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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Independent Monitor - Thames Water

Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 24 Sept 2026, 10:36.

Opportunity overview

Ofwat is procuring an Independent Monitor (IM) to provide independent monitoring, analysis and reporting in relation to Thames Water's turnaround programme, financial resilience and compliance with undertakings accepted by Ofwat following a breach of licence condition P26. The IM will support Ofwat's Turnaround Oversight Regime by monitoring and assessing Thames Water's progress in delivering its turnaround plan and complying with regulatory commitments. The IM will provide independent oversight of governance, operational performance, financial resilience, transformation activities and delivery confidence, and identify and report material risks, issues and emerging concerns to Ofwat. The IM will undertake monitoring and reporting services across a broad range of functions, including operational performance, financial resilience, governance, transformation programmes, regulatory submissions, capital delivery and asset management. The IM will report regularly to Ofwat and provide independent evidence and analysis to support regulatory oversight and decision-making. The role is expected to operate in a dynamic and evolving environment. The nature, scope and intensity of the IM's activities may increase or decrease during the contract term to reflect Thames Water's progress, risk profile, recapitalisation activities, regulatory developments and wider turnaround programme. The contract has therefore been designed to support a scalable and proportionate monitoring approach. The IM will be appointed by Ofwat, will act independently of Thames Water, and will provide recommendations and advice to Ofwat only. The costs of the independent monitor will be met by the Company, and will not impact on customer bills.

Classification

  • CPV79000000 — Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Lots

  • Lot 1£13m

Documents and notices

  • Tender notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
  • PROC.0298 - Appendix A - Terms and ConditionsOpen source ↗
  • PROC.0298 - Invitation to Tender - Independent Monitor - Thames WaterOpen source ↗
  • PROC.0298 - Appendix B - Instructions and Guidance to BiddersOpen source ↗
  • Schedule 3 Security Requirements (ICT10) within Appendix A - Terms and Conditions documentOpen source ↗
  • Presentation and Interview Stage Instruction documentOpen source ↗
  • "Note to Bidders" document, outlining small number of changes to the terms of the Independent Monitor Contract at Appendix A of the Invitation to Tender.Open source ↗

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
PROC.0298
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the myTenders eProcurement portal (https://www.mytenders.co.uk/). Instructions for accessing the procurement documents, submitting clarification questions and submitting tenders will be provided through the portal. Tenders submitted by email or post will not be accepted.
Published risks
The satisfactory performance of the contract may be affected by factors outside Ofwat's direct control, including changes to Thames Water's financial position, recapitalisation activities, corporate restructuring, regulatory interventions, and enforcement actions, or changes to the company's turnaround programme. The scope, intensity and focus of the Independent Monitor's activities may need to change during the contract term in response to evolving risks, emerging issues, delivery performance, compliance with undertakings, governance developments, financial resilience concerns and wider regulatory requirements. The contract has therefore been designed to support a flexible, scalable and proportionate monitoring approach that can be adapted to reflect changes in risk, regulatory priorities and the company's circumstances while ensuring effective regulatory oversight.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
o The procurement is being conducted using a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. Bidders will be required to submit a tender response addressing the conditions of participation, quality and commercial requirements set out in the tender documents. Following evaluation of written tenders, Ofwat intends to shortlist up to four bidders to participate in a Presentation and Interview Stage. Shortlisting will be based on the evaluation methodology set out in the Invitation to Tender. Following completion of the Presentation and Interview Stage, final scores will be calculated using the published evaluation methodology and the highest scoring bidder will be invited to enter into the contract. Ofwat reserves the right to clarify aspects of tenders in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the procurement documents.

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Tender Period

Ends
11 Sept 2026, 17:00

Enquiry period

Ends
24 Aug 2026, 12:00

Expected award period

Ends
21 Oct 2026, 23:59

Contract terms

Financial Terms
Valid and undisputed invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt

Amendments

Entry 1
Description
Addition of "Presentation and Interview Stage Instructions" document. Addition of "Note to Bidders" document, outlining small number of changes to the terms of the Independent Monitor Contract at Appendix A of the Invitation to Tender. Extension of the tender submission deadline from Monday 7 September 2026 at 09:00 am (BST) to Friday 11 September at 17:00 (BST). All other dates remain unchanged unless Ofwat notifies Bidders otherwise through the MyTenders Portal.
Id
084033-2026

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
15,600,000
Amount
13,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Written Quality Responses
Description
Final award criteria applicable to shortlisted bidders: Understanding of Requirements (Question 1) – 15% Proposed Approach and Methodology (Question 2) – 17.5% Relevant Experience, Capability and Delivery Team (Question 3) – 17.5%

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
50
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Presentation and Interview Stage
Description
Evaluation of the bidder's Presentation and Interview Stage

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value
Description
Evaluation of the bidder's Social Value proposals in accordance with the Social Value question and evaluation methodology set out in the procurement documents.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Type
price
Name
Pricing Response
Description
Evaluation of the bidder's Price Response based on the weighted day-rate card methodology set out in the procurement documents. Scores will be determined using the blended evaluated rate and evaluation formula.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
The Bidder must have the legal capacity to perform the contract and comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Where applicable, the Bidder must demonstrate compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 obligations and confirm that it has the authority, governance arrangements and legal standing necessary to perform the contract. The Bidder must demonstrate sufficient economic and financial standing to perform the contract. The Bidder must confirm that: It is not subject to insolvency or analogous proceedings; Its most recent audited financial statements do not contain a qualified audit opinion or material uncertainty relating to going concern; and Its average annual turnover over its two most recently completed financial years was at least £5m. Ofwat reserves the right to verify supporting evidence prior to contract award.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
5 Nov 2026, 00:00
Ends
31 Jul 2030, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Jul 2031, 23:59

Renewal

Description
1 year optional extension period

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
79000000
Description
Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKL
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKF
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 4
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 5
Region
UKC
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 6
Region
UKD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 7
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 8
Region
UKK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 9
Region
UKG
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 10
Region
UKE
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
L-3
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
PROC.0298 - Appendix A - Terms and Conditions
Entry 2
Id
L-4
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
PROC.0298 - Invitation to Tender - Independent Monitor - Thames Water
Entry 3
Id
L-5
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
PROC.0298 - Appendix B - Instructions and Guidance to Bidders
Entry 4
Id
L-6
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
Schedule 3 Security Requirements (ICT10) within Appendix A - Terms and Conditions document
Entry 5
Id
L-7
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
Presentation and Interview Stage Instruction document
Entry 6
Id
L-8
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Description
"Note to Bidders" document, outlining small number of changes to the terms of the Independent Monitor Contract at Appendix A of the Invitation to Tender.
Entry 7
Id
future
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Access Details
Tender documents will be made available through the myTenders eProcurement portal.
Entry 8
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 9
Id
084033-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
4 Sept 2026, 15:58
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
Id
GB-PPON-PPCX-7855-VXBT

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PPCX-7855-VXBT

Address

Street Address
Centre City Tower
Locality
Birmingham
Postal Code
B5 4UA
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKG31

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Birmingham · UKG31 · B5 4UA · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKC · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKD · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKE · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKF · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKG · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKI · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKK · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKL · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

4 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

4 VERSIONS
  1. 072941-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 077856-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  3. 082272-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
  4. 084033-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·