will be required to submit both a technical and commercial proposal. Contracts will be awarded to the tenderer submitting the most advantageous tender in accordance with the criteria set out in the call-off documentation.

Call-off contracts will be let using the NEC4 Engineering and Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Contract (ECC) Option A (priced contract with activity schedule).

Pricing mechanism

At the framework award stage (ITN), tenderers will be required to submit a Framework Schedule of Rates, setting out their proposed:

• labour rates,

• plant and equipment rates,

• daywork rates, and

• rates for defined inspection, repair and refurbishment activities.

These rates will form the baseline pricing structure for all future call-off contracts under the Framework.

At call-off stage, for each further competition:

• Thames Water will issue a call-off scope and associated pricing template

• Tenderers will be required to propose quantities for each activity based on their methodology, inspection assumptions, and understanding of the scope

• The total tendered price will be calculated by applying the tenderer's framework rates to their proposed quantities

• Tenderers may, where they identify efficiencies specific to the call-off project, offer reduced rates compared to their submitted Framework Schedule of Rates, provided these are clearly identified and applied consistently within their pricing submission

This approach will result in a priced Activity Schedule, consistent with NEC4 ECC Option A, which will form the basis of contract award.

Submitted quantities and any proposed rate adjustments will be evaluated against clear criteria.

Award method when using the framework

Either with or without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only

Submission

Enquiry deadline

25 June 2026, 5:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Deadline for requests to participate

9 July 2026, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

If you are interested in participating, please complete this form:

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

3 August 2026

Award criteria

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Special regime

Utilities

Competitive flexible procedure description

This Tender Notice invites a request to participate from Applicants. Having reviewed the Tender Notice, all Applicants wishing to participate in the Digester Works Framework competition will need to demonstrate in their submissions that they meet the Conditions of Participation set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire Pack (PSQ Pack) and complete a Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreement.

Applications will be submitted via the contracting authority's portal as described in the PSQ Pack - Part 1 Instructions to Applicants.

The contracting authority will assess the Applicant's submissions and be shortlisted based on several pass/fail questions on corporate assurance along with 3 scored questions. The weighting of the scored questions is listed below.

• Health & Safety 15%

• Capability & Relevant Experience 25%

• Capability (asset integration) 10%

• Supply Chain Management 15%

• Collaboration 20%

• Innovation 15%

Scored submissions will be ranked from highest to lowest and the contracting authority intends to invite the top twelve to twenty highest ranked compliant bidders to tender for the Digester Works Framework AMP8/9.

Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) Stage

The contracting authority will share with the shortlisted Applicants an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) against which such Applicants will be invited to submit a tender. Tender submissions will be evaluated in accordance with the objective criteria set out in the ITN.

Technical Questions will be made available at ITN Stage and will follow the question themes and below with the remaining 25% attributed to the commercial score of the bidder.

• Safety

• Programme - Sequencing & Outage Plan Development

• Delivery & Technical

Negotiation Stage

The contracting authority may engage in negotiations with tenderers as set out further in the ITN.

For the avoidance of doubt, the contracting authority reserves the right to award the framework without any negotiation, on the basis of the most advantageous tenders submitted at the ITN Stage.

Following any negotiation stage, the contracting authority also reserves the right to invite tenderers to submit an updated tender, as explained further in the ITN.

Following the submission of any updated tenders, the contracting authority will complete the tender evaluation process and award places on the Digester Works Framework Agreement to up to ten most advantageous tenders in accordance with the objective criteria set out in the ITN.

Thames Water reserves the right to refine the award criteria. Please note that that deadline for asking for access to the PSQ & submitting of the PSQ is 9 July 2026, at 12:00 noon.

Contracting authority

THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED

• Companies House: 02366661
• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNQQ-4647-DTCV

Clearwater Court

Reading

RG1 8DB

United Kingdom

Email: procurement.support.centre [at] thameswater.co.uk

Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire

Organisation type: Private utility