PRO005080– Purchase, Refurbishment, SMR of Specialist Vehicles
United Utilities Water LimitedEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
7 July 2026
Published
8 June 2026
Type
goods
Overview
United Utilities Water Limited is launching a competitive flexible procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023 to establish a multi-supplier framework for the purchase, refurbishment, life extension, service, maintenance and repair of specialist wastewater and network vehicles. The procurement is being run as an Invitation to Negotiate rather than through a separate Conditions of Participation Questionnaire stage.
Supplier suitability requirements, including financial standing, good standing, sustainability, health and safety, quality and cyber-security compliance, are incorporated within the ITN and assessed on a pass/fail basis. The framework is designed to provide United Utilities with a structured, commercially controlled route to market for operationally critical specialist vehicles used across wastewater networks, treatment works, pumping stations, depots, roadside environments and other operational locations.
These vehicles support activities such as sewer cleaning, jetting, vacuum recovery, de-silting, wet-well cleaning, sludge and silt removal, emergency draw-off, industrial cleaning and reactive network support. The tender is split into two specialist vehicle lots.
Regulations cited
- Procurement Act 2023
Additional details
Lot 1 covers Combination Sewer Cleaning Units, including vacuum tanker jetters, compact jetting-vacuum units, Vactor units and high-volume jet-vac units. The initial forecast requirement for Lot 1 is 34 units, although future requirements may vary depending on operational need, asset condition, budget availability and internal approvals.
Lot 2 covers High Vacuum Units, with an initial forecast requirement of 3 units. Both lots include not only new vehicle supply, but also refurbishment, life extension, service, maintenance and repair, spares, technical support, documentation, handover, training or familiarisation, and controlled hire contingency support where required.
The intended commercial model is ownership-led for the core fleet. United Utilities is seeking to reduce reliance on r
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
United Utilities Water Limited is looking for suppliers to sell, refurbish, repair and maintain specialist wastewater vehicles used in sewers and treatment works. This is a multi-supplier framework agreement split into two lots: Lot 1 for sewer cleaning vehicles (34 units needed initially) and Lot 2 for high-vacuum units (3 units needed initially). Suppliers will provide not just vehicles but also ongoing maintenance, spare parts, training and emergency hire support.
Requirements
- Must demonstrate financial standing and be in good financial health
- Must be in good standing (no serious breaches of regulations or court orders)
- Must meet sustainability standards and environmental compliance
- Must comply with health and safety regulations
- Must have quality management systems in place
- Must comply with cyber-security standards
- All suitability requirements assessed on pass/fail basis before tender evaluation
- Suppliers must be able to supply, refurbish, service, maintain and repair vehicles as required
- Must provide spare parts availability
- Must provide technical documentation and handover support
- Must provide training or familiarisation for operators
- Must be able to provide contingency hire support if needed
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Purchase new Combination Sewer Cleaning Units (vacuum tankers, jetters, compact jetting-vacuum units, Vactor units, high-volume jet-vac units) — initial order of 34 units
- Purchase new High Vacuum Units — initial order of 3 units
- Refurbish existing specialist vehicles to extend their working life
- Provide scheduled maintenance and planned servicing of vehicles
- Provide emergency repair services for broken-down vehicles
- Supply spare parts for all vehicles on the framework
- Provide technical documentation, manuals and support materials
- Deliver handover and commissioning of new or refurbished vehicles
- Deliver operator training and familiarisation on vehicles supplied
- Provide contingency hire vehicles when owned fleet is unavailable due to breakdown or maintenance
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is an 'Invitation to Negotiate' (ITN) process — this is less rigid than a traditional tender. United Utilities will work with selected suppliers to negotiate detailed terms, so your initial bid is a starting point, not a final fixed offer.
- 2The suitability stage (financial health, H&S, cyber-security compliance) is pass/fail and must be met before your bid is even looked at — don't skip this. Check the tender documents carefully for what proof they need (accounts, certifications, policies).
- 3This is a 'multi-supplier framework' — United Utilities will appoint multiple suppliers, not just one. You're bidding to be on their approved list, not for one single contract. Once on the framework, they'll place individual purchase orders over time.
- 4The forecast quantities (34 units for Lot 1, 3 units for Lot 2) are just estimates — actual orders could be higher or lower depending on their operational needs and budget. Read the small print on how volumes are guaranteed (or not).
- 5This tender covers the full lifecycle: buying new vehicles, refurbishing old ones, servicing, repairs, spare parts and emergency hire. Make sure you can genuinely deliver all of these, or clearly state which parts you'll subcontract.
Tips for Small Businesses
- Consider which lot suits you best. Lot 1 (sewer cleaning units) is much larger (34 units vs 3), so if you're smaller, Lot 2 might be more realistic — or bid for both if you can handle it. You don't have to bid for both lots.
- Refurbishment and ongoing support could be a major revenue stream on this framework — don't just focus on the initial vehicle purchase. Emphasise your servicing capability, spare parts network and response times. Many small businesses win by being the reliable maintenance partner, not the cheapest supplier.
- If you can't deliver everything (e.g. you make vehicles but don't do repairs), consider a consortium or subcontracting arrangement. The tender documents will explain if this is allowed and what you need to declare. Many successful bids involve a lead supplier with specialist partners.
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
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Buyer Profile
United Utilities Water LimitedKey Dates
Published
8 June 2026
Submission deadline
7 July 2026
Notice type
opportunity
Source
eu supply
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