United Utilities has set out details of a planned procurement for a Water Industry Fittings framework, predominantly focused on mechanical fittings for purposes of connection and maintenance, with a total estimated value £68.4 million including VAT.

The tender, spanning AMPs 8 and 9, will be for the purpose of awarding tri-partite framework agreements with successful contractors, with multiple contractors on each Lot.

Scope includes the design, manufacture, delivery to and off-loading at site, provision of drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, technical data sheets and factory test certification. The scope covers the supply and delivery of Mechanical Fittings for sizes ranging from 80mm – 1200mm (3 inch – 48 inch).

The tender will consist of five Lots, each with specific core product ranges within to form a categorised lotting structure as follows:

Lot 1 Mechanical Couplings & Connection Fittings

Fittings types covered are:

• Adapters
• Couplings
• Reducers / Step Couplings
• Bushes
• Under Pressure Tees
• Flanges
• Dismantling Joints

Lot 2 Mechanical Repair & Maintenance Fittings

Fittings types covered are:

• Repair Clamps & Taps
• Encapsulation Collars
• Hydrant Clamps

Lot 3 Ferrules and Saddles Fittings

To include fixed and adjustable products, pipe saddles and ferrules suitable for connecting service mains of copper or PE to distribution mains manufactured in the following materials and of various sizes, both metric and imperial:

• PE 80
• asbestos cement
• PE 100
• ductile iron
• PVC-u
• cast iron
• PVC-A
• PVC-O

Lot 4 Plastic Service Fittings

Fittings types covered are service fittings such as nipples, bushes, spacers, adaptors, tees and elbows predominantly small sizes for the purposes of repair and swap outs. The fittings are required in Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP), bronze fittings will be deemed to be included under this lot but are expected to be a small element.

Lot 5 Mechanical Bespoke and Fabricated Fittings

Fittings type covered are bespoke products for the purposes of a specific need, usually for repair or overhaul work whereby an off-the-shelf product does not exist.

This Lot requires specific expertise from contractors who have the capability and capacity to assess, design and fabricate products rather than providing ready made products. This specification is for fabrication of mechanical pipe fittings, which has been issued to provide a universal series of requirements to procure mechanical fittings for both clean water and wastewater contracts.

It will provide a fast and efficient fabrication service for mechanical fittings whose outside diameters may fall outside British Standard sizes. The service will be required to be available 24 hours per day, 365 days per annum.

Current estimated start and end contract dates are 31 March 2027 to 31 March 2032, with further possible extension options up to 31 March 2037.

For the framework operation, prices will be based on submitted pricing during the tender process and fixed for a period of time, then subject to an annual pricing mechanism linked to market indices based upon metal, labour and inflation. Work will be allocated on a call-off process under the framework agreement

Estimated publication date of a tender notice is currently 6 October 2026 and the deadline to submit enquiries about the tender 4:00pm on 2 October 2026.

Tender submission deadline is currently 4:00pm on 31 March 2027 and estimated award decision date is also stated as 31 March 2027.

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