Anglian Water Services has opened a major procurement exercise to secure expert support for its forthcoming large-scale infrastructure programmes, announcing a framework with a potential value of up to £99 million.
The framework, dubbed Major Infrastructure Planning and Consents, Support and Advisory Services, covers five lots: Strategic Consenting Advisory; Consenting Leadership, Management and Development Consent Order (DCO) Application & Examination Support; Environmental Services; Stakeholder and Consultation Support & Advisory; and Land & Property Support & Advisory Services.
The services to be procured include strategic advice on planning policy and consent routes (including DCOs), consenting leadership and project management through pre-application and examination phases, environmental advisory services (such as habitat regulations assessments), stakeholder consultation and public engagement support, and land/property-related advisory services, including compulsory purchase and access for surveys.
The estimated full value of the framework agreement is between £50 million and £99 million (including VAT) over an anticipated 8-year period (initial 4 years plus a 4-year option).
The procurement will follow a “competitive flexible procedure.” The timetable shows requests to participate are due by 27 January 2026, with tenders submitted electronically, and contract award expected around May 2026 for most lots.
Up to 21 suppliers may be selected onto the framework; depending on the lot, a maximum of 6 or 7 suppliers per lot will be accepted. Once on the framework, work will be allocated via “call-off” contracts, either through mini-competitions or direct awards.
With this framework, Anglian Water aims to assemble a robust pool of external advisors and specialists to support the planning, consenting and delivery of its future major infrastructure initiatives. According to the announcement, this represents a “substantial procurement exercise” aligned with the company’s long-term investment plans.
