Severn Trent has gone out to tender with an AMP8 contract for the design and supply of two sludge drying units for deployment at two sites with an estimated total value of £18 million (inc VAT).

Current estimated start and end contract dates are 30 April 2026 to 1 April 2030 with a further possible extension option to 1 April 2034

The framework will operate for an initial period of four years, with further options to extend the contract up to a further four years.

Under the framework, Severn Trent will call off requirements from the appointed supplier using the Form of Order process set out in the Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions. Each call-off will specify scope, pricing, and delivery requirements and will become binding upon acceptance by both parties.

Deadline to submit enquiries about the tender is 2:00pm on 11 December 2025 and the tender submission deadline is 2:00pm on 6 January 2026. The award decision is expected at the end of April 2026.

Four weeks ago Severn Trent sought more supply chain input on the design and supply of sludge drying units for deployment at two separate sites and invited interested suppliers to provide additional information on issues including:

• Dryer sizing for evaporation rates
• Sludge cake transfer method
• Loading
• Heat source temp
• Exhaust air flow rate
• Condensate flow rate

The competitive, multi-stage tender consists of the following stages:

Stage 1: Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ):

The PQQ stage is designed to help Severn Trent Water (STW) identify and shortlist tenderers who meet the minimum capability and compliance requirements for the scope outlined below. Tenmders must ensure that all questions in the PQQ documentation are completed in full.

Stage 2: Request for Proposal (RFP)

Shortlisted tenderers from the PQQ stage will be invited to submit detailed proposals on how they will deliver the requirement. These proposals will be evaluated and scored to determine the supplier offering the best overall value for the contract.

Pricing will be evaluated based on information provided in the Pricing Matrix. The totals from the evaluated worksheets will be consolidated into a Summary table, which will provide an overall price for comparison. The bidder offering the most advantageous price will be considered for award of the call-off contract.

Following the RFP stage, Severn Trent will conduct clarification meetings and supplier presentations with the final two shortlisted bidders to ensure a full understanding of their proposals and to clarify any aspects of the submissions. Severn Trent also reserves the right to hold negotiation meetings with shortlisted bidders as part of the tender process.

Following these activities, Severn Trent reserves the right to conduct negotiations in accordance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. Following negotiations, bidders may be invited to submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). The BAFO stage provides bidders with the opportunity to refine their proposals based on clarifications, presentations, and negotiations.

Address for submissions, further information and any special instructions is: https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/23599907