Portsmouth Water has opened a £40 million strategic IT services procurement to support its transformation programme. The open framework covers advisory and delivery services across strategy, cyber security, data and artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and operational IT.
The framework is expected to run for up to eight years. It uses a competitive flexible procedure, beginning with a selection questionnaire before shortlisted suppliers move into sub-lot-specific tender stages.
How the framework is structured
The tender notice divides the requirement into five sub-lots:
- Lot 1A, Strategic Transformation Advisory and Delivery Services: technology and data strategy, architecture, governance, market intelligence, programme assurance and transformation delivery;
- Lot 2A, Cyber Security Advisory Capability and Delivery Services: cyber strategy, architecture, governance, risk, compliance, security operations, incident response, testing, identity and awareness;
- Lot 2B, Data, Analytics, Automation and AI: data strategy, engineering, platforms, analytics, automation, AI delivery, migration and quality;
- Lot 2C, Cloud, Network and Platform Infrastructure: hosting, migration, connectivity, integration, APIs, platform engineering and DevOps; and
- Lot 2D, IT Operational Solutions: managed services and broader combinations of software, hardware and professional services.
The framework values are £8 million for Lot 1A, £10 million each for Lots 2A and 2B, £8 million for Lot 2C and £4 million for Lot 2D. These values may be shared between lots.
What an open framework means for suppliers
An open framework is established through a series of frameworks on substantially the same terms. Existing suppliers can be carried forward and new suppliers may be able to compete when the arrangement is reopened. That can create future entry points, but suppliers should not assume that missing the first competition has no consequence. Early appointment may provide access to call-off opportunities sooner.
Portsmouth Water states that prices and costs will be set at call-off stage, with work awarded to delivery partners selected for the relevant sub-lot. The framework can support awards with or without further competition, subject to the final framework rules.
Suppliers working in cyber and managed services should also review our analysis of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which highlights developing public-sector assurance expectations.
How bids will be assessed
The published weighting is 60% quality and 40% price. The procurement will start with a selection questionnaire, followed by lot-specific invitations to tender. This makes the initial capability response important, particularly for suppliers bidding across more than one technical area.
Quality evidence should be tailored to a water utility environment. Even where previous utility-sector experience is not mandatory, Portsmouth Water will need confidence in operational resilience, security, governance and the supplier’s ability to deliver change without disrupting essential services.
Quick facts
- Contracting authority: Portsmouth Water Limited
- Estimated value: £40 million excluding VAT, £48 million including VAT
- Commercial model: Open framework
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited in the notice
- Evaluation: 60% quality and 40% price
- Enquiry deadline: 17 July 2026
- Request to participate deadline: 4 August 2026 at 6pm
Preparing a credible response
Choose sub-lots based on demonstrable delivery capability rather than broad service descriptions. A supplier bidding for cyber, data and cloud should still provide distinct evidence, teams and delivery methods for each area.
Case studies should explain the initial problem, the supplier’s role, governance, technical approach, delivery controls and measured outcomes. For transformation work, show how strategy moved into implementation. For cyber services, focus on operational improvement and assurance. For data, AI and automation, explain data quality, adoption, controls and benefits.
Commercial responses should also reflect the likely variety of call-offs. Suppliers may need to offer advisory specialists, project teams and longer-term managed services without creating an unclear or inconsistent pricing model.
Thornton & Lowe supports technology suppliers with selection questionnaires, framework bids and complex quality responses.
