Scope
Reference
Prj_7195
Description
The Andover Link Main (ALM) scheme is being delivered by Southern Water Services (SWS) under the Major Projects Directorate. The ALM project is part of the WRMP programme and is associated with SWS's agreement with the EA under Section 20 of the Water Resources Act 1991 put in place following Public Inquiry to reduce our abstraction licenses for public water supply. Its purpose is to provide environmental protection for the rivers Test and Itchen. The WRMP Programme aims to create greater resilience to water shortages, especially during dry weather and droughts. Existing abstraction licences for the River Test and River Itchen have been substantially reduced through changes required by the Environment Agency to protect the rivers, both designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the River Itchen as Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Additional licence changes will bring further reductions. These rivers are key examples of rare chalk stream habitat which support a wide variety of species. The Proposed Scheme will support environmental improvement by increasing the protection of these rivers while addressing the need for secure water supply.
The ALM scheme involves approximately 25km of below-ground pipeline connecting critical infrastructure between Winchester and Andover, alongside upgrades to existing and new booster stations. It aims to deliver a bi-directional transfer capacity of 15Ml/d by March 2030, ensuring both strategic drought resilience and operational reliability for the isolated Andover Water Resource Zone (WRZ).
SWS delivery strategy is to appoint a single Principal Contractor to design and build Andover Link Main, delivery to inclue detailed design and construction package with enabling work to be completed prior to construction. This will also include support to discharge planning conditions and submission of certain environmental consent and permits. The Principal Contractor will act as a Tier 1 provider and sub-contract specialist elements. Southern Water have developed the scheme proposal to early outline design and are planning to complete this phase of work to enable the design to be realkeased with the ITT, post participation stage. comprising a detailed design and construction package, with enabling work to be completed prior to construction. This will also include support to discharge planning conditions and submission of certain environmental consent and permits.
Total value (estimated)
- £70,000,000 excluding VAT
- £84,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 30 June 2026 to 31 January 2030
- 3 years, 7 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 45232150 - Works related to water-distribution pipelines
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Qualification criteria at Participation Stage will be shared when the tender is issued
Technical ability conditions of participation
Proven technical capabilty detailing experience of a similar scope and scale to Andover Link Main using case studies
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
26 September 2025
Enquiry deadline
10 October 2025, 11:59pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
27 October 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
If you are interested in bidding for this tender, please be aware that you will need to have registered on the central digital platform before you will be able to bid. This will require you to complete some information and then you will be provided with a unique identifier. For more information on how to register, please follow the below link:
You will also need to regiaster on SWS Jaggaer Sourcing Portal
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
20 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Criteria Headings % Methodology 20 Programme 20 Cost Management 20 Stakeholder Engagement 10 Team 10 Digital 10 Local Skills & Employment 10 |
Quality | 50% |
| Commercial | Activity Schedule to define target cost |
Cost | 50% |
Other information
Payment terms
TBC
Description of risks to contract performance
TBC
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Competitive flexible procedure description
To be finalised but it is anticpated:
Participation Stage and shorlisting to ITT
ITT stage 1 to include Interim assesment and shortlisting to ITT stage 2
ITT stage 2 Final Tenders (BAFO) and negotiations
Preferred Supplier Stage
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
On SWS Sourcing Portal Jaggaer https://southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk/
Contracting authority
GB-PPON-PBJQ-2231-ZRPG
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBJQ-2231-ZRPG
Southern Water, Southern House
Worthing
Bn13 3NX
United Kingdom
Contact name: Kirsty Lodge
Telephone: +447526977364
Email: Kirsty.Lodge@southernwater.co.uk
Website: http://www.southernwater.co.uk
Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)
Organisation type: Private utility