Yorkshire Water is procuring a new £38 million Consultancy Framework, creating opportunities for management consultants, regulatory specialists and asset management advisers to support its long-term investment and transformation programmes. Known as CM3592, the framework covers three consultancy disciplines and will support Yorkshire Water's activities during Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8), alongside preparations for AMP9 and AMP10.
The procurement places significant emphasis on professional capability, with 70% of the available evaluation marks allocated to quality and 30% to commercial considerations. The published tender deadline is 3 November 2026 at 5pm. Businesses interested in participating should ensure they have access to the procurement through Yorkshire Water's SAP Ariba portal.
Yorkshire Water CM3592 Consultancy Framework: key details
The framework will provide Yorkshire Water with access to specialist professional services supporting its strategic, operational, regulatory and asset management activities. It is intended to replace existing consultancy arrangements and provide a more consistent route for accessing external expertise.
The main details are:
- Contracting authority: Yorkshire Water Services Limited
- Procurement reference: CM3592
- Estimated framework value: £38 million
- Initial framework period: 15 March 2027 to 14 March 2031
- Potential extension: Up to 14 March 2034
- Number of lots: Three
- Framework type: Multi-supplier open framework
- Procurement procedure: Open, under the utilities regime
- Tender deadline: 3 November 2026 at 5pm
- Estimated award decision: 1 March 2027
The initial framework will operate for four years, with provision for an extension of up to three years. Suppliers can review the Yorkshire Water CM3592 Consultancy tender notice for the published procurement information and related notices.
What are the three CM3592 consultancy lots?
The framework is divided into three specialist categories, covering management consultancy, regulatory advice and asset management.
Lot | Consultancy category | Estimated value |
|---|---|---|
1 | Management Consultancy | £17 million |
2 | Regulatory Consultancy | £6 million |
3 | Asset Management Consultancy | £15 million |
Each lot addresses a different area of expertise, enabling Yorkshire Water to appoint consultants for particular business requirements.
Lot 1: Management Consultancy
Lot 1 covers strategic consultancy, business transformation and specialist professional advice. The scope includes high-level strategic recommendations, independent analysis and support for organisational change. Relevant services include:
- Strategic advice and independent analysis.
- Board-level recommendations and decision support.
- Business transformation and change programmes.
- Development of organisational capabilities.
- Specialist technical or functional consultancy.
This lot could appeal to management consultancies with experience supporting utilities, infrastructure businesses and other complex organisations.
A strong application will need to demonstrate more than general consultancy experience. Suppliers should consider how their previous projects show an ability to address complex business challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes. For example, evidence of successful transformation programmes, operational improvements or strategic advisory assignments may be relevant, depending on the detailed tender requirements.
Lot 2: Regulatory Consultancy
Lot 2 focuses on the economic, financial and regulatory requirements facing Yorkshire Water. The scope includes support relating to Ofwat price reviews, cost assessment, performance commitments and financial resilience. Other activities include financial economics, allowed returns, financeability and risk analysis. This creates opportunities for specialist consultancies with expertise in economic regulation and the water industry.
Businesses pursuing this lot should consider how they can demonstrate relevant regulatory knowledge, analytical capability and experience producing robust advice. For example, consultants involved in regulatory submissions, financial modelling or economic assessments may have relevant evidence to support their applications.
Given the specialist nature of the work, applicants should review the technical requirements carefully before committing resources to a submission.
Lot 3: Asset Management Consultancy
Lot 3 covers professional services supporting Yorkshire Water's asset management transformation. The objective is to improve asset performance, strengthen investment decision-making and embed effective asset management practices across the organisation. Its scope includes strategic asset management, long-term investment planning, asset information improvement and data-led decision-making.
Consultancies may support Yorkshire Water in developing asset management capabilities, improving asset reliability and aligning investment decisions with regulatory and operational requirements. This could be relevant to engineering consultancies, asset management specialists and advisory businesses experienced in infrastructure-intensive industries.
Suppliers should consider how to demonstrate experience improving asset information, supporting investment decisions and delivering measurable operational improvements.
Why is the framework important for water-sector consultants?
Yorkshire Water's investment and operational requirements extend beyond the delivery of physical infrastructure. The company also needs specialist support to manage regulatory obligations, improve business performance and plan future investment.
The framework is intended to support AMP8 delivery while preparing for subsequent asset management periods. For consultants, this creates opportunities to contribute to projects addressing both immediate business requirements and longer-term strategic challenges.
The three-lot structure also reflects the different capabilities required across the organisation. A management consultancy may focus on transformation and organisational change, while a regulatory specialist could support price review analysis or financial modelling. An asset management consultancy may instead help Yorkshire Water improve the information and decision-making processes used to manage its infrastructure.
Businesses with experience in the water sector may be particularly well placed to demonstrate relevant capabilities, although the detailed participation requirements will determine eligibility.
How will Yorkshire Water evaluate suppliers?
The published evaluation criteria are:
- Capability: 70%
- Commercial: 30%
The substantial capability weighting makes the quality of each supplier's evidence particularly important. Consultancies will need to demonstrate that they possess the relevant expertise and can deliver the services required under their chosen lot.
While the detailed scoring questions will determine exactly what is assessed, several areas are worth considering during preparation.
- Relevant sector experience: Evidence of comparable work in the water industry, utilities or other regulated infrastructure environments may help demonstrate a suitable understanding of the requirements.
- Professional expertise: Suppliers should clearly explain the qualifications, technical knowledge and experience of the personnel who would deliver the services.
- Project outcomes: Previous assignments should demonstrate the consultancy's contribution and, where possible, measurable benefits for the client.
- Delivery approach: Responses should explain how projects will be managed, including stakeholder engagement, communication, quality assurance and resource planning.
- Commercial arrangements: Pricing should reflect the proposed services and resources while remaining competitive and sustainable.
Thornton & Lowe's bid writing services help professional services businesses prepare structured, evidence-based responses that address procurement requirements clearly.
How will contracts be awarded through the framework?
CM3592 is designed as a multi-supplier open framework, with individual contracts awarded through the procedures established in the framework agreement. Customers may use direct award or further competition, depending on the requirements and the relevant lot. Direct awards will use objective procedures to identify the most suitable supplier for a defined requirement. Where further competition is used, eligible suppliers appointed to the relevant lot will be invited to submit proposals.
Pricing for individual contracts will be based on the rate cards and commercial schedules established through the procurement, with adjustments permitted where the framework procedures allow. The arrangement is intended to provide Yorkshire Water with flexibility when sourcing professional expertise for different assignments.
There is no stated maximum number of suppliers, although applicants must satisfy the relevant requirements and evaluation criteria. The framework also specifies a maximum supplier fee of 0%. Appointment to the framework does not guarantee any particular quantity or value of consultancy work.
How consultants can prepare a competitive CM3592 application
The relatively small number of lots makes it important for applicants to focus on the areas where they can demonstrate the strongest expertise.
Identify the right consultancy discipline
Begin by reviewing the scope of each lot and comparing it with your existing services and experience. A management consultancy specialising in organisational transformation may be best suited to Lot 1, while a business with expertise in economic regulation could focus on Lot 2. For consultancies offering several relevant services, the tender specifications should determine whether applying across multiple lots is appropriate.
Select strong contract examples
Relevant case studies can help demonstrate professional competence and delivery experience. Choose examples that closely reflect the services being procured, explaining the client's requirements, the work undertaken and the outcomes achieved. For regulatory consultancy, this might include complex economic analysis or support for regulatory reviews. For asset management, evidence could involve improved asset information, more effective investment planning or measurable operational improvements. Where possible, include results that demonstrate the value delivered by your consultancy.
Explain how assignments will be delivered
Public sector and utilities clients need confidence that consultancy services can be delivered consistently. Responses should explain how suitable personnel will be allocated, how projects will be managed and how the consultancy will maintain quality. Relevant arrangements may include project governance, reporting, stakeholder engagement and management of specialist resources.
Prepare the commercial submission
The commercial evaluation accounts for 30% of the available marks. Suppliers should review the required pricing schedules carefully and ensure that their proposed rates reflect the scope of services, resource requirements and expected delivery arrangements. Consistency between the technical and commercial responses is important, particularly where different grades of consultants or specialist personnel may be involved.
Thornton & Lowe also provides bid and tender management support for organisations coordinating complex submissions with multiple contributors.
How to apply for Yorkshire Water CM3592
The competition is being administered through Yorkshire Water's SAP Ariba procurement portal. Suppliers can access the Yorkshire Water supplier portal to review the procurement information.
Tender submission deadline: 3 November 2026 at 5pm.
Businesses that have not received an invitation to the tender can request access by emailing professionalservicetenders@yorkshirewater.co.uk, using CM3592 as the subject heading. Yorkshire Water can then issue an invitation through SAP Ariba. Suppliers who are not already registered must complete registration before submitting their responses. All tender communications, clarifications and submissions must be handled through SAP Ariba. Applications submitted by email or post will not be accepted.
Given the approaching deadline, interested consultancies should arrange portal access and review the tender documentation as soon as possible.
Bid writing support for Yorkshire Water consultants
The CM3592 Consultancy Framework creates opportunities for specialist advisers to support Yorkshire Water's strategic, regulatory and asset management requirements over the coming years. With capability carrying 70% of the evaluation, suppliers will need to demonstrate their expertise convincingly, supported by relevant project experience and clear delivery arrangements.
Thornton & Lowe works with consultancy businesses preparing public sector and utilities tenders, helping suppliers interpret requirements, organise supporting evidence and develop competitive responses. If you're considering applying for Yorkshire Water's CM3592 Consultancy Framework, contact Thornton & Lowe to discuss how we can support your submission before the November deadline.
