Northumbrian Water has announced an invitation for contractors to bid for a position on its £160 million reactive sewerage repair and maintenance framework, according to Bidstats. The framework, which is split into various lots, offers flexibility based on the applicants' proposals. The water company is considering either appointing a single contractor for its entire operating region under Lot 3 or splitting the contract between two contractors for the north and south regions, under Lots 1 and 2, respectively.
Lot 3 encompasses the reactive repair and maintenance of approximately 30,000 kilometers of Northumbrian Water's sewerage network. This includes addressing all customer-reported issues and subsequent maintenance. If the contract is divided, Lot 1 will cover 14,000 kilometers in the north, and Lot 2 will manage 16,000 kilometers in the south. The total value of Lot 3 stands at £160 million, with Lots 1 and 2 each valued at £80 million if separated.
The scope of work primarily involves providing emergency services in response to customer contacts and other short-term issues that significantly impact customer service or other service measures. This includes a round-the-clock, year-round emergency call-out cover for all reported issues. The framework outlines tasks such as pipelaying construction, sewer construction, and sewerage and drainage maintenance.
Contractors must be capable of handling a variety of issues, including internal, external, and highway flooding, pollution events, blockages, collapses, and hazardous manholes. Northumbrian Water's in-house technical support team will manage most flooding and pollution incidents alongside the contractors to ensure efficient resolution. Investigative measures may involve CCTV inspections, dye testing, locating manholes, cleansing, root cutting, and proactive mapping.
Potential sewer repairs outlined by Northumbrian Water include:
- Dig down repairs
- Emergency burst rising main repairs
- Trenchless patch or lining repairs
- Pipe bursting
- Minor building over sewer diversions
- New manholes, manhole repairs, and manhole cover/frame replacements
- Manhole trap removal
- Minor pipe-bridge and sewer outfall repairs
Additional services may involve extensive cleanups, vegetation clearance, landscaping, specialist combined sewer overflow maintenance, and the fabrication and installation of specialist ironworks such as penstocks or gattic covers.
The framework is initially set for four years, with the possibility of a four-year extension subject to negotiation. Interested contractors must submit their bids by 12pm on 19 July.
