UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

NWL are looking to appoint suppliers to provide general steel fabrication services to support the delivery of the capital investment programme. Suppliers will ensure projects are being delivered in the most efficient manner, with a suitable and sustainable commercial model driving value for the business. NWL are always looking at how we can use innovation in both working methods and technology while striving to reduce our carbon footprint and we will expect any successful applicants to help us achieve this. This framework will be split into two sublots: - Lot 1A Northumbrian Water Operating Region - Lot 1B Essex & Suffolk Operating Region Scope: The steel fabrication services framework includes general steel fabrication and covers wide and diverse areas and asset bases including the following: • Operational Sites eg Sewage and Water Treatment Works, Pumping Stations, Reservoir Sites • Office and Laboratory Buildings (low probability of works on these sites but there may be an adhoc requirement) • Leisure Facilities eg Kielder and Hanningfield Reservoirs The main work disciplines/work types are general steel fabrication services including the design, supply, manufacture, fabrication, galvanising, delivery, offloading, distribution, placement, installation, site supervision and documentation associated with the below: • Ladders • Handrails • Spring loaded gates • Gantries • Steps • Open Mesh Flooring • Bespoke covers • Chequer plate covers • Toe plates • Platforms • Walkways • Companionways • Bespoke Louvres • Steelwork Access Platforms including Stairs • Pipe Supports • Pipe Bridges • GMS Chequer Plate Flooring • Handrailing and Kickplates • Wall Restraint Steelwork • Launder Trough and Hoppers • Pumping Station Access • Debris Screens • Stainless Steel Electrical Panel Boxes • Bespoke Fabrications to suit COPA Sac Installations • Stainless Steel Containment for Boreholes • MCC Support Steelwork • Bespoke Fabricated Pump Chamber/Tank As well as: • On site welding • On site burning • On site repairs to existing structures • On site modifications to existing structures This is not an exhausted list and other steel products not listed could be requested through the successful contractors.

NW2964 - Microsoft 365, AI and Intelligent Automation Partner Framework Agreement Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) provides essential water and wastewater services to 2.7 million customers across the North East of England and drinking water services to over 2 million customers in Essex and Suffolk. Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) has a strategic ambition to become the world's most digitally enabled water company and continues to invest significantly in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intelligent Automation, Data & Analytics and associated cloud technologies to support this ambition. Our digital strategy is focused on maximising business value from these technologies through improved productivity, collaboration, operational efficiency, automation and data-driven decision-making. As the Microsoft technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, NWG requires access to a broad range of specialist expertise to support advisory services, architecture, design, implementation, optimisation, governance, adoption, change management and ongoing innovation across its Microsoft estate. This demand is expected to vary over time and will require the ability to access both strategic advisory capability and specialist technical resources across multiple disciplines. To support these requirements, NWG intends to establish a multi-supplier (up to 10 suppliers ultimately appointed in total, reserving the right to appoint a different amount subject to suppliers meeting relevant quality thresholds) Microsoft 365, AI and Intelligent Automation Framework Agreement (or framework). The Framework terms shall be 3 years with options to extend for 3+1+1 years (up to 8 years in total). The total forecasted spend under the Framework is estimated at up to £900,000 pa, equating to an estimated total potential spend of up to £7,200,000 over the full 8-year framework lifecycle. The framework will create a panel of pre-qualified partners with proven expertise across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot, AI, Intelligent Automation, Azure, Data & Analytics and related technologies. This will provide NWG with a flexible and compliant mechanism to engage specialist partners through future call-off engagements and mini-competitions as business needs arise. The framework is intended to establish long-term strategic partnerships rather than transactional supplier relationships. By appointing multiple partners, NWG will have access to a diverse range of skills, capacity and innovation capabilities, enabling the organisation to quickly respond to changing business priorities while maintaining consistency in governance, delivery standards and value for money. Implementation is expected to take approximately six weeks following contract award, with a planned go-live date of February 2027. Future capability areas may be introduced during the lifetime of the framework in response to emerging technologies and evolving business priorities. Target Contract Start date 01/02/2027.

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) is approaching the first breakpoint in the existing Strategic Commercial Partner (FA07-02B) framework. The framework has been in place since 1st April 2023, for an initial period of 4 years. NWG are reviewing options going forwards from 1st April 2027. As part of the framework review, NWG are seeking to gauge market interest from external suppliers. NWG are interested in understanding wider market capacity and capability to provide commercial, contract management and project support services across Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water. The services are required to support AMP8 and AMP9 delivery, including the Living Water Enterprise, Integrated Delivery Services and Major Projects. The scope may include (but not limited to) NEC contract management, cost and value management, commercial assurance, risk management, programme support, specialist advisory support and cost intelligence support. Suppliers are expected to offer flexible, scalable resourcing solutions that can support both strategic and project-level delivery to meet programme demands across both regions. NWG welcomes interest from organisations of all sizes, including suppliers who may not currently operate within the water sector or who do not have large established delivery teams. NWG are keen to hear from organisations that can demonstrate strong commercial, project delivery or infrastructure experience, innovative approaches to resource mobilisation, and the capability to integrate effectively within collaborative delivery environments. Sector-specific experience is not considered essential where suppliers can evidence transferable skills, capability and a commitment to understanding our operating environment. This market engagement exercise is intended to assess market appetite, capability and capacity ahead of a potential procurement. Feedback will help shape the future scope, delivery model and procurement strategy, and no commitment is being made to proceed with a formal tender at this stage.

Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) is seeking market engagement with suppliers capable of delivering an RFID-based sample tracking solution for use within its laboratory operations. The initial requirement is for a Proof of Concept (PoC) at one NWL laboratory site to assess the feasibility of replacing elements of the current barcode-based sample tracking process with RFID technology. The PoC will evaluate operational benefits, integration requirements and overall suitability before any decision is made regarding wider deployment across NWL's laboratory network. The anticipated scope includes: • Assessment of infrastructure and technology requirements to support RFID-based sample tracking. • Provision of RFID tags, RFID-enabled printing capability, fixed and handheld scanning devices, and supporting software. • Installation and configuration of PoC equipment at one laboratory. • Definition of integration requirements with NWL's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Thermo SampleManager. • Support for test scenarios covering sample receipt, transfer, tracking and traceability processes. • Production of recommendations for future implementation should the PoC demonstrate a viable business case. NWL currently envisages a future solution being capable of: • Printing RFID labels across multiple operational sites. • Integrating with Thermo SampleManager to maintain sample information and status updates. • Simultaneously scanning large volumes of sample bottles (target capability of at least 500 bottles at fixed scanning points). • Supporting handheld scanning throughout laboratory facilities and sampling operations. • Providing robust operation within laboratory environments, including cold storage areas and conditions involving moisture and chemical exposure. • Supporting future expansion opportunities, including chain-of-custody tracking, storage monitoring, inventory management and asset tracking. The PoC will be assessed against a range of success criteria, including: • Improved sample traceability and reduced risk of lost or misplaced samples. • Reduction in unreadable labels and manual data entry. • Improved efficiency of sample receipt and processing activities. • Reliable integration with existing systems. • High levels of data security, availability and performance. • Scalability to support future deployment across multiple laboratory sites. Suppliers with relevant experience and capability are invited to submit expressions of interest together with product literature, service overviews, case studies, technical specifications and any other supporting collateral that may assist NWL in understanding available market solutions. Submissions and clarification questions should be sent to [email protected]. NWL may contact suppliers to request further information, clarification or follow-up discussions where appropriate. Following completion of this preliminary market engagement exercise, NWL intends to undertake a competitive procurement process informed by the findings of the engagement and associated PoC activities.