United Utilities Water Limited has published PRO004993 - Services Framework - Water Efficiency Services, a new framework opportunity worth an estimated £42,000,000 including VAT over 2 years. The framework is designed to support a water efficiency programme aimed at helping customers reduce water consumption and supporting the company’s business performance commitments.
This is a practical, delivery-focused opportunity rather than a broad sustainability framework. The notice covers customer-facing audits, leak fixing, water-saving device installation, online survey tools and the supply of water efficiency products. If you are considering whether to bid, contact Thornton & Lowe for a quick review of lot fit, bid approach and competitiveness.
What the framework covers
The notice is clear that the programme includes a defined set of services and products. These include:
- Water home audits for domestic customers, including finding and fixing leaks, fitting water-saving devices and providing behavioural change advice
- An online water survey to help customers assess consumption and identify ways to save water
- Supply of water-saving devices for the audit programme and water-saving events, including items such as flow regulators, buffaloo bags, tap aerators and more
- Water business audits including leak fixing, device installation and behavioural advice
That means this framework is likely to be relevant to a mix of service providers, product suppliers and customer engagement specialists, depending on the lot being targeted.
Lot structure
The framework is divided into 3 lots:
- Lot 1 - Supply and delivery of In-Home Audits: service delivery of audits, installations and minor repairs in customers’ homes, including the ability to contact customers and secure audits
- Lot 2 - Supply and delivery of Water Efficiency Devices: supply of WRAS-approved water-saving devices, storage and distribution, and provision of an online customer consumption platform
- Lot 3 - Supply and delivery of Small Business & Sector-Led Audits: service delivery of audits within small businesses and sector-led settings such as schools, leisure centres and care homes, including customer contact and promotion
This structure gives different types of suppliers a route in. Some may be strongest in field-based audit and repair delivery, while others may be better positioned in product supply, fulfilment and customer platform provision.
Why this opportunity stands out
The headline value is significant, but the lot structure is what makes this framework commercially interesting. Lot 1 and Lot 3 are each valued at £12 million including VAT, while Lot 2 is valued at £18 million including VAT. That makes the device and platform lot the largest part of the framework by value.
The framework also allows an unlimited number of suppliers and applies a 0% supplier fee. Award under the framework is with competition, so bidders should assume that place-on-framework is only one step in the wider commercial picture.
What bidders should focus on
Before investing in a submission, suppliers should check whether their model matches the actual delivery requirement for the lot they want to pursue.
- Operational fit - field audit and repair delivery needs a different model from device supply and distribution.
- Customer contact capability - Lots 1 and 3 specifically require the ability to contact customers, secure audits and promote services.
- Water-saving credibility - proposals should show a clear route to measurable water reduction and customer outcomes.
- Product and compliance readiness - for Lot 2 especially, suppliers need to show credible arrangements for WRAS-approved device supply, storage and distribution.
- Sector relevance - for Lot 3, experience in schools, leisure, care or other small business and sector-led environments may strengthen the case.
Evaluation and procurement route
The framework does not use the same weighting across all lots. For Lot 1 and Lot 3, the weighting is 50% commercial and 50% technical. For Lot 2, the weighting is 60% commercial and 40% technical.
That means suppliers bidding for the device supply lot should pay especially close attention to commercial positioning, while bidders for the audit-led lots need to balance price with a strong delivery model and technical response.
The procurement is being run under a competitive flexible procedure, with stages including preliminary market engagement, CoPQ, ITN and BAFO. That suggests suppliers should expect a more involved process than a simple one-stage tender.
Quick facts
- Framework: PRO004993 - Services Framework - Water Efficiency Services
- Client: United Utilities Water Limited
- Total value: £42,000,000 including VAT
- Term: 24 August 2026 to 23 August 2028
- Lots: 3
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
- Supplier fee: 0%
- Award method: With competition
- Read the official notice
Key dates
- Notice published: 8 April 2026
- Enquiry deadline: 9 June 2026 at 2:00pm
- Tender submission deadline: 16 June 2026 at 2:00pm
- Estimated award decision date: 17 August 2026
Is this framework right for your business?
This opportunity is likely to suit providers that can show practical delivery capability, clear customer outcomes and strong operational control, whether through field audits, repair and installation services, or the supply and distribution of water-saving devices. The key is not just sector relevance, but matching the right lot with the right service model.
If you want an outside view on whether PRO004993 is worth pursuing, and how to position your offer, get in touch with Thornton & Lowe.
