Scope
Reference
FA2381
Description
Thames Water intends to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint suitably qualified suppliers to deliver site investigation surveys and associated deliverables across its operational area. The Framework will enable Thames Water (and, where applicable, permitted person and including main contractors) to call off individual surveys and/or programmes of surveys on an as‑needed basis during the Framework term.
This Framework is intended to cover both infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects, which may take place on Thames Water sites, private or public land, and/or within highways and road environments.
Thames Water reserves the right to refine the award criteria. Please note that that deadline for asking for access to the PSQ & submitting of the 5 March 2026.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £176,000,000 excluding VAT
- £211,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 30 June 2026 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 30 March 2034
- 7 years, 9 months, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 4 years with options to extend by 1 year or longer, up to a maximum overall term of 8 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The full scope of the services to be provided and any options that may be considered throughout the term of the agreement, is set out in the Specification issued within the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) document.
Main procurement category
Services
Contract locations
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. Above Ground Surveys
Description
Lot 1 covers delivery of above ground surveys and associated outputs to support feasibility, optioneering, design development, consents and construction planning across Thames Water's operational area. Surveys will be undertaken on live operational sites and project locations and delivered in line with the Standard Requirements for methodology, data, reporting and deliverables
Core survey types
Core means survey types you would expect to require on most commissions to establish a safe, buildable baseline for design, consents and construction planning
· Laser scanning
· Topographical surveys
· Drone surveys
· Measured building surveys
· Photogrammetry
Optional survey types
Optional means survey types required when triggered by site conditions, risk, stakeholder needs or a specific design decision, but they may be common for certain asset types
· LiDAR surveys
· Aerial photography
· 360 photo surveys
· Satellite surveys
· Mobile mapping
· Geodetic control
· Infrared (thermal) imaging
· Hydraulic surveys
· Hydrographic surveys including bathymetric
· Instrumentation and monitoring
· Structural and building condition surveys
· Land mapping
· GPS RTK
· Engineering
Lot value (estimated)
- £6,204,000 excluding VAT
- £7,444,800 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 38112100 - Global navigation and positioning systems (GPS or equivalent)
- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 79311000 - Survey services
Same for all lots
Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Below Ground Surveys
Description
Lot 2 covers below ground surveys focused on utility detection, mapping and condition assessment to support safe design and delivery and reduce strike and delay risk across Thames Water's operational area. Outputs will be provided in line with the Standard Requirements for methodology, data, reporting and deliverables
Core survey types
Core means survey types you would expect to require on most commissions to establish a safe, buildable baseline for design, consents and construction planning
• PAS 128 utility surveys (or a direct European equivalent)
• Detailed manhole surveys
• CCTV drainage surveys
• Electromagnetic locating or EM scanning
• High Density Array GPR
Optional survey types
Optional means survey types required when triggered by site conditions, risk, stakeholder needs or a specific design decision, but they may be common for certain asset types
• Cable identification
• Pumping station drop tests
• Bridge deck scanning
• Connection surveys
• Line and level surveys
• Concrete scanning
• Rebar scanning
• Chamber Scanning
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,488,000 excluding VAT
- £5,385,600 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 71352000 - Subsurface surveying services
- 71355000 - Surveying services
- 79311000 - Survey services
Same for all lots
Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Ground Investigation
Description
Lot 3 covers ground investigation services to support geotechnical and geoenvironmental understanding for design, consents and construction planning across Thames Water's operational area. Outputs will be delivered in line with the Standard Requirements, with appropriate safety, quality and data controls
Core survey types
Core means survey types you would expect to require on most commissions to establish a safe, buildable baseline for design, consents and construction planning
• Geotechnical and geoenvironmental ground investigation
• Electromagnetic (EM)
Optional survey types
Optional means survey types required when triggered by site conditions, risk, stakeholder needs or a specific design decision, but they may be common for certain asset types
• Microgravity surveys
• Vibration or acoustic surveys
• Metal detection
• Unexploded ordonnance (UXO) surveys
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,508,000 excluding VAT
- £3,009,600 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services
- 71351500 - Ground investigation services
- 71355000 - Surveying services
- 79311000 - Survey services
Same for all lots
Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Multidisciplinary Surveys
Description
Lot 4 covers integrated multidisciplinary survey programmes where Thames Water requires a single provider to plan, sequence and deliver surveys spanning multiple disciplines across Lots 1-3, producing consolidated outputs in line with the Standard Requirements for methodology, data, reporting and deliverables.
Lot value (estimated)
- £8,800,000 excluding VAT
- £10,560,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 38112100 - Global navigation and positioning systems (GPS or equivalent)
- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 79311000 - Survey services
Same for all lots
Contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Thames Water will establish a non exclusive Framework Agreement for the provision of site investigation surveys and associated deliverables, split into four Lots
• Lot 1 Above ground surveys
• Lot 2 Below ground surveys
• Lot 3 Ground Investigation
• Lot 4 Multidisciplinary surveys, combining requirements across Lots 1-3
The Framework will operate as a mechanism to appoint capable suppliers by Lot and then commission specific requirements via call-off contracts during the Framework term using a defined pricing and selection process.
Supplier appointment and governance
Suppliers will submit bids by Lot and will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology . Suppliers may bid for one or multiple Lots. Lot structure will be retained for governance and call-off eligibility, while enabling Thames Water to procure integrated requirements where needed (particularly under Lot 4).
Pricing approach under the Framework
Services will be priced using either an activity‑based schedule or a schedule of rates, depending on the value and complexity of the services required.
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Above Ground Surveys
Lot 2. Below Ground Surveys
Lot 3. Ground Investigation
Lot 4. Multidisciplinary Surveys
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 February 2026, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
5 March 2026, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
If you would like access to the PSQ documents, please fill out this form, thank you.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Techniqual | Quality | 60% |
| Commercial | Cost | 40% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
Suppliers will be invited to submit for PSQ, following which then are evaluated to confirm eligibility and shortlist bidders progressing to the ITN stage.
The ITN is then issued, followed by a clarification window so all bidders have consistent information before preparing submissions. Once ITN responses are received, Thames Water completes a full evaluation covering commercial, technical and legal aspects, and then down-selects to a smaller group for negotiation.
Negotiation and final clarification follow, giving suppliers the opportunity to improve and optimise their proposals where appropriate "this maybe more than 1 round".
The process concludes with internal approvals, contract finalisation and award. This approach is designed to be clear and proportionate for bidders, while allowing iterative engagement where it genuinely adds value and ensuring a transparent, value-focused selection process.
Contracting authority
THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
- Companies House: 02366661
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNQQ-4647-DTCV
Clearwater Court
Reading
RG1 8DB
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Organisation type: Private utility