Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Reading
RG18DB
Contact
Thames Water
procurement.support.centre@thameswater.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ11 - Berkshire
Companies House
02366661
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/
one.6) Main activity
Water
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Strategic Resource Options: Technical Partners (TP) Framework
Reference number
FA2050
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71800000 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste consultancy
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL) sought Technical Partners to support the delivery of its Strategic Resource Options Programme.
This is the first phase of a longer-term strategy to establish the professional services supply chain that TWUL needs to support its wider business.
TWUL's current portfolio of SRO projects includes, but is not limited to, the Southeast Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), Severn to Thames Transfer (STT), London Water Recycling (LWR) projects, Thames to Affinity Transfer (T2AT) and Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST).
Further information, including RAPID Gate 1 and 2 reports, can be found on this link: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/rapid/the-rapid-gated-process/
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 65000000 - Public utilities
- 71200000 - Architectural and related services
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 71400000 - Urban planning and landscape architectural services
- 71500000 - Construction-related services
- 71800000 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste consultancy
- 73220000 - Development consultancy services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 90713100 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste-water other than for construction
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK: United Kingdom.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWUL) Strategic Resource Options (SRO) - Technical Partners (TP) Framework.
TWUL's current portfolio of SRO projects includes, but is not limited to, the Southeast Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), Severn to Thames Transfer (STT), London Water Recycling (LWR) projects, Thames to Affinity Transfer (T2AT) and Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST). Further information, including RAPID Gate 1 and 2 reports, can be found on this link: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/rapid/the-rapid-gated-process/
TWUL has established a TP framework reference FA2050 primarily to support its SRO program. This is the first phase of a longer-term procurement strategy to establish the professional services supply chain that TWUL needs to support its wider business. This procurement was for the TP Framework only and relates to Phase 1 of the strategy. Existing TWUL professional services frameworks are not impacted by the procurements outlined in this notice. The three consortia appointed to the framework are:
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd & Binnies UK Ltd (JV1)
AtkinsRealis UK Ltd & Stantec UK Limited (JV2)
Jacobs U.K. Limited & Mott MacDonald Limited (JV3)
The successful TP Consultants will interface with several other partners that are in the process of being procured separately to support the SRO Programme as it develops.
TWUL procured leading expertise within the key disciplines outlined below to accelerate the delivery of this high-profile programme.
The TP will need to demonstrate extensive experience in the development and support the delivery of large complex infrastructure schemes in the current UK planning environment. This includes being able to provide strong leadership, excellent technical capability, and proven expertise in supporting the delivery of large pipelines, reservoirs, water recycling and transfer facilities. Furthermore, the TP will need to provide technical expertise to manage all aspects of preliminary design and managing the pre application engagement with the Planning Inspectorate and develop/manage the planning application (likely to be a Development Consent Order (DCO)) including stakeholder engagement and all elements of the pre consultation and planning application processes. The TP framework agreement has been awarded under the NEC4 Professional Services Contract Option E with amendments. Provision will be made in the call-off contracts for utilisation of Option A, C and E.
TWUL intends to award the first work package from the TP framework agreement immediately following the appointment of framework suppliers and are preparing for the tender launch shortly It is our intention that appointment as a technical partner to one or multiple SRO projects will be for the duration of that particular project. This approach is due to the complexity and phasing of projects within the SRO programme. The risk of disruption and inefficiency that would be caused through multiple handovers between Technical Partners during a project is high and would be sub optimal for TWUL. Our intention is that the parties to the Framework compete for the role of TP for a specific project via an initial mini competition and that subject to performance, capability and capacity, the successful party will be the technical partner for the duration of the particular project.
Sufficient information will be included in the mini-competition tender pack to enable bidders to prepare solutions for the potential services that may be required by TWUL. The scope of initial mini competitions will be construed widely to enable our approach and all parties wishing to compete will have the appropriate opportunity to seek clarification on the breadth, depth and operation of the resulting call off contract(s).
The duration of the TP framework will be up to 8 years and is required to support a regulated delivery schedule. It is intended that the successful TP at call-off will cover the development phase into the mobilisation of the future Delivery Partner(s) in the detailed design and construction phase.
The TP framework scope comprises, but is not limited to, the following high level service categories:
• General Technical Partner Support Services
• Engineering and Design Services
• Environmental Services
• Planning Services
• Land Services
• Engagement Services
• Project Management, Program, Risk and Cost Activities
• Consultation Response Analysis
• Events Management
TWUL reserves the right to procure any of the services listed above as separate contracts and/or frameworks as part of separate and independent procurements.
TWUL is working with several partners, including other water companies to develop and deliver the SROs. Furthermore, depending on the commercial and procurement strategies for delivery of these projects TWUL may transfer or novate the benefit and the burden of call-off contracts made under this Framework Agreement:
*To any funder, security trustee or security holder without the consent of the Consultant; and
*To any other person with the consent of the Consultant, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
This Framework Agreement shall come into force on the Commencement Date and shall (except as expressly provided otherwise in this Framework Agreement) continue in force for a period of 3 years (the "Initial Term"). TWUL shall be entitled, at its option to extend this Framework Agreement, on one or more occasions by giving not less than one month's notice to the Consultants prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the expiry of any extension as the case may be, provided that the duration of this Framework Agreement shall not exceed a maximum duration of 8 years unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties and provided that eight (8) years shall only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances duly justified.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-018606
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
FA2050
Title
Technical Partner Consultancy Services to the SRO Programme
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 February 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (JV1)
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
1312453
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Binnies UK Ltd (JV1)
Surrey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
3163649
The contractor is an SME
No
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
FA2050
Title
Technical Partner Consultancy Services to the SRO Programme
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 February 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
AtkinsRealis UK Ltd (JV2)
Surrey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
688424
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Stantec UK Limited (JV2)
Surrey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
01188070
The contractor is an SME
No
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
FA2050
Title
Technical Partner Consultancy Services to the SRO Programme
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 February 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Jacobs U.K. Limited (JV3)
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
02594504
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Mott MacDonald Limited (JV3)
Croydon
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
1243967
The contractor is an SME
No
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Note that the TP's client may be Thames Water Utilities Ltd or another company within the Kemble Water group structure.
The Framework Agreement and associated call-off contracts will be governed by the Law of England and Wales.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Thames Water Utilities Limited
Reading
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Thames Water Utilities Limited has undertaken a standstill period at the point that information on the award of the contract was communicated to tenderers. That notification provided full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which was for a minimum of 10 calendar days, concluded successfully without any challenge.
The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (SI 2016 No 274) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).