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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Digester Inspection and Refurbishment Works

THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 27 Sept 2026, 14:27.

Opportunity overview

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.

Classification

  • CPV45250000 — Construction works for plants, mining and manufacturing and for buildings relating to the oil and gas industry

Lots

  • Lot 1£70m · Including VAT

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
FA2309
Status
active
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
works
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
If you are interested in participating, please complete this form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/2007vhj6is
Expression Of Interest Deadline
16 Jul 2026, 12:00

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
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.

Special regime

utilities

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
closed
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 Construction 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.

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Enquiry period

Ends
25 Jun 2026, 17:00

Expected award period

Ends
3 Aug 2026, 23:59

Amendments

Entry 1
Description
Please note the deadline for asking for access and submitting the PSQ data requested is now 16th July at 12 noon GMT.
Id
061143-2026

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
70,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
75
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
price
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
25
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Starts
1 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
1 Feb 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
1 Feb 2035, 23:59

Renewal

Description
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

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
45250000
Description
Construction works for plants, mining and manufacturing and for buildings relating to the oil and gas industry

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
061143-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
30 Jun 2026, 11:39
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Id
GB-COH-02366661

Identifier

Scheme
GB-COH
Id
02366661

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PNQQ-4647-DTCV

Address

Street Address
Clearwater Court
Locality
Reading
Postal Code
RG1 8DB
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ11

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
privateUtility
Description
Private utility

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Reading · UKJ11 · RG1 8DB · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKI · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 054972-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 061143-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·