Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO), Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), and West Mercia Energy are inviting suppliers to participate in pre-market engagement ahead of a major new Water, Wastewater and Ancillary Services Framework – with an estimated value of £3.6 billion (including VAT) over eight years. If your business provides water supply, wastewater management, or ancillary utility services to the public sector, this is your opportunity to help shape one of the largest utilities procurement frameworks in recent years.
If you are considering how best to engage with this opportunity, contact Thornton & Lowe for a focused review of your fit and strategy.
What Makes This Framework Stand Out
Covering water supply, wastewater management, and a broad range of ancillary utility services, this framework will be accessible to all UK public sector bodies. Unlike procurement limited to a single region or authority, its collaborative three-body structure means suppliers gain a single route to a significantly wider customer base – spanning health, education, local government, and beyond – under an eight-year agreement.
The inclusion of three contracting bodies (YPO, ESPO, and West Mercia Energy) adds commercial depth: successful providers can develop relationships across different public sector segments and geographies, with the potential for economies of scale that a single-authority contract could not deliver.
Bidding Considerations
- Engage at the pre-market stage: Suppliers active in water supply, wastewater, and ancillary utility services have a real opportunity to help shape the specification, service standards, and delivery model before they are fixed. This is the moment to raise questions and offer expert market insight.
- Review the scope carefully: The opportunity spans the full spectrum of water and wastewater services – from supply and treatment through to ancillary services such as water efficiency, meter reading, billing support, and related utilities management.
- Highlight scalability and regional flexibility: The wide reach across three authorities and the full public sector demands strong evidence of your ability to deliver at scale across different geographies.
- Think about the long term: With up to eight years of contract life, demonstrating innovation, sustainability credentials, and the ability to adapt your offer over time will be central to buyer confidence.
Quick Facts
- Framework value: £3,600,000,000 (including VAT)
- Scope: Water supply, wastewater management, ancillary utility services
- Authorities: YPO, Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation, West Mercia Energy
- Eligible buyers: All UK public sector bodies
- Term: Up to 8 years
- View the full notice on Find a Tender
Key Dates
- Market engagement deadline: 30 June 2026
Because the framework is still in its formative stage, proactive engagement now will position you advantageously once the formal procurement opens. Thornton & Lowe can help you prepare your market engagement response and plan your approach to the subsequent tender. Don't miss this window to influence and prepare.
