UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

We are working together to develop insights on customers' knowledge, actions and behaviour. This will inform our communications and policy work. The ITT is for quantitative research with household water customers (i.e. household water bill payers, not business customers). The survey will look at customer knowledge, engagement, actions and priorities in relation to water. This includes questions on how they use water, their understanding of the water industry and their water company, and their perceptions of this. Objectives: The objectives of this survey are: • Develop a strong evidence base for what household customers know, think and do in relation to water and the water sector - set this out in context of key indicators; • Provide evidence that can be analysed by England/Wales and a range of socio-demographics; • Develop questions that can be used for a longer-term tracker; • Be more than the sum of its parts: use cross analysis to better understand groups of customers and their similarities and differences. The survey should complement existing research. CCW conduct an annual 'Water Matters' survey. Questions should only be repeated on both surveys if they are particularly essential for cross-tabulations. Approach: We expect the research to include: 1. An online survey of approx. 15-20 minutes. The survey should consist of: • A nationally representative sample of at least 2,000 customers (bill payers or joint bill payers) in England and 500 customers in Wales. • A booster sample of 300 ethnic minority customers - including Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities. 2. A smaller telephone survey of 100 interviews among parts of the population who are less well represented online (the digitally excluded). The telephone survey for the digitally excluded would be broadly comparable to the online survey, but developed to draw out the perceptions and experiences of people who are digitally excluded, and the questions adapted where necessary to work well in a telephone format. The telephone sample should have good geographical coverage of England and Wales but would not be representative. The telephone survey is expected to be 15-20 minutes. Scope: The questionnaire is likely to include questions on: • Knowledge and engagement • Favourability and trust • Priorities for the services provided by water/sewerage companies • Awareness of and need for specific additional services provided by water companies • Behaviour - water use and disposal of things down the sink or toilet • Environmental priorities

Why RAPID, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water Yorkshire Water and Water Resources East are working collaboratively on this project? RAPID has established three working groups with fellow regulators and the industry to develop thinking on areas of the regulatory and commercial framework for strategic water resource solutions. One of the areas being considered by the Pricing, Incentives and Risk Working group is how different commercial models can accommodate multi-sector and multi-party projects. The proposal to undertake this study was an interim output from the working group. The development of a commercial model which provides a template for future multi-sector solutions has benefits for all of the above Project Partners. The Term of the Call-Off Contract will be for 6 months but it is envisaged that all work will be completed by around 3 months. We would expect the organisation(s) appointed to carry out the work would submit the following outputs as part of this engagement: • Desktop review of existing literature (including the documents listed above) • Set out any precedents within or beyond the UK that could be drawn upon to assist the development of a viable commercial model for multi-sector water resource assets • Carry out discussions with key stakeholders • Use the outcomes of these discussions to host a number of workshops to develop, test, and iterate the model - we envisage these workshops would be split into different interest groups: different commercial users of the water assets created such as the energy sector or agriculture sector, those with an interest in water being retained in the environment, and those who may be interested in financing such multi-sector approaches • Consider how the model would deal with different broad areas of benefits created, including where benefits conflict and risks borne: e.g. public water supply, other commercial interests, wider public or social value • Consider how customers could benefit from additional value created by such approaches and protected for additional risks • Consider the projected bill impact on current and future water company customers based upon a reasonable range of operational scenarios. • Produce an Interim report - mid October 2021 • Produce a Draft Final Report for comment - November 2021 • Deliver a Final Report, in a publishable format - December 2021 The policy arguments in favour of a multi-sector approach are already well known, so the appointed organisation(s) would not need to rehearse these. Additional information: Please note an error occurred in that PROC.01.0690 was duplicated so an 'a' is added to differentiate contract award publication notice. However, the Invitation To Tender was stated as PROC.01.0690.

The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of water infrastructure costs and ultimately create a framework or methodology for robust assessment and benchmarking of scheme costs. This should be applicable to infrastructure types currently being assessed through the gated process including: desalination plants, wastewater reuse plants, raw water reservoirs, raw/treated water transfers plus associated assets such as water treatment works, pumping stations and treated water service reservoirs. We expect this project to cover the following key areas: approaches and best practices for infrastructure cost estimation, historical cost data for relevant water resource assets and principles for their use, and cost benchmarking approaches. Proposed approaches should give consideration to accounting for emerging challenges such as carbon, nature-based solutions, and public value. The project may also cover any other areas or approaches that Supplier identifies as important or relevant, subject to prior agreement. 1. Principles for cost estimation 2. Benchmarking cost data and its use 3. Benchmarking approaches and models Apply using MyTenders e-procurement portal. Suppliers invited from Ofwat Consultancy Framework (OCF) Lot 1a: Regulatory Economics.

The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of water infrastructure costs and ultimately create a framework or methodology for robust assessment and benchmarking of scheme costs. This should be applicable to infrastructure types currently being assessed through the gated process including: desalination plants, wastewater reuse plants, raw water reservoirs, raw/treated water transfers plus associated assets such as water treatment works, pumping stations and treated water service reservoirs. We expect this project to cover the following key areas: approaches and best practices for infrastructure cost estimation, historical cost data for relevant water resource assets and principles for their use, and cost benchmarking approaches. Proposed approaches should give consideration to accounting for emerging challenges such as carbon, nature-based solutions, and public value. The project may also cover any other areas or approaches that Supplier identifies as important or relevant, subject to prior agreement. 1. Principles for cost estimation 2. Benchmarking cost data and its use 3. Benchmarking approaches and models Apply using MyTenders e-procurement portal. Suppliers invited from Ofwat Consultancy Framework (OCF) Lot 1a: Regulatory Economics.

Price review expertise v1

Price Review Expertise

Preference is to have 2 candidates from the same Supplier for ease of contract management but if not possible then will consider one from each Supplier. We would like to engage 2 interim junior economists for the RAPID cluster, shaping the commercial and regulatory frameworks for large strategic water supply projects such as new reservoirs and large-scale water trades between companies. This is an area where Ofwat is working in partnership with quality regulators and other Government bodies. Role expectations The development of nationally significant water supply infrastructure is a positive step towards ensuring resilient supplies of water. This requires new and innovative thinking around the way that we regulate water supply infrastructure. You will be responsible for: • Contributing to the development of the policy framework for how we regulate infrastructure projects under different commercial models to encourage the long-term development of water supply options; • Taking the lead on areas of the policy framework including the preparation of policy papers; • Preparing elements of the RAPID major consultation document due for publication at the end of 2021; • Providing economic analysis and advice to the RAPID commercial and regulatory team. We need highly motivated interim junior economists to help RAPID shape the commercial, regulatory and institutional arrangements that will have a tangible and meaningful impact on society for many generations to come. The successful candidates are expected to have a strong foundation in technical economic skills. The successful candidates will have excellent written and oral communication skills, policy development skills, and the ability to deliver against challenging deadlines. You will have a significant degree of autonomy and responsibility. You are expected to be a self-starter and to exercise your judgement responsibly in line with our strategy and ways of working. You will use your well-developed ability to communicate persuasively and engage with stakeholders, both internally and externally, including explaining economics concepts and thinking to non-technical audiences. These roles would suit junior economists seeking to apply their skills to a high profile and fast-developing area. Some of the key areas of work include: • Preparing elements of the RAPID major consultation due for publication by the end of 2021. • Leading on areas of the policy framework including drafting of policy papers. • Supporting the development of wider regulatory and commercial frameworks to support large scale multi-party infrastructure development. • Providing wider support of the RAPID team in delivering its forward programme and the interactions with other Ofwat clusters (primarily Performance and Outcomes and Company Performance and Price Reviews).

Ofwat and CCW are working together on this project to gain a better understanding of customers' experiences of sewer flooding in homes and/or gardens. Regulation of this focuses primarily on preventing sewer flooding from taking place. But it is also important to understand the service customers receive when it does occur. This contract is for qualitative research with household water customers who have experienced sewer flooding. The objectives of the research are: • Set out the range of experiences household customers face when they experience a sewer flooding incident - covering short, medium and longer term (depending on length of time between incident and interview). • Examine the responses of wastewater companies to sewer flooding incidents, looking at differences by type of sewer flooding incident and across companies. • Understand the responses of other companies to sewer flooding incidents (e.g. insurance companies) and the role of wastewater companies in this context. • Consider the levels of customer satisfaction in relation to company responses to sewer flooding incidents, and the reasons for this. • Identify good and bad practice. Approach: We expect the research to include: 1. Depth interviews with customers who have experienced sewer flooding in their home. • These interviews may be one-to-one depths or paired depths - depending on the circumstances and preferences of the household. • The interviews may be online or by telephone. • The interviews should include people with a mix of sewer flooding experiences (such as internal/external, single incident/multiple incident, mix of severity). 2. Online focus groups with some of the participants in the depth interviews: bringing together participants to consider good practice. Scope: The research must consider: • The human impact of sewer flooding on the household: what happened, the scale of the incident, the disruption caused, the impact on individuals in the household. • Response of, and interaction with, companies: which companies were involved in the incident; what was the role of the wastewater company, including: o How responsive was the company o What did the company do / what was the quality of the clean up o How well did the company communicate at different stages (e.g. when the incident first happened, and longer-term). • Whether the sewer flooding has been resolved, including measures that have been put in place to prevent repeat episodes, concerns that repeat incidences may take place. • The cost of sewer flooding incidents, including: who covered the costs (e.g. insurance); was any compensation received from the wastewater company; what was the financial costs for the household. • Overall, level of satisfaction with companies' responses to incidents and an understanding of what good practice looks like for such incidents. It should also consider any further relevant areas that will help Ofwat and CCW achieve our objectives. Apply using MyTenders portal.

Providing legal services to the DPC team on DPC projects and to assist in developing the wider framework for the delivery of these and future projects. In addition, some ad-hoc support for the Regulators Alliance for the Progression of Infrastructure Development (RAPID) team, in particular around the commercial arrangements attaching to the emerging policy framework for delivering RAPID projects. DPC • Reviewing the draft Project Agreements between the Appointee (water and sewerage undertakers appointed under the Water Industry Act 1991) and the CAP on the three current projects • Advising on legal issues that arise in relation to the three current projects, working alongside internal regulatory lawyers • Advising on the development of a standard approach to future contracts, to assist Appointees, bidders and Ofwat. • Advising our DPC and PR24 teams on the developing framework for DPC, particularly in relation to commercial or project finance issues. RAPID • Ad-hoc support for the RAPID team lawyers in relation to commercial / project issues as required. The services do not include the provision of any reserved legal services. The services will be provided for two days each week. The usual days on which services will be provided are Wednesday and Thursday. These days may be varied with the agreement of the contract manager. The services may, from time to time, be provided for additional time subject to the agreement of the contract manager.

Net zero investment mechanisms

strategic price review expertise

Strategic price review expertise

Strategic Price Review Expertise

Ofwat is commissioning a Contract for public opinion surveys. We expect the Contract to be used to deliver the following: • Survey One on environment, including storm overflows (causing sewage in rivers) There has been recent coverage on, and public concern about, the release of sewage into rivers by wastewater companies. This survey is to understand people's levels of awareness, concern, and trust in relation to the release of sewage into rivers. It should also cover wider environmental questions that relate to river quality - such as wet wipes and microplastics. The survey will be used to monitor changing views and preferences over time. Timeframe: We expect the first wave of this survey to be run and reported on between January-March 2022. We expect this survey will be repeated in 2022 and/or 2023. • Survey Two on value for money / cost of living Many customers are likely to face increased financial pressures over the next year. Costs of living are expected to rise - with rising energy bills, an increase to national insurance, and a rise in inflation. Water bills are also expected to rise for many customers. We are looking to monitor perceptions of water company bills over time. The research should include questions on awareness of current cost of water and other utility bills, whether water and utility bills are seen to offer value for money, understanding of what water bills include (and whether perceptions on value for money changes when information is provided on this), and trust in companies. Timeframe: We expect the first wave of this survey to be run and reported on between January-March 2022, and to be repeated in 2022 and/or 2023. • Other surveys We expect to use the Contract to commission other surveys of interest to Ofwat. Some of these surveys may be emerging issues that are specific to a particular location (for example, if there is particular flooding or water shortages in a particular part of England and Wales). We may also seek to commission surveys at fairly short notice. Apply using MyTenders e-procurement portal. Suppliers invited from Crown Commercial Service DPS Agreement (RM6018) Framework.

Impact evaluation

Growth Cost Report

This Invitation to Tender is to appoint a provider to conduct the fieldwork phase for the ODI rates research among household consumers and relevant non-household customers in England and Wales. The design phase of the research is currently being conducted by Accent/PJM Economics in collaboration with CCW, Ofwat, water companies and other stakeholders. We have consulted with companies and CCW on the drafting of this ITT. The successful provider chosen following this tender process will not be required to design the research.

Risk and Return Advice

Sitting in the Communications Team in the Regulatory Enablers cluster, this is an exciting position that will allow you to play an important role in improving Ofwat's approach to digital communications, including exploring new technologies and techniques, supporting Ofwat's goal to improve life through water. The successful candidate will bring fresh thinking and manage and improve our digital estate on a day-to-day basis, including the Ofwat website and social media channels. We are looking for someone with excellent understanding of digital channels and experience in managing a website and related digital services, including analytics, along with a good eye for visuals. A thorough understanding of social media in a corporate context is important, along with experience of developing and delivering digital campaigns. You will support the implementation of the brand and associated accessibility requirements across Ofwat and contribute to its development and application. You will be the lead contact across Ofwat for website content planning, design, editing and publishing. You will regularly interact and collaborate with teams across the business to plan and deliver their digital content on both the Ofwat website and social media. You'll develop strong and collaborative working relationships with not only colleagues across Ofwat but also with external suppliers, leading the way in enhancing our digital communication techniques.