Official UK procurement notice
Sludge Holding Tanks & Roofs
Authority: THAMES WATER UTILITIES LIMITED
Sectors: Construction Materials & Prefab (44)Construction & Civil Engineering (45)Cleaning & Environmental Services (90) Delivery: London (UKI)South East (UKJ)
Framework ceiling (notional)£0total for 3 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 9 Jan 2026awarded 16 Sept 2026
Awarded to BALMORAL TANKS LIMITED +4 more3 awards
Framework period 8 yrsends 31 May 2034 · starts 1 Jun 2026
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThis procurement is for the supply and commissioning of sludge tanks, digesters, other associated tanks, roofs, and related items at various wastewater treatment sites.
Target Sites
The procurement will cover purchase, installation and commissioning of new sludge tanks, digesters, and other associated tanks and roofs and associated items.
Objectives
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with legislation, improve the environmental impact of the STW and provide infrastructure which is fit for purpose.
- Commercial Value: Optimise the material and delivery solution to maximise commercial efficiencies for Thames Water
- Futureproofing: Implement a framework which enables Thames Water to be able toe secure the capacity it requires for future programmes of works
Procurement Approach: A competitive tender process will be undertaken to appoint a supplier(s) capable of delivering the required scope. The strategy favours a supplier who can streamline delivery, ensure consistency, and maximise commercial and operational benefits.
Procurement Timeline Considerations: The procurement timeline is currently under review due to strategic and regulatory reassessments at certain sites. Specifically:
- A study evaluating the requirements to meet the Environment Agency IED requirements is ongoing, with outcomes expected later in the year. These findings will inform final scope and procurement readiness
Expected Outcomes
- Improved asset reliability and operational performance
- Enhanced alignment with environmental and regulatory objectives
- Commercial efficiencies through strategic sourcing and standardisation
- How the procedure runs: The procurement will follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure in line with the Procurement Act 2023. The process will include multiple stages, with opportunities for clarification, negotiation, and refinement of award criteria before final contract award. Stage 1: Tender Notice Publication • The process begins with the publication of the Contract Notice on the Find a Tender Service (FTS) • This will outline the scope of requirements, procurement stages, and timelines Stage 2: Pre-Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) • PSQ Publication: The PSQ will be published alongside the contract notice • Supplier Response: Suppliers will complete and submit the PSQ by the stated deadline • Clarification Period: A defined window will allow suppliers to raise queries and Thames Water to provide clarifications • Evaluation: PSQ responses will be assessed on a pass/fail and weighted basis against mandatory criteria • Outcome: Successful suppliers will be shortlisted and invited to the next stage Stage 3: Preliminary Tender Submission • Issue of Documents: Shortlisted suppliers will receive the full information pack • Clarification: Suppliers submit any clarification questions to the tender. TW will answer • Submissions: Suppliers submit bid submissions (technical and commercial proposals) • Clarification and Questions: TW submit clarifications and questions to the supplier responses • Evaluation: Submissions are assessed against published criteria Stage 4: Negotiation Stage • Shortlisted suppliers will receive invitations to negotiate and further information about the process • Negotiation and Refinement: Negotiations with suppliers to refine solutions and optimise value • Updated Submissions: Suppliers to submit revised bids following negotiation rounds Stage 5: Final Evaluation and Selection • Evaluation: Final submissions are evaluated against weighted criteria Stage 6: Contract Award • Notification: Successful and unsuccessful suppliers will be informed in writing • Standstill Period: A mandatory standstill period will apply before contract signature • Contract Execution: Following standstill, the contract will be awarded and signed
CPV: Construction works for sewage treatment plants, purification plants and refuse incineration plants · Sewage treatment services · Sewage treatment works · Sludge-storage tanks · Sludge-treatment works · Water tanks
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- every call-off is a further competition among the appointed suppliers
- Framework period
- 8 yrs from 1 Jun 2026
Published description of the framework
Mini-Competitions to be held once requirements are defined
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Sludge Holding Tanks (including Digesters and other associated Tanks) (Supply and Installation)AwardedPublished value£0
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #2Sludge Holding Tanks (including Digesters and other associated Tanks) (CDM Responsibilities)AwardedPublished value£0
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #3Sludge Holding Tank Roofs (including Digesters)AwardedPublished value£0
The source published no individual description for this lot.
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).
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical: 40%
- Commercial: 60%
Published award criteria (2)
- Commercial
- Technical
What this means for your bid
- Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
- “Sludge Holding Tanks & Roofs” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: each call-off is a further competition, so the pricing contest starts after appointment.
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
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Utilities
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- 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
- 17 Nov 2025, 16:01 GMT
- Last source update
- 16 Sept 2026, 14:00 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 18 May 2026
- Authority reference
FA2367- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-074498- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e2b6Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement will follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure in line with the Procurement Act 2023. The process will include multiple stages, with opportunities for clarification, negotiation, and refinement of award criteria before final contract award.
Stage 1: Tender Notice Publication
- The process begins with the publication of the Contract Notice on the Find a Tender Service (FTS)
- This will outline the scope of requirements, procurement stages, and timelines
Stage 2: Pre-Specific Questionnaire (PSQ)
- PSQ Publication: The PSQ will be published alongside the contract notice
- Supplier Response: Suppliers will complete and submit the PSQ by the stated deadline
- Clarification Period: A defined window will allow suppliers to raise queries and Thames Water to provide clarifications
- Evaluation: PSQ responses will be assessed on a pass/fail and weighted basis against mandatory criteria
- Outcome: Successful suppliers will be shortlisted and invited to the next stage
Stage 3: Preliminary Tender Submission
- Issue of Documents: Shortlisted suppliers will receive the full information pack
- Clarification: Suppliers submit any clarification questions to the tender. TW will answer
- Submissions: Suppliers submit bid submissions (technical and commercial proposals)
- Clarification and Questions: TW submit clarifications and questions to the supplier responses
- Evaluation: Submissions are assessed against published criteria
Stage 4: Negotiation Stage
- Shortlisted suppliers will receive invitations to negotiate and further information about the process
- Negotiation and Refinement: Negotiations with suppliers to refine solutions and optimise value
- Updated Submissions: Suppliers to submit revised bids following negotiation rounds
Stage 5: Final Evaluation and Selection
- Evaluation: Final submissions are evaluated against weighted criteria
Stage 6: Contract Award
- Notification: Successful and unsuccessful suppliers will be informed in writing
- Standstill Period: A mandatory standstill period will apply before contract signature
- Contract Execution: Following standstill, the contract will be awarded and signed
How it was run
Official noticeRun through: portal not identified
- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 9 Jan 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Appointment period ends
- 9 Jan 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 30 Dec 2025, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
To gain access to the PSQ documents, please fill out the details on this form;
Timeline
17 Nov 2025 → 16 Sept 2026 · 7 dates- Tender notice published342 days ago17 Nov 2025, 16:01 GMT
- Clarification questions by299 days ago30 Dec 2025, 17:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends289 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown9 Jan 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by159 days ago18 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts146 days ago1 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent39 days ago16 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published39 days ago16 Sept 2026, 14:00 BST
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 17 Nov 2025- Tender notice published17 Nov 2025, 16:01 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published10 Dec 2025, 10:28 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published16 Sept 2026, 14:00 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete16 Sept 2026, 14:00 BST
- Contract signature expected14 Oct 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
The submission deadline has been extended to 9 January 2026, at 10:00 am, and the enquiry deadline to 30 December 2025, at 17:00.
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Sludge Holding Tanks (including Digesters and other associated Tanks) (Supply and Installation)1 award | |||
| BALMORAL TANKS LIMITED, GEL ENGINEERING LIMITEDSME, STORTEC ENGINEERING LIMITED, TANK CONSULT LIMITED1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2029 · up to 31 Oct 2034Extensions: The Contract shall commence with an initial term of three (3) years. We reserve the right to extend the Contract by a period of up to two (2) years and thereafter by up to three (3) further periods of one (1) year each. Any extension shall be exercised at our sole discretion. · Options: Relevant goods or services associated with the requirement of Tanks & Coverings | — | 16 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Sludge Holding Tanks (including Digesters and other associated Tanks) (CDM Responsibilities)1 award | |||
| BALMORAL TANKS LIMITED, GEL ENGINEERING LIMITEDSME, STORTEC ENGINEERING LIMITED, TANK CONSULT LIMITED1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2029 · up to 31 Oct 2034Extensions: The Contract shall commence with an initial term of three (3) years. We reserve the right to extend the Contract by a period of up to two (2) years and thereafter by up to three (3) further periods of one (1) year each. Any extension shall be exercised at our sole discretion. · Options: Relevant goods or services associated with the requirement of Tanks & Coverings | — | 16 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Sludge Holding Tank Roofs (including Digesters)1 award | |||
| BALMORAL TANKS LIMITED, GEL ENGINEERING LIMITEDSME, MSD DESIGN LIMITED, STORTEC ENGINEERING LIMITED, TANK CONSULT LIMITED1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2029 · up to 31 Oct 2034Extensions: The Contract shall commence with an initial term of three (3) years. We reserve the right to extend the Contract by a period of up to two (2) years and thereafter by up to three (3) further periods of one (1) year each. Any extension shall be exercised at our sole discretion. · Options: Relevant goods or services associated with the requirement of Tanks & Coverings | — | 16 Sept 2026 | Awarded |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
5 commercial parties on the notice- BALMORAL TANKS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- GEL ENGINEERING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- MSD DESIGN LIMITEDFramework contractor
- STORTEC ENGINEERING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- TANK CONSULT LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (5)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender