✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 16 Oct 2026, 12:56.
Opportunity overview
Northumbrian Water are looking to appoint Specialist Advisory Services to support the development, procurement and mobilisation of major strategic infrastructure programmes, specifically related to the Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) / Specified Infrastructure Project Regulations (SIPR) pathways, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project.
The framework will provide access to specialist financial/commercial and legal advisors who will support the delivery of strategic infrastructure programmes through the provision of advisory services covering procurement strategy, commercial structuring, financial modelling and assurance, legal strategy, procurement law support, contract drafting, regulatory compliance and mobilisation support.
Classification
CPV66171000 — Financial consultancy services
CPV79100000 — Legal services
CPV79210000 — Accounting and auditing services
CPV79400000 — Business and management consultancy and related services
Lots
Financial & Commercial Advisory£50m · Including VAT
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
FA08-27
Status
active
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
How to submit
Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conducted electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water eSourcing Spend Management portal called 'Ariba' (https://s1.ariba.com).
Expressions of interest from this notice must be sent to the e-mail address amp8procurement@nwl.co.uk before the deadline date of 10th November 2026 at Midday. Once expression of interest has been received that contains the details below, applicants will be given access to the Ariba portal within 48 hours from request. This portal will contain all the tender documents associated with this procurement that are available at the time. An email link will also be provided to the email address you provide to access the portal. When sending expression of interest, applicants must provide the following information:
1) Full company name
2) Main contact details of the person who will be given access to the Ariba portal - Name, job title, E mail address and telephone number.
3) The Lot you are bidding for.
(The deadline for return of the completed Conditions of Participation is 16th November 2026 at Midday)
Stage 1: Invitation to Participate & Conditions of Participation (COP)
This stage begins with the issuing of a Tender Notice. Suppliers who have expressed interest will be invited to complete a Conditions of Participation questionnaire and submit their tenders.
The assessment of these responses will identify the top scoring 5 number of suppliers in each Lot to be invited to participate in Stage 2.
Stage 2: Invitation to Submit Initial Tenders
Suppliers who were shortlisted at Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2 to submit their tenders.
All tenders must be submitted in line with the Procurement Timetable and instructions contained in this document and any supplementary information provided.
After the tender deadline, NWL will assess all submissions using the process and award criteria outlined in the tender documents.
Supplier interviews will also be conducted as part of Stage 2 and will be assessed in accordance with the process and award criteria set out in the tender documents.
Stage 3: Supplier Interviews and Invitation to submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO)
After assessment of stage 2, suppliers will be invited to Stage 3 to participate in BAFO.
Best and Final Offers (BAFO) must also be submitted at this stage in accordance with the Procurement Timetable and instructions set out in the tender documents.
NWL will also consider whether any supplier (or associated entities relied upon to meet participation conditions) is an excluded or excludable supplier under the Act. If a supplier is excludable solely due to an associated supplier or subcontractor, NWL will notify them and provide a reasonable opportunity to replace that entity.
If NWL subsequently disregards a tender due to exclusion, or an associated entity is replaced, NWL will notify the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) within 30 days.
NWL will identify the most advantageous tender(s) in line with the stated methodology and disregard any tender from suppliers not meeting the Conditions of Participation. This assessment will identify the supplier(s) successful in each Lot.
Following this assessment, NWL will provide an assessment summary to all suppliers who submitted a tender including:
• whether they have been awarded a framework agreement,
• an explanation of how their tender was assessed against the award criteria, and
• information about the most advantageous tender where this differs from their own.
A Contract Award Notice will then be published on the Central Digital Platform to commence the mandatory standstill period.
Once the standstill period concludes, NWL will enter the preferred supplier stage with the selected supplier(s).
Stage 4: Preferred Supplier Stage
The highest scoring supplier(s) will be invited to engage with NWL within the limitations of the Act.
This stage concludes with NWL entering into the contract with the preferred supplier(s).
Special regime
utilities
Techniques
Has Framework Agreement
Yes
Framework Agreement
Maximum Participants
4
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
closed
Description
The pricing and selection process will be as per tender documents.
Submission terms
Electronic Submission Policy
allowed
Languages
en
Enquiry period
Ends
6 Nov 2026, 12:00
Expected award period
Ends
1 Jul 2027, 23:59
Lots and requirements
Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Financial & Commercial Advisory
Description
Provision of financial and commercial advisory services to support the development, procurement, contract award, and mobilisation of major infrastructure programmes. Services include financial strategy and modelling, commercial and delivery model development, procurement strategy and documentation, payment mechanism design, market engagement, bidder evaluation and negotiations, contract close activities, and associated assurance support. The appointed adviser will provide strategic support throughout the programme lifecycle and will work closely with the programme team, technical advisors and legal advisors.
The scope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models.
The intention is to appoint one supplier per lot, with the addition of one reserve supplier per lot to provide additional resilience, capacity and flexibility to support future programme requirements.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
Yes
Value
Including VAT
50,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
To be confirmed at ITT stage.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Quality
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Description
The top 5 ranked suppliers will progress to the tender stage for each Lot, with the intention of appointing 2 suppliers per Lot.
NWL reserve the right to take additional suppliers through to the next stage should scores be tied or within 1 percentage point away from the lowest scoring shortlisted contractor.
For Reduction
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Aug 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jul 2032, 23:59
Max Extent Date
1 Aug 2039, 00:59
Renewal
Description
Framework duration: 5 + 3 + 2 + 2
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 8 years:
Applicable to all lots:
It is the intention to award twelve (12) year framework agreements for the provision of these services. This duration is in recognition of the significant investment required from both the client and consultants to establish a long term framework that will provide NWL with a stable, compliant and scalable mechanism to access specialist advisory services throughout the development, procurement and mobilisation phases of major strategic infrastructure programmes.
Options
Description
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Legal Services
Description
Provision of legal advisory services to support major infrastructure procurement programmes, including legal strategy, procurement law, contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory compliance, land and planning matters, contract close and mobilisation activities, and corporate finance legal support. The appointed dviser will provide strategic legal support throughout the programme lifecycle and will work closely with the programme team, technical advisors and financial/commercial advisors.
The scope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models.
The intention is to appoint one supplier per lot, with the addition of one reserve supplier per lot to provide additional resilience, capacity and flexibility to support future programme requirements.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
Yes
Value
Including VAT
50,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
To be confirmed at ITT stage.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Quality
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Description
The top 5 ranked suppliers will progress to the tender stage for each Lot, with the intention of appointing 2 suppliers per Lot.
NWL reserve the right to take additional suppliers through to the next stage should scores be tied or within 1 percentage point away from the lowest scoring shortlisted contractor.
For Reduction
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Aug 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jul 2032, 23:59
Max Extent Date
1 Aug 2039, 00:59
Renewal
Description
Framework duration: 5 + 3 + 2 + 2
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 8 years:
Applicable to all lots:
It is the intention to award twelve (12) year framework agreements for the provision of these services. This duration is in recognition of the significant investment required from both the client and consultants to establish a long term framework that will provide NWL with a stable, compliant and scalable mechanism to access specialist advisory services throughout the development, procurement and mobilisation phases of major strategic infrastructure programmes.
Options
Description
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Items and delivery
Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1
Additional Classifications
Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
66171000
Description
Financial consultancy services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
79210000
Description
Accounting and auditing services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
79400000
Description
Business and management consultancy and related services
Buyer location · Pity Me · UKC14 · DH1 5FJ · United Kingdom
Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom
Notice and amendment history
3 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
3 VERSIONS
1
088949-2026Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ·
2
089978-2026Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ·
3
097837-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Northumbrian Water is seeking specialist advisory firms under a two-lot framework for major strategic infrastructure programmes, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project. Lot 1 covers financial and commercial advisory; Lot 2 covers legal advisory. Each lot is intended to appoint one supplier plus one reserve supplier.
Who this may suit
Suitable for firms providing specialist financial/commercial advisory or legal advisory for major infrastructure procurement, DPC and SIPR-related programmes.
Key points identified
Lot 1 scopeFinancial and commercial advisory services for major infrastructure programmes.Evidence: Lot 1: "Provision of financial and commercial advisory services to support the development, procurement, contract award, and mobilisation of major infrastructure programmes."
Lot 2 scopeLegal advisory services for major infrastructure procurement programmes.Evidence: Lot 2: "Provision of legal advisory services to support major infrastructure procurement programmes."
Delivery-model coverageScope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models.Evidence: Both lots state: "The scope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models."
97% approved-analysis confidence5 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Northumbrian Water is seeking specialist advisory firms under a two-lot framework for major strategic infrastructure programmes, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project. Lot 1 covers financial and commercial advisory; Lot 2 covers legal advisory. Each lot is intended to appoint one supplier plus one reserve supplier.
Who this may suit
Suitable for firms providing specialist financial/commercial advisory or legal advisory for major infrastructure procurement, DPC and SIPR-related programmes.
Key deliverables
Financial strategy, modelling, commercial structuring and assurance (Lot 1)
Procurement strategy, documentation, market engagement, evaluation and negotiations (Lot 1)
Legal strategy, procurement law, contract drafting and negotiation (Lot 2)
Regulatory compliance, land and planning matters, and corporate finance legal support (Lot 2)
Contract-close and mobilisation support (both lots)
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
5 criteria identified
Lot 1 scope
99% confidence
Financial and commercial advisory services for major infrastructure programmes.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1: "Provision of financial and commercial advisory services to support the development, procurement, contract award, and mobilisation of major infrastructure programmes."
Lot 2 scope
99% confidence
Legal advisory services for major infrastructure procurement programmes.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2: "Provision of legal advisory services to support major infrastructure procurement programmes."
Delivery-model coverage
99% confidence
Scope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models.
View supporting evidence
Both lots state: "The scope is agnostic to delivery model, including SIPR and DPC models."
Programme context
98% confidence
Advisory support relates to strategic infrastructure programmes, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project.
View supporting evidence
Description: "specifically related to the Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) / Specified Infrastructure Project Regulations (SIPR) pathways, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project."
Supplier eligibility conditions
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
No eligibility, economic/financial standing, technical-selection or exclusion conditions are supplied.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Maximum framework value
98% confidence
Up to GBP 100,000,000.
View supporting evidence
Process value_max: 100000000 GBP.
Lot 1 value
99% confidence
GBP 50,000,000.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 value_amount: 50000000 GBP.
Lot 2 value
99% confidence
GBP 50,000,000.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2 value_amount: 50000000 GBP.
Appointment model
99% confidence
Intention to appoint one supplier and one reserve supplier per lot.
View supporting evidence
Both lots state: "The intention is to appoint one supplier per lot, with the addition of one reserve supplier per lot."
Contract term and payment terms
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
No contract dates, duration, payment terms or pricing mechanism are supplied.
Delivery
Delivery geography
96% confidence
United Kingdom.
View supporting evidence
Delivery location: region "UK", country "United Kingdom".
Lot 1 lifecycle support
99% confidence
Development, procurement, contract award and mobilisation support.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 description explicitly covers "development, procurement, contract award, and mobilisation".
Lot 2 lifecycle support
97% confidence
Strategic legal support throughout the programme lifecycle.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2: "The appointed dviser will provide strategic legal support throughout the programme lifecycle."
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Opportunity status
99% confidence
Open tender.
View supporting evidence
Process display_status: "open"; stage: "tender"; notice type: "Tender notice on Find a Tender".
Procedure
99% confidence
Selective; competitive flexible procedure.
View supporting evidence
Process procurement_method: "selective"; procurement_method_details: "Competitive flexible procedure".
Submission deadline
99% confidence
6 November 2026, 12:00 UTC.
View supporting evidence
Process and both lots submission_deadline: "2026-11-06T12:00:00Z".
Tender start date
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
Process tender_start_at is null.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Specialist capability requirement
96% confidence
The framework spans specialist DPC/SIPR and major-infrastructure advisory; suppliers need evidence aligned to their chosen lot.
View supporting evidence
The description seeks "Specialist Advisory Services" for DPC/SIPR pathways; both lots require support for major infrastructure programmes.
Reserve-supplier arrangement
94% confidence
Appointment as reserve supplier may affect certainty of work allocation; call-off/allocation mechanics are not supplied.
View supporting evidence
Both lots intend "one reserve supplier per lot"; no call-off or allocation terms are provided.
Scope and terms outside supplied notice
99% confidence
Detailed selection criteria, framework terms, evaluation methodology, insurance, contract duration and pricing terms are unknown from the supplied data.
View supporting evidence
No such requirements or tender documents are included in the supplied opportunity data.
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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