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Published 21 Aug 2025, 14:52 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Collection & Recovery Services

Official notice

Authority: Southern Water Services Limited (Public body)

Open framework scheme4 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitable
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: UK
Framework ceiling (notional)£40,000,000total for 4 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 4 Mar 2026awarded 9 Jun 2026
Awarded to Advantis Credit Limited +4 more
Framework period 4 yrsends 28 Nov 2030 · up to 28 Nov 2034 with extensions · starts 28 Nov 2026

What is being bought4 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

We are seeking to establish a new Collections & Recovery Services Framework that supports a redesigned operating model. This framework will be flexible, scalable, and adaptable, enabling innovation and continuous improvement in line with evolving business needs.

The procurement will be conducted in full compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, and aims to deliver:

Cost efficiency and value for money

Enhanced recovery outcomes

Improved customer experience

The new approach will modernise our debt recovery strategy by:

Introducing early-stage digital collection solutions to reduce default rates

Enabling proactive customer engagement earlier in the recovery journey

Maximising return on investment (ROI) through smarter, data-driven interventions

Suppliers will be expected to demonstrate capability in delivering effective, customer-centric recovery solutions that align with our strategic goals and regulatory obligations.

  • How the procedure runs: Southern Water will run a Competitive Flexible Procedure that begins with an initial PQQ shortlisting, followed by the ITT stage where technical and commercial submissions are evaluated. Multiple tendering rounds may be used, including clarification stages, presentations, and a commercial re‑submission (BAFO). Throughout the process, SWS may negotiate with bidders to refine proposals, clarify delivery approaches, and adjust or further define the award criteria where permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. Each round will be used to progressively test capability, improve value for money, and differentiate suppliers, leading to final moderated scoring and selection of the highest‑ranked bidder(s) for each Lot.

CPV: Collection agency services · Legal services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs
call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
Framework period
4 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 28 Nov 2026
Scheme runs until
28 Nov 2034
Published description of the framework

Orders under the Framework Agreement will only be awarded where the Supplier continues to meet key conditions, including satisfactory performance against all contractual requirements and service levels, no adverse change in financial standing, ownership or operational capability, continued maintenance of required insurances, and compliance with any parent company guarantee or performance bond obligations.

For Lot 1, Southern Water will award Orders on a 50/50 allocation split between the two appointed suppliers, subject to ongoing compliance with the above conditions.

For Lots 2, 3 and 4, Orders will be placed via direct award to the sole appointed supplier for each Lot, provided these conditions continue to be met. Southern Water may choose not to award any Order if a Supplier breaches any of the required conditions.

Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure

4 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lot

Every one of these 4 lots carries the same published figure, £40,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Digital & Engagement CollectionsAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Nov 2034 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Southern Water may extend the Framework Agreement beyond the initial 4‑year term by giving the Supplier at least three months’ notice before the initial term ends. Any extension would be on the same contractual terms (or on amended terms if mutually agreed) for up to an additional 4 years in total. If Southern Water does not issue such notice, the Framework Agreement will automatically expire at the end of the initial term.
79100000 Legal services79940000 Collection agency services
Lot #2Trace, Recovery & Legacy Debt ManagementAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Nov 2034 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Southern Water may extend the Framework Agreement beyond the initial 4‑year term by giving the Supplier at least three months’ notice before the initial term ends. Any extension would be on the same contractual terms (or on amended terms if mutually agreed) for up to an additional 4 years in total. If Southern Water does not issue such notice, the Framework Agreement will automatically expire at the end of the initial term.
79100000 Legal services79940000 Collection agency services
Lot #3Litigation ManagementAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Nov 2034 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Southern Water may extend the Framework Agreement beyond the initial 4‑year term by giving the Supplier at least three months’ notice before the initial term ends. Any extension would be on the same contractual terms (or on amended terms if mutually agreed) for up to an additional 4 years in total. If Southern Water does not issue such notice, the Framework Agreement will automatically expire at the end of the initial term.
79100000 Legal services79940000 Collection agency services
Lot #4Probate & Deceased Account ManagementAwardedRenewal 4 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 28 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2030 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Nov 2034 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Southern Water may extend the Framework Agreement beyond the initial 4‑year term by giving the Supplier at least three months’ notice before the initial term ends. Any extension would be on the same contractual terms (or on amended terms if mutually agreed) for up to an additional 4 years in total. If Southern Water does not issue such notice, the Framework Agreement will automatically expire at the end of the initial term.
79100000 Legal services79940000 Collection agency services

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceSplit
1 · Digital & Engagement Collections60%40%
2 · Trace, Recovery & Legacy Debt Management55%45%
3 · Litigation Management70%30%
4 · Probate & Deceased Account Management70%30%
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30–45 points depending on the lot. Read the split per lot below.
  • “Collection & Recovery Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Open framework scheme
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
21 Aug 2025, 14:52 BST
Last source update
9 Jun 2026, 10:34 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 27 Mar 2026
Authority reference
Prj_7596
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-008722
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Classification (CPV)
Collection agency servicesLegal services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058c38 Find a Tender
How it runs

Southern Water will run a Competitive Flexible Procedure that begins with an initial PQQ shortlisting, followed by the ITT stage where technical and commercial submissions are evaluated. Multiple tendering rounds may be used, including clarification stages, presentations, and a commercial re‑submission (BAFO). Throughout the process, SWS may negotiate with bidders to refine proposals, clarify delivery approaches, and adjust or further define the award criteria where permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. Each round will be used to progressively test capability, improve value for money, and differentiate suppliers, leading to final moderated scoring and selection of the highest‑ranked bidder(s) for each Lot.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Jaggaer · Who buys & how to bid on JAGGAER
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free; latest Chrome/Edge/Firefox only — corporate browsers fail
Appointment period ends
4 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
13 Feb 2026, 16:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk ↗

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

southernwater.bravosolution.co.uk ↗

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

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:

how to register on the CDP

Timeline

21 Aug 2025 → 28 Nov 2026 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    21 Aug 2025, 14:52 BST
  2. Market engagement399 days ago
    15 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST

    As part of this procurement, we will undertake a pre-tender engagement process to ensure the market is well-informed and aligned with our objectives. This process is designed to:

    Raise awareness of the upcoming procurement opportunity

    Share early insights into the scope, requirements, and strategic goals of the framework

    Invite feedback from suppliers to help shape the final specification and approach

    Encourage innovation and market readiness by outlining our expectations around flexibility, digital capability, and customer-centric recovery models

    Engagement activities may include:

    Market notice publication

    Supplier information sessions or webinars

    Request for Information (RFI) or Prior Information Notice (PIN)

    One-to-one discussions or soft market testing

    This process is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and aims to foster a competitive, transparent, and collaborative environment that supports the successful delivery of the new Collections & Recovery Framework.

  3. Next notice expected336 days ago
    17 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
  4. Tender notice published260 days ago
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
  5. Clarification questions by249 days ago
    13 Feb 2026, 16:00 GMT
  6. Admission / appointment period ends230 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    4 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
  7. Award decision expected by206 days ago
    27 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
  8. Assessment summaries sent133 days ago
    9 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
  9. Latest notice published133 days ago
    9 Jun 2026, 10:34 BST
  10. Today
    20 Oct 2026
  11. Contract startsin 39 days
    28 Nov 2026

Notice history

9 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Aug 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    21 Aug 2025, 14:52 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
    UK4
  3. Published value updated
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
  4. Status changed to active
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
  5. Procurement method changed
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
  6. Deadline published: 4 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
    2 Feb 2026, 08:32 GMT
  7. Contract award notice published
    9 Jun 2026, 10:34 BST
    UK6
  8. Status changed to complete
    9 Jun 2026, 10:34 BST
  9. Contract signature expected
    19 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 51 award · see the list ↓
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Across several lots1 award
Advantis Credit Limited, CONEXUS RECOVERY & FIELD SERVICES LIMITED, Orbit Credit Services Ltd, PHILLIPS & COHEN ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITED, UK Search LimitedDEBT COLLECTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES23 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2030 · up to 23 Nov 2034Extensions: Southern Water may, at its option, provide notice to the Supplier, such notice to be given by Southern Water at least 3 months prior to the end of the Initial Term, that it wishes to extend the Term on the same provisions as set out in this Framework Agreement (or, if Southern Water wishes to renegotiate any such provisions, on those provisions agreed by the parties), by a further period(s) of up to 4 years in aggregate.£19,800,000 inc. VAT9 Jun 2026Awarded

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Southern Water Services Limited

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-PPON: PBJQ-2231-ZRPG Southern Water, Southern House, Worthing, South East, Bn13 3NXContact name, email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

5 commercial parties on the notice
  • Advantis Credit LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 05223252 3rd Floor 10 Lloyd's Avenue, London, London, EC3N 3AJContact email
  • CONEXUS RECOVERY & FIELD SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: NI638296 Carlisle House, 20a Carlisle Road, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 6JNContact email
  • ORBIT CREDIT SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 06476959 1 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, South East, ME19 4UAContact email
  • PHILLIPS & COHEN ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 05284353 9th Floor, 5 Exchange Quay, Manchester, North West, M5 3EFContact email
  • UK SEARCH LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 05321310 UNIT 4 GANDER LANE, BARLBOROUGH, Chesterfield, East Midlands, S43 4PZContact email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specificationstenderBidding documents and specificationsAccess: All procurement documents, including the PQQ, ITT, Specifications, Framework Agreement, Schedules and supporting materials, will be made available electronically via Southern Water’s e‑sourcing portal (Bravo / Jaggaer). Suppliers must register on the portal to access the documentation, submit clarification questions, and upload their completed responses. All communications and submissions will be handled exclusively through the e‑sourcing system, with no hard‑copy documents issued or accepted.

Notices published for this procedure