Northumbrian Water has outlined procurement plans to notify the market of an upcoming £100 million (inc VAT) tender opportunity to appoint Specialist Advisory Services to support the development, procurement and mobilisation of major strategic infrastructure programmes.
These include activities related to the Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) / Specified Infrastructure Project Regulations (SIPR) pathways, including the North Suffolk Reservoir Project.
No action is required from potential bidders at this time.
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 structurin
- financial modelling and assurance
- legal strategy
- procurement law support
- contract drafting
- regulatory compliance
- mobilisation support.
Procurement timetable:
- PQQ: Oct - Dec 2026
- ITT: Jan - Feb 2027
- Tender Evaluation: Mar - Apr 2027
- Interviews: Apr 2027
- Contract Award: Jul 2027
- Contract Implementation/Mobilisation: Jul 2027
Current estimated start and end contract dates are 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2032, with further possible extension options up to 31 July 2039.
Northumbrian Water’s intention is to award twelve year framework agreements for the provision of these services. The water company says the 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.
The contract will be tendered in two separate Lots as follows:
Lot 1. Financial & Commercial Services (£50 million including VAT)
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.
Lot 2. Legal Services (£50 million including VAT)
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 adviser 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.
Estimated publication date of a formal tender notice is 8 October 2026 with a deadline for requests to participate of 11:59pm on 2 November 2026.
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