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Published 18 Aug 2026, 13:19 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Photovoltaic (PV) Installations Little Marlow and Maidenhead

Official notice

Authority: THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED

2 lotsGoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitableVCSE suitable
Budget not disclosed£0total for 2 lots
Submissions closed 22 Sept 2026
Lots 2see the lot list below
Contract term 15 yrsends 30 Apr 2042 · up to 30 Apr 2052 with extensions · starts 30 Apr 2027

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

IMPORTANT: Please read this section before deciding whether you wish to register for this event. This section provides you with information regarding the scope of this procurement and details some of the key requirements that a successful applicant MUST be able to deliver.

The following conditions would be considered as some of key requirements for a supplier to meet to be considered for this opportunity:

  • Achilles Verification
  • Must have relevant experience to plan, manage and monitor the project
  • Must be able to comply with water industry standards, such as WIMES, where asset interaction is required

The scope of work includes the finance, engineering, design, procurement, construction, testing and completion, and to operate and maintain two separate solar photovoltaic (PV) plants as summarised in the non-exhaustive list below:

  • Full design and engineering
  • Procurement
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
  • Distribution Network Operator (DNO) witnessing, testing and approval to satisfy the terms of the connection agreement or offer
  • Supporting OFGEM accreditation for REGOs
  • Operation and maintenance
  • Monthly and annual reporting
  • Training of emergency procedures
  • Training of essential operational activities
  • Documentation
  • Demarcation fencing and signage
  • Biodiversity net gain requirements and any visual impact requirements

The PV installations are at two separate sites, both being ground mounted, with a maximum capacity of 1,000kWAC and 450kWAC. The Supplier shall design and optimise the size of the PV installation for behind-the-meter and achieve an attractive payback period and NPV.

The scope will be awarded be via either an EPC or PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) model, with only one to be awarded.

Thames Water reserves the right to refine the award criteria. Please note that that deadline for asking for access to the PSQ & submitting of the PSQ is 22 September 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

  • How the procedure runs: The PSQ is will have one 'General PSQ' questionnaire which all bidders are required to complete regardless of the lots applied for. Each bidder is to then separately complete each 'Lot Specific' questionnaire relevant to the lots they wish to apply for. Each Lot will be evaluated individually with each Lot survey totalling 100%. Pass/Fail answers from the General PSQ will be combined with the scores from each Lot Specific survey completed to give an overall score out of 100% for each lot applied for. Bidders may bid for one or multiple lots. Responses to this PSQ will be evaluated against selection criteria, to select bidders to proceed to the next stage of this procurement process. The selection criteria will be a combination of financial and non-financial factors and will include: a) Legal and financial capacity to perform the contract; b) Technical ability to perform the contract There are three types of questions: 1. Pass/Fail Questions Pass/Fail questions are stated as such in the Questions. Failure to meet our requirements in these questions may result in elimination of the Bidder 2. Weighted Questions The scores given for weighted questions are used to calculate the final score. 3. For information only Some questions are for information only; these will not be scored. We are evaluating your submission through the following evaluation methods and high-level criteria: 1. Organization Questions including financial and economic standing, Forms of Security, Health and Safety etc. 2. Technical Questions including Experience, Capability, O&M Experience, Environment, Workforce and Subcontractors, Innovation and Quality Assurance We will score the PSQ submissions and shortlist the bidders who pass the selection criteria required to progress to the next stage. We will shortlist the top scoring 4-8 bidders, with the top scores, who will progress to the ITN stage. We will evaluate your response in the ITN through the following criteria: 1. MAT We will evaluate your response in accordance with Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) award criteria. Both technical and commercial responses will be scored in detail and weighted to give an overall score. 2. Pass/Fail Questions Pass/Fail questions are stated as such in the Questions. Failure to meet our requirements in these questions may result in elimination of the Bidder 3. Weighted Questions The scores given for weighted questions are used to calculate the final score. 4.For information only Some questions are for information only; these will not be scored We are evaluating your submission through the following evaluation methods: 1. Technical (50% weighting) 2. Commercial (50% weighting) This is a 3 Stage ITN Process, where we reserve the right to shortlist 3-5 bidders through to ITN Stage 2, with their Stage 1 scores being carried over, and their technical score being reapportioned. The highest scoring 2 bidders from ITN Stage 2 will move through to ITN Stage 3, to negotiate the final agreement. This description applies to all Lots applied for.

CPV: Solar energy

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Supply and Installation (EPC)Renewal 15 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£0

The scope of work includes the engineering, design, procurement, construction, testing and completion, and to operate and maintain the solar photovoltaic (PV) plant as summarised in the non-exhaustive list below: [MD2.1]

  • Full design and engineering
  • Procurement
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
  • Distribution Network Operator (DNO) witnessing, testing and approval to satisfy the terms of the connection agreement or offer
  • Supporting OFGEM accreditation for REGOs
  • Operation and maintenance
  • Monthly and annual reporting
  • Training of emergency procedures
  • Training of essential operational activities
  • Documentation
  • Demarcation fencing and signage
Contract period: 30 Apr 2027 – 30 Apr 2042 (15 yrs) · up to 30 Apr 2052 with extensions
Delivery: London, South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Lot 1: Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 5 years, with no extension options. Lot 2: Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 15 years with options to extend by 5 year or longer, up to a maximum overall term of 25 years.
Lot #2Fund, Design, Build, Ownership, Operation & Maintenance (PPA)Renewal 15 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£0

The scope of work includes the funding, engineering, design, procurement, construction, testing and completion, and to operate and maintain the solar photovoltaic (PV) plant as summarised in the non-exhaustive list below[MD2.1]:

  • Full design and engineering
  • Procurement
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
  • Distribution Network Operator (DNO) witnessing, testing and approval to satisfy the terms of the connection agreement or offer
  • Supporting OFGEM accreditation for REGOs
  • Operation and maintenance
  • Monthly and annual reporting
  • Training of emergency procedures
  • Training of essential operational activities
  • Documentation
  • Demarcation fencing and signage
Contract period: 30 Apr 2027 – 30 Apr 2042 (15 yrs) · up to 30 Apr 2052 with extensions
Delivery: London, South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Lot 1: Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 5 years, with no extension options. Lot 2: Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 15 years with options to extend by 5 year or longer, up to a maximum overall term of 25 years.

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 · same split on all 2 lots
Quality: 50%Price: 50%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Technical: 50%
  • Commercial: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Commercial
  • Technical
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 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
Goods
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
18 Aug 2026, 13:19 BST
Last source update
10 Sept 2026, 10:26 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 30 Apr 2027
Authority reference
TC2444
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-078540
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Solar energy
Delivery area
London (UKI)South East (UKJ)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e68b Find a Tender
How it runs

The PSQ is will have one 'General PSQ' questionnaire which all bidders are required to complete regardless of the lots applied for. Each bidder is to then separately complete each 'Lot Specific' questionnaire relevant to the lots they wish to apply for.

Each Lot will be evaluated individually with each Lot survey totalling 100%. Pass/Fail answers from the General PSQ will be combined with the scores from each Lot Specific survey completed to give an overall score out of 100% for each lot applied for.

Bidders may bid for one or multiple lots. Responses to this PSQ will be evaluated against selection criteria, to select bidders to proceed to the next stage of this procurement process.

The selection criteria will be a combination of financial and non-financial factors and will include:

a) Legal and financial capacity to perform the contract;

b) Technical ability to perform the contract

There are three types of questions:

  1. Pass/Fail Questions

Pass/Fail questions are stated as such in the Questions. Failure to meet our requirements in these questions may result in elimination of the Bidder

  1. Weighted Questions

The scores given for weighted questions are used to calculate the final score.

  1. For information only

Some questions are for information only; these will not be scored.

We are evaluating your submission through the following evaluation methods and high-level criteria:

  1. Organization Questions including financial and economic standing, Forms of Security, Health and Safety etc.
  2. Technical Questions including Experience, Capability, O&M Experience, Environment, Workforce and Subcontractors, Innovation and Quality Assurance

We will score the PSQ submissions and shortlist the bidders who pass the selection criteria required to progress to the next stage. We will shortlist the top scoring 4-8 bidders, with the top scores, who will progress to the ITN stage.

We will evaluate your response in the ITN through the following criteria:

  1. MAT

We will evaluate your response in accordance with Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) award criteria. Both technical and commercial responses will be scored in detail and weighted to give an overall score.

  1. Pass/Fail Questions

Pass/Fail questions are stated as such in the Questions. Failure to meet our requirements in these questions may result in elimination of the Bidder

  1. Weighted Questions

The scores given for weighted questions are used to calculate the final score.

4.For information only

Some questions are for information only; these will not be scored

We are evaluating your submission through the following evaluation methods:

  1. Technical (50% weighting)
  2. Commercial (50% weighting)

This is a 3 Stage ITN Process, where we reserve the right to shortlist 3-5 bidders through to ITN Stage 2, with their Stage 1 scores being carried over, and their technical score being reapportioned. The highest scoring 2 bidders from ITN Stage 2 will move through to ITN Stage 3, to negotiate the final agreement.

This description applies to all Lots applied for.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: portal not identified
Electronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Submission deadline
22 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
8 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

If you are interested in participating, please complete this form:

forms.cloud.microsoft/e/1BQb6xH72W ↗

Timeline

18 Aug 2026 → 30 Apr 2027 · 6 dates
  1. Tender notice published65 days ago
    18 Aug 2026, 13:19 BST
  2. Clarification questions by44 days ago
    8 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
  3. Latest notice published43 days ago
    10 Sept 2026, 10:26 BST
  4. Submission deadline30 days ago
    22 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
  5. Today
    22 Oct 2026
  6. Contract startsin 189 days
    30 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
  7. Award decision expected byin 190 days
    30 Apr 2027, 23:59 BST

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Aug 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Aug 2026, 13:19 BST
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    10 Sept 2026, 10:26 BST
    UK4
  3. Deadline moved to 22 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
    10 Sept 2026, 10:26 BST
    +7 days · was 15 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (1)

The PSQ submission deadline changed to 22 September 2026 at 12:00pm.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED

Contracting authorityPrivate utility GB-COH: 02366661 · GB-PPON: PNQQ-4647-DTCV Clearwater Court, Reading, South East, RG1 8DBContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender