United Utilities has gone out to tender with an AMP8 framework contract for commissioning services with an estimated value of £63 million (inc VAT).
United Utilities are seeking to procure competent commissioning resources to ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards and alignment with United Utilities' strategic goals, including innovation, sustainability, and workforce development.
The utility requires the provision of resources across all phases of commissioning.The water company is looking to deliver flexibility to meet varying project demands and timelines and promote cost-effectiveness through a structured and scalable approach, whilst supporting the development of internal expertise through knowledge transfer, training, and hands-on support.
Current estimated start and end contract dates are 27 February 2026 to 26 February 2031 with a possible further extension option to 26 February 2036
The contract is being tendered in the following Lots:
Lot 1 - Commissioning Delivery Services (£45 million)
Provision of resources across all phases of commissioning, including:
- Planning and Preparation Development of commissioning plans and strategies
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Resource planning and mobilisation
- Execution Systematic testing and verification of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and automation (MEICA) systems
- Functional performance testing and integration of systems
- Issue resolution during commissioning activities
- Handover and Documentation Preparation of handover documentation and reports
- Training and knowledge transfer to operational teams
- Closeout of commissioning defects
- Specialist Expertise - Process optimisation and troubleshooting
- Commissioning of water and wastewater treatment processes
- Commissioning of Better Rivers Spill reduction projects
- Commissioning of Bioresource projects
- Digital integration and smart technology commissioning
- Upskilling and Onboarding – Providing structured training sessions for United Utilities' internal commissioning team
- Facilitating knowledge transfer through mentoring and shadowing opportunities
- Supporting the integration and development of new internal team members
- Delivering workshops and hands-on support to ensure alignment with industry best practices and United Utilities' standards
- Commissioning, testing and Integration of telemetry systems
.
Lot 2 - Commissioning Resource Support ( £18 million)
Provision of resources across all phases of commissioning including:
- Planning and Preparation Development of commissioning plans and strategies
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Resource planning and mobilisation
- Execution Systematic testing and verification of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, and automation (MEICA) systems.
- Functional performance testing and integration of systems
- Issue resolution during commissioning activities.
- Handover and Documentation Preparation of handover documentation and reports
- Closeout of commissioning defects
- Specialist Expertise - Process optimisation and troubleshooting
- Digital integration and smart technology commissioning
- Commissioning, testing and Integration of telemetry systems
The water company is looking to appoint an unlimited number of suppliers to the framework. However, suppliers will only be allowed to bid for a single Lot.
In terms of how the framework will operate, prices will be based on commercial submission conformed in the framework. Contracts awarded by the water company when using the framework with be made either with or without competition. Work will be awarded in one of the following ways:-
- Direct Award
- Pre Allocated Work bank
- Mini Competition
United Utilities currently expects to make its award decision in February 2026.
Deadline to submit enquiries about the tender is 12:00pm on 13 October 2025 and tender submission deadline is 12:00pm on 17 October 2025.
Click here for more information, the submission address for the framework and any special instructions
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