Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Water
6 Buchanan Gate
Glasgow
G33 6FB
Contact
Amy Phllips
amy.phillips@scottishwater.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1414836585
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKM - Scotland
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.6) Main activity
Water
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Regulatory Assurance
Reference number
SW24/CON/1489
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This involves the assurance of Scottish Water's medium-term (SR27) business plan, covering the period from 2027 to 2033. The business plan will set out Scottish Waters investment plans together with the outcomes that we propose to deliver for our customers, communities and the environment, as well as the underlying evidence that we have prepared to support those plans. The information in Scottish Water's business plan submission will be used by the Water Industry Commission Scotland (WICS), Scottish Water's independent economic regulator, in the preparation of its Final Determination. While the business plan is Scottish Water's plan, WICS need to have confidence in the integrity of the data and commentary within it. If WICS have concerns over the impartiality or quality of the assurance report, this would undermine / reduce the value of the assurance to Scottish Water. Therefore, it is essential that the third-party assurance undertaken on the plan is completely impartial.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £250,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance
Scotlandwide
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Context
This involves the assurance of Scottish Water's medium-term (SR27) business plan, covering the period from 2027 to 2033. The business plan will set out Scottish Waters investment plans together with the outcomes that we propose to deliver for our customers, communities and the environment, as well as the underlying evidence that we have prepared to support those plans. The information in Scottish Water's business plan submission will be used by the Water Industry Commission Scotland (WICS), Scottish Water's independent economic regulator, in the preparation of its Final Determination. While the business plan is Scottish Water's plan, WICS need to have confidence in the integrity of the data and commentary within it. If WICS have concerns over the impartiality or quality of the assurance report, this would undermine / reduce the value of the assurance to Scottish Water. Therefore, it is essential that the third-party assurance undertaken on the plan is completely impartial.
The timelines for when the assurance work is required is between March and May 2025 for the draft business plan and between October and February 2026 for the final business plan. These dates are fixed due to the submission dates set out by WICS for both plans.
Areas which require assurance are:
• Draft and Final Business Plan Data tables, in particular examining whether Scottish Water has prepared these in line both the business plan guidance and definitions set out by WICS and that they are fully consistent with the accompanying commentary prepared by Scottish Water;
• Review of the robustness of the systems and processes used to produce the information;
• Identification of the key assumptions made by Scottish Water in preparing its data tables and review of the reasonableness and materiality of those assumptions; and
• Assurance of the accuracy, completeness and comprehensiveness of the data.
In addition, Scottish Water requires that its independent assurer:
• Is able to demonstrate that it is free from any conflicts of interest and/or that where any actual or perceived conflicts of interest may arise as a result of its appointment, that the assurer can put in place measures/arrangements to manage those conflicts of interest for the duration of the appointment;
• Is able to demonstrate the impartiality of its approach to the assurance of the business plan;
• Provides timely efficient feedback on the Draft Business plan to allow Scottish Water to make improvements in its data, evidence and/or processes ahead of the Final Business plan submission;
• Provide draft and final assurance reports to both Scottish Water and Water Industry Commission Scotland (WICS), setting out both the work that has been undertaken, any factors which prevented and/or impeded the assurer from undertaking its role as it might reasonably have expected, and the assurer's findings.
In addition to the above matters, there will be a requirement to engage directly with external stakeholders, including the WICS, to respond to questions on the draft and final assurance reports, including providing further explanation of the assurer's work, findings and/or other matters arising within the terms of reference of their appointment, as is reasonably required.
In order to facilitate the assurer in its role, Scottish Water shall grant the assurors any necessary and timely access to premises, assets, systems, data, working papers, other records and relevant personnel associated with the carrying out of Scottish Water's regulated activities. Scottish Water shall supply the assurors with any information relevant to the assurance process including all material assumptions underpinning the data submission as well as access between the assurors and the financial auditors.
Scottish Water shall not be required to do anything which is outside their control, or to do, or allow the assurors to do, anything which would materially disrupt Scottish Water's business.
Our requirements
The independent assurers should be able to demonstrate a track record in the following areas:
• Independent Third-Party Assurance provision for regulated businesses;
• Assurance for Business Plan submissions for regulated businesses;
• Experience of working with regulated water companies;
• Relevant knowledge of technical, commercial and regulatory aspects of the water sector.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £250,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
18
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.14) Additional information
To access this opportunity, please register using the following link: https://atamis-scottishwater.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_PublicLandingPage?SearchType=Projects
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
List and brief description of rules and criteria
See procurement documents for further information
three.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required
Scottish Water reserves the right to require deposits, guarantees, deposits, bonds or other forms of appropriate security.
three.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them
All prices quoted shall be Sterling (UK) and all payments shall be made in Sterling (UK). Payment shall be made on the basis of completed services in accordance with the agreed contract rates, schedules and conditions of contract.
three.1.8) Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded
In the event of a group of companies submitting an accepted offer, it will be necessary for each member of the group to sign an undertaking that each group member will be jointly and severally liable for the satisfactory performance of the contract.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
See Procurement Documents for further information
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
Framework agreement with a single operator
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
5 December 2024
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
To view this opportunity, please click this link: https://atamis-scottishwater.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_PublicLandingPage?SearchType=Projects
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Scottish Water
6 Buchanan Gate
Glasgow
G33 6FB
Country
United Kingdom