Severn Trent Water has awarded an AMP8 framework contract for the supply of precast segmental smoothbore shaft linings with an estimated value of £50 million (excluding VAT) to a single supplier without first issuing a call for competition.

The framework is for the supply and manufacture of shaft linings for construction in new shaft tank storage solutions for infra and non-infra sites across the water company’s network.

Severn Trent Water explained that the absence of competition was for technical reasons - the works, supplies or services could be provided only by a particular supplier.

The water company undertook pre-market engagement through publication of an F04 notice. According to Severn Trent, the market engagement and subsequent assessment confirmed that only one supplier is currently capable of meeting the technical and operational requirements of the contract. No alternative suppliers demonstrated the capability to deliver the requirement, the company said, and it therefore intended to award the contract using the negotiated procedure without prior call for competition.

Severn Trent then published an optional F15 VEAT Notice on 11 August to provide additional transparency prior to the contract award.

The voluntary 10-calendar day standstill period has now concluded – Severn Trent has awarded the contract to FP McCann, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and Ireland of precast concrete solutions,

Severn Trent had specified that the diameter of available designed and stocked precast segmental smoothbore shaft linings should include - but was not limited - to an internal diameter range of 6m to 25m.

The utility also specified that features of the stocked product should include:

• Designed to relevant standards and regulations for water storing concrete structures suitable for wastewater.
• Proven design that has been fitted and in use in the UK Water Industry or equivalent industries
• Supplied product suitable for underpinning, caisson and chimney construction methods
• Supplied product to include appropriate jointing and sealing features to deliver a watertight structure