United Utilities has awarded an AMP8 contract for Sensors and Controllers to detect nitrous oxide in wastewater worth an estimated £2.4 million (inc VAT).
United Utilities has awarded the contract to a single supplier without competition for technical reasons – Denmark-based firm Unisense is described on the company’s website as the manufacturer of the world's only N2O wastewater sensor.
The water company said:
“Our market intelligence leads us to the conclusion there is only 1 suitable product on the market currently from Unisense.”
United Utilities were looking for 120 sensors for immediate deployment, along with appropriate fitments, controllers, pipe mounting equipment, cabling and calibration kits.
The utility’s initial requirement also specified the inclusion of consumables to run the sensors for 12 months.
United Utilities’ research showed that probe heads have a usable lifespan of 6 months – the company said there would likely be an ongoing requirement for spares and consumables for 5 years.
United Utilities are expecting the cost to come in at approximately £1 million based on the product set from Unisense over 12 months, with a consumables requirement of a further £1 million over the following 4 years.
Earliest date the contract will be signed is 15 August 2025 – current estimated start and end contract dates
are 16 September 2025 to 15 September 2030. There is a potential further extension option to 15 September 2035 – the contract can be extended in line with the regulatory cycle if there are still no other suppliers in the market
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