Scope
Description
United Utilities have a requirement for external procurement and commercial support, to assist with a significant bow wave of sourcing and negotiation activity that require immediate mobilisation.
A full assessment of future resource has been undertaken, which confirms that short term external support is essential but once this activity concludes any further resource support / requirements are expected to be delivered through a combination of recruitment and competitions issued through the Management Consultancy Dynamic Market (current live opportunity).
The activity is critical to mitigate procurement and compliance risk, drive measurable commercial value, and support the delivery of new procurements across Bioresources, Fleet, Energy, Chemicals, Wastewater, Scientific Services, and other strategic categories.
This award is for the fully managed delivery of 6 high-impact initiatives, with some advisory support, and the supplier will need to work with United Utilities' internal team to ensure a timely execution of said initiatives.
Deliverables include:
• Category strategy development and preparing sourcing documentation
• Tender execution and supplier evaluation
• Negotiation planning and award recommendations
• Contracting support and handover materials
• Strategic advisory input for client-led sourcing activity
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,300,000 excluding VAT
- £1,560,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
26 August 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
8 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 9 September 2025 to 8 August 2026
- 11 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79418000 - Procurement consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKD - North West (England)
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
This direct award is being made under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, based on urgency as set out in Schedule 5, paragraph 12.
The authority has an immediate and time-critical requirement to ensure continuity of services which are essential to the delivery of statutory and business critical functions. No existing framework agreement is in place which could practicably be used to meet the requirement within the time available.
Failure to act would create significant operational costs and service delivery risks for United Utilities. In this circumstance, a direct award to Efficio represents a viable option to maintain continuity of services pending completion of a longer-term solution.
That longer term solution being the live procurement of PRO004901-Management Consultancy Dynamic Market which will go live in October 2025 following the conclusion of the procurement process.
This contract is being awarded strictly due to the time-limited requirements; however, future requirements of this kind will be suited to PRO004901-Management Consultancy Dynamic Market. Once this Dynamic Market is live, requirements of this nature will be issued in accordance with said agreement.
Supplier
EFFICIO LIMITED
- Companies House: 04010379
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHXX-5468-LGYX
Kinnaird House
London
SW1Y 5AU
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED
- Companies House: 02366678
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVVB-5589-BWHX
Haweswater House, Lingley Green Avenue
Great Sankey
WA5 3LP
United Kingdom
Region: UKD61 - Warrington
Organisation type: Private utility