Official UK procurement notice
NW3071 - Various Licences
Authority: NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED (Public body)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNorthumbrian Water Limited (NWL) seeks to appoint a partner/s to provide cyber security licensing and associated support services across a suite of critical security technologies used throughout the organisation. NWL is seeking the provision of licences either directly from the technology vendors or through an approved reseller
NWL is looking to appoint partner/s who can support the organisation's current and future cyber security requirements over the next three years, with the option to extend the contract for a further three years.
The contract has been split into the following Lots:
Lot 1 - Zscaler Cloud-Based Web Filtering Licences & Support
Lot 2 - Forticare Support Services for Fortinet Infrastructure
Lot 3 - Mimecast Internet and Email Security / Firewall Licences & Support
Lot 4 - Strumap Flushing Designer Licences & Support
The scope of work to be undertaken by the successful bidders is anticipated to be as follows:
Provide NWL with the required licences (directly or via an authorised reseller) to maintain the secure and compliant operation of the relevant platforms and services.
Work collaboratively with NWL's Cyber Security and IT teams to ensure licences, service tiers, and contract arrangements meet business and operational requirements.
Offer access to experienced resources capable of providing effective licence management, optimisation, best-practice guidance, and product expertise.
Ensure seamless support arrangements, including access to updates, patches, and technical assistance aligned to the licensing model.
Assist in maintaining a stable operational environment through timely renewal, lifecycle management, usage reporting, and escalation of issues where required.
Provide clear, accurate, and auditable reporting relating to licences, consumption, support activity, and renewal cycles.
Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) seeks to appoint a partner/s to provide cyber security licensing and associated support services across a suite of critical security technologies used throughout the organisation. NWL is seeking the provision of licences either directly from the technology vendors or through an approved reseller
NWL is looking to appoint partner/s who can support the organisation's current and future cyber security requirements over the next three years, with the option to extend the contract for a further three years.
The contract has been split into the following Lots:
Lot 1 - Zscaler Cloud-Based Web Filtering Licences & Support
Lot 2 - Forticare Support Services for Fortinet Infrastructure
Lot 3 - Mimecast Internet and Email Security / Firewall Licences & Support
Lot 4 - Strumap Flushing Designer Licences & Support
The scope of work to be undertaken by the successful bidders is anticipated to be as follows:
Provide NWL with the required licences (directly or via an authorised reseller) to maintain the secure and compliant operation of the relevant platforms and services.
Work collaboratively with NWL's Cyber Security and IT teams to ensure licences, service tiers, and contract arrangements meet business and operational requirements.
Offer access to experienced resources capable of providing effective licence management, optimisation, best-practice guidance, and product expertise.
Ensure seamless support arrangements, including access to updates, patches, and technical assistance aligned to the licensing model.
Assist in maintaining a stable operational environment through timely renewal, lifecycle management, usage reporting, and escalation of issues where required.
Provide clear, accurate, and auditable reporting relating to licences, consumption, support activity, and renewal cycles.
Below is an overview of the core components for each Lot within this tendering exercise.
Lot 1 - Zscaler Cloud Based Web Filtering Fx
Product - Zscaler
License type - Endpoint per user
Quantity - 3500
Unit - Each
Length - 3 Years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing type - Unit price
License Type - Annual Premium Support Services
Quantity - 1
Unit - Annual
Length - 3 years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing Type - Lump sum
Lot 2 - Foritcare Support Fx
Product - FortiGate
License Type - see xls spreadsheet in Ariba
Lot 3 - Mimecast Internet and Email Security/Firewall Fx
Product - Mimecast
License Type - Mimecast S1
Quantity - 4000
Unit - Each
Length - 3 Years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing type - Unit price
License Type - DMARC Analyzer - T4
Quantity - 5
Unit - Each
Length - 3 Years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing type - Unit price
License Type - Add On - Secure Messaging (Per User)
Quantity - 250
Unit - Each
Length - 3 Years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing type - Unit price
License Type - Advanced Support
Quantity - 1
Unit - Annual
Length - 3 Years - (option to extend for 3 years)
Pricing type - Lump sum
Lot 4 - Strumap Flushing Designer Licences and Support Fx
Product - NPS Strumap Flushing Designer CRM: 103338 (Version 5.4.3.029)
The details the start dates of our current contracts on the above lots are listed below
Lot 1 - Zscaler Cloud Based Web Filtering Fx
Contract start - 18/04/2026
Lot 2 - Lot 2 - Foritcare Support Fx
Contract start- 23/06/2026
Lot 3 - Mimecast Internet and Email Security/Firewall Fx
Contract start- 30/04/2026
Lot 4 - Strumap Flushing Designer Licences and Support Fx
Contract start - 1/06/2026
Please note existing licences across the four Lots expire on different dates; therefore, NWL requires all new agreements to be co‑terminous with a unified contract end date of 22/06/2029, with an option to extend to 22/06/2032.
Bidders must ensure that any additional months required to align contract end dates are reflected within their pricing. The requirement in months for each lot are as follows :
Lot 1 - 38 months
Lot 2 - 36 months
Lot 3 - 38 months
Lot 4 - 37 months
- How the procedure runs: Stage 1: Invitation to Participate This stage begins with the issuing of a Tender Notice. Stage 2: Conditions of Participation & Invitation to Submit Initial Tenders Suppliers who have expressed interest will be invited to complete a Conditions of Participation questionnaire and submit their tenders. All tenders must be submitted in line with the Procurement Timetable and instructions contained in this document and any supplementary information provided. After the tender deadline, NWL will assess all submissions using the process and award criteria outlined in the Tender Notice and this document. This assessment will identify the supplier(s) successful in each Lot. NWL will also consider whether any supplier (or associated entities relied upon to meet participation conditions) is an excluded or excludable supplier under the Act. If a supplier is excludable solely due to an associated supplier or subcontractor, NWL will notify them and provide a reasonable opportunity to replace that entity. If NWL subsequently disregards a tender due to exclusion, or an associated entity is replaced, NWL will notify the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) within 30 days. NWL will identify the most advantageous tender in line with the stated methodology and disregard any tender from suppliers not meeting the Conditions of Participation. Following this assessment, NWL will provide an assessment summary to all suppliers who submitted a tender including: • whether they have been awarded the contract, • an explanation of how their tender was assessed against the award criteria, and • information about the most advantageous tender where this differs from their own. A Contract Award Notice will then be published on the Central Digital Platform to commence the mandatory standstill period. Once the standstill period concludes, NWL will enter the preferred supplier stage with the selected supplier. Stage 3: Preferred Supplier Stage The highest scoring supplier will be invited to engage with NWL to finalise the draft contract terms, within the limitations of the Act. This stage concludes with NWL entering into the contract with the preferred supplier.
CPV: License management software package · Software support services
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value (£1,200,000 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Zscaler Cloud Based Web FilteringRenewalPublished value£450,000
Zcscaler cloud based web filtering licenses
- Subscription to business edition x3500
- Annual Premium Support Services x1
Lot #2Forticare supportRenewalPublished value£258,000
FortiGate - license type pending
Lot #3Mimecast Internet and Email Security/FirewallRenewalPublished value£228,000
Mimecast
- Mimecast S1 x4000
- DMARC Analyzer - T4 x5
- Add On - Secure Messaging (Per User) x250
- Advanced Support x1
Lot #4Strumap Flushing Designer Licences and SupportRenewalPublished value£264,000
NPS Strumap Flushing Designer CRM: 103338
version 5.4.3.029
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (1)
- Price
- Price carries 100 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 10 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
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
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 5 Feb 2026, 09:45 GMT
- Last source update
- 5 Feb 2026, 09:45 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 13 Mar 2026
- Authority reference
NW3071- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-010274- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06479fFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
45 days.
- How it runs
Stage 1: Invitation to Participate
This stage begins with the issuing of a Tender Notice.
Stage 2: Conditions of Participation & Invitation to Submit Initial Tenders
Suppliers who have expressed interest will be invited to complete a Conditions of Participation questionnaire and submit their tenders.
All tenders must be submitted in line with the Procurement Timetable and instructions contained in this document and any supplementary information provided.
After the tender deadline, NWL will assess all submissions using the process and award criteria outlined in the Tender Notice and this document. This assessment will identify the supplier(s) successful in each Lot.
NWL will also consider whether any supplier (or associated entities relied upon to meet participation conditions) is an excluded or excludable supplier under the Act. If a supplier is excludable solely due to an associated supplier or subcontractor, NWL will notify them and provide a reasonable opportunity to replace that entity.
If NWL subsequently disregards a tender due to exclusion, or an associated entity is replaced, NWL will notify the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) within 30 days.
NWL will identify the most advantageous tender in line with the stated methodology and disregard any tender from suppliers not meeting the Conditions of Participation.
Following this assessment, NWL will provide an assessment summary to all suppliers who submitted a tender including:
- whether they have been awarded the contract,
- an explanation of how their tender was assessed against the award criteria, and
- information about the most advantageous tender where this differs from their own.
A Contract Award Notice will then be published on the Central Digital Platform to commence the mandatory standstill period.
Once the standstill period concludes, NWL will enter the preferred supplier stage with the selected supplier.
Stage 3: Preferred Supplier Stage
The highest scoring supplier will be invited to engage with NWL to finalise the draft contract terms, within the limitations of the Act.
This stage concludes with NWL entering into the contract with the preferred supplier.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 9 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conduced electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e-Sourcing Spend Management portal called 'Ariba' (s1.ariba.com ↗).
Expressions of interest from this notice must be sent to the e-mail address [email protected] before the deadline date of the 2nd of March 2026 at 12:00hrs.
Once expression of interest has been received that contains the details below, applicants will be given access to the Ariba portal within 48 hours from request. This portal will contain all the tender documents associated with this procurement that are available at the time.
An email link will also be provided to the email address you provide to access the portal.
The deadline for return of the completed Tenders is the 9th of March 2026 at 12noon.
When sending expression of interest, applicants must provide the following information: 1) Full company name 2) Main contact details of the person who will be given access to the Ariba portal - Name, job title, E mail address and telephone number.
Timeline
5 Feb 2026 → 18 Apr 2026 · 4 dates- Tender notice published258 days ago5 Feb 2026, 09:45 GMT
- Submission deadline226 days ago9 Mar 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by221 days ago13 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts186 days ago18 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published5 Feb 2026, 09:45 GMTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender