Official UK procurement notice
Ground Investigation Works and Services
Authority: Anglian Water Services (Public body)
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionAnglian Water intends to award a Ground Investigation (GI) Framework with 5 Lots.
Each Lot will cover a subset of activities. Call off contracts may only include select activities from within the GI Framework Specification.
All Works and Services to be delivered are expected to meet Yellow Book Standards where applicable.
- Lot 1 - GI Works (contract value over 100K)
- Lot 2 - GI Services (contract value over 100k)
- Lot 3 - GI Works (contract value below 100k)
- Lot 4 - GI Services (contract value below 100k)
- Lot 5 – Ground Water Investigation Works and Services (contract value below 100k)
The proposed GI Framework Specification will cover a range of GI Works and Services, which will include:
- Intrusive investigations (boreholes, trial pits, probe holes),
- In-situ testing and instrumentation,
- Groundwater monitoring and pumping tests,
- Specialist investigations (e.g. embankment dams, floodplain deposits, peat, contaminated land, mineral workings).
- Drilling - (Window Sampling, Cable percussion, Rotary, Slope Climbing)
- Field Testing
- Geophysical Testing
- Installation Monitoring and Sampling
- Reinstatement
- Daily Records
- Surveying
- Lab testing (during works supervision)
- Reporting
- Works Supervision
- Lab Testing (after works supervision or survey)
- Reporting
- Desk studies and development of Ground Models
- Geotechnical Consulting
Lot 1 and 2 Opportunities
Reservoirs
The Fens Reservoir is situated between Chatteris and March in Cambridgeshire with a target date to start construction by 2029.
The Lincolnshire Reservoir is situated south-east of Sleaford, about halfway between Grantham and Boston with a target date to start construction by 2031.
Both reservoir projects plan to have continued large scale GI requirements over the next 2 to 5 years in the run up to submission of the Development Consent Orders (DCO).
Desalination and Water Recycling
GI is expected to be required to enable construction of de-salination plants in Bacton, Mablethorpe and, Holland on Sea as well as an advanced water recycling plant in Colchester.
Strategic Pipeline Alliance
The Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) is a new network of large-scale interconnecting pipelines and associated infrastructure stretching from North Lincolnshire to Essex. The pipeline will be 580km in total; including an addition of 260km of interconnectors in AMP8.
GI will be required on the SPA projects to inform the design of the proposed interconnector assets including pipelines, thrust blocks, valves, storage tanks, pumping stations, as well as several trenchless crossings.
Lot 3 and 4 Opportunities
The @One Alliance is a long-standing capital alliance of 8 strategic partners who deliver more than half of our capital investment programme. Projects undertaken by this workstream are typically preparation and testing work for smaller scale construction projects that fall outside of the remit of the Major Infrastructure workstream. Typically, this could be the restoration or assembly of new Water Treatment Works, Water Recycling Centres and renewing or providing essential new infrastructure pipework to support the growth of water and wastewater distribution.
Generally, these are regular small to medium sized projects, with[SW2.1] a typical estimated value of between £20k and less than £100k per GI package of works. Quick turnaround times are generally required.
Lot 5 Opportunities
The Ground Water Operations Team ensure full operability of groundwater assets to maintain the upstream security of supply.
This team require borehole drilling to collect groundwater quality data or water level data.
Generally, these are regular small to medium sized projects, with a typical estimated value of between £20k and less than £100k per GI package of works. Quick turnaround times are generally required.
Terms and Conditions
The GI Framework Agreement will be a bespoke Anglian Water set of terms and conditions. The suite of call off contracts will be amended NEC4 call off contract options including:
- NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC),
- NEC4 Engineering and Construction Short Contract (ECSC),
- NEC4 Professional Services Contract (PSC)
- NEC4 Professional Short Services Contract (PSSC)
This is detailed further in the Bidder Requirements Commercial Position document which is referenced in the Document Index and uploaded for your reference in Ariba.
The process for call off contract, direct awards and contracting models are detailed in the GI Framework Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Guidance Document and accompanying suite of documents in Ariba as referenced in the Document Index.
The Supplier may be required to undertake the role of Principal Contractor under the CDM Regulations 2015 where specified in the relevant Call-off Contract.
Estimated spend for the potential eight-year duration of the Framework Term is £29,537,750 excluding VAT. Please see below cost estimates per Lot.
Lot 1 £15783750
Lot 2 £5261250
Lot 3 £6164100
Lot 4 £1541000
Lot 5 £787750
Values are excluding VAT
- How the procedure runs: Planned Procurement Notice published which has allowed reduced PQQ response time. Anglian Water reserves the right: • to down select and shortlist Bidders at each Prequalification and Tender Stage. • include or discount a BAFO stage and rounds of negotiations as required during the Tender stage • Create minor amendments to Prequalification and Tender stage documents (including award criteria and appendices) as required. The Procurement Exercise consists of the following steps. Stage 1: Prequalification Stage: Part A – PQQ Written Submission Part B - Supplier Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ) Suppliers will be shortlisted at this stage up to a maximum of ten per Lot. Only these suppliers will be invited to participate in Stage 2. The maximum number of Bidders invited to tender for each Lot is as described above unless either: • The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist more Bidders based on two or more Bidders having comparatively close scores (within 2%); or • The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist less Bidders based on there being a comparatively large gap between those highest scoring Bidders scores. Please note each Bidder may submit a Prequalification Questionnaire (PQQ) Response for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2. However, a Bidder that submits a PQQ Response for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2 will not be eligible to submit a PQQ Response for Lot 3, Lot 4 or Lot 5. Each Bidder may submit a PQQ Response for Lot 3 and/or Lot 4 and/or Lot 5. However, a Bidder that submits a PQQ Response for any of Lots 3, 4 or 5 will not be eligible to submit a PQQ Response for Lot 1 or Lot 2. Following assessment of the PQQ Responses and the application of the relevant pass/fail criteria, Bidders will be shortlisted for each Lot, subject to the maximum number of shortlisted Bidders being 10 Bidders per Lot at prequalification stage. Notwithstanding the bidding restrictions set out above, Anglian Water reserves the right, following the initial shortlisting process, to allow a Bidder that has submitted a PQQ Response for a particular Lot and has passed all applicable pass/fail criteria to be considered for, and invited to bid for, another Lot where the maximum number of 10 shortlisted Bidders for that Lot has not been reached. The down selection and criteria to do so is detailed further in the Grounds Investigation Pre-Qualification (PQQ) Guidance Document available via the link in this notice to Ariba. Stage 2: Tender Stage Stage 2A - Written Submissions Stage 2B (optional) - Negotiation and Best and Final Offer (BAFO) Stage 2C - Framework Award and Standstill We will shortlist Bidders at tender stage using Technical, ESG and Commercial award criteria before awarding Bidders onto the GI Framework. This is detailed in the GI Framework Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Guidance Document. • Lot 1 - 5 Bidders maximum • Lot 2 - 5 Bidders maximum • Lot 3 - 6 Bidders maximum • Lot 4 - 6 Bidders maximum • Lot 5 - 6 Bidders maximum The maximum number of Bidders on each Lot is as described above unless either: • The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist more Bidders based on two or more Bidders having comparatively close scores (within 2%); or • The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist less Bidders based on there being a comparatively large gap between those highest scoring Bidders scores. Successful Bidders will be awarded onto a Lot/s of the GI Framework. This is not a guarantee of work. Anglian Water reserves the right to: · include or discount one or more stages of dialogue, clarification, presentation and/or negotiation with Bidders. · following evaluation of initial Tenders, reduce the number of Bidders progressing to subsequent stages in accordance with the published award criteria and evaluation methodology by down selecting and shortlisting Bidders at each stage. · invite remaining Bidders to submit revised Tenders (BAFO) reflecting any matters discussed during dialogue or negotiation stages. · create minor amendments to Invitation to Tender Documents and award criteria. Tender Stage Documents Tender stage Documents will include: • The ITT Questionnaire and Guidance Pack • Framework Agreement • Suite of Call off Contracts • Call off Contract Allocation Forms • Call off Specification Template
CPV: Drilling and exploration work · Engineering studies · Excavating work · Excavation work at archaeological sites · Foundation work and water-well drilling · Geological and geophysical consultancy services · Geotechnical engineering services · Ground investigation services · Ground investigation work · Infill and land-reclamation work · Infill work · Laboratory services · +5 more
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Framework period
- 5 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 26 Feb 2027
Published description of the framework
Dependant on the pricing option selected as the call off method
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Ground Investigation Works (value over £100K)RenewalPublished value£15,783,750
GI Works activities with a call off contract value of over £100k within the Anglian Water region.
The activities within Lot 1 Scope are set out in the GI Framework Lot 1 and 2 Framework Specification.
Anglian Water reserves the right to ask Suppliers to provide collateral warranties for the Scope of Works undertaken on this Lot.
Suitable Call-off Contracts will be entered into, as applicable to relevant Call-off Scope, including the NEC4 ECC and ECSC.
Further detail is provided in the Bidder Requirements Commercial Position Document (refer to Document Index and Ariba section containing uploads)
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
Lot #2Ground Investigation Services (contracts over 100k)RenewalPublished value£5,261,250
GI Services activities with a call off contract value of over £100k within the Anglian Water region.
The activities within Lot 2 Scope are set out in the GI Framework Lot 1 and 2 Framework Specification.
Anglian Water reserves the right to ask Suppliers to provide collateral warranties for the Scope of Works undertaken on this Lot.
Suitable Call-off Contracts will be entered into, as applicable to relevant Call-off Scope, including the NEC4 PSC and PSSC.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
Lot #3Ground Investigation Works (contracts below 100k)RenewalPublished value£6,164,100
GI Works activities with a call off contract value of below £100k within the Anglian Water region.
Collateral warranties are not expected to be required.
This Lot is considered to be suitable for SMEs.
The activities within Lot 3 Scope are set out in the GI Framework Lot 3 and 4 Framework Specification.
Suitable Call-off contracts will be entered into, as applicable to relevant Call-off Scope, including the NEC4 ECC and ECSC.
Further detail is provided in the Bidder Requirements Commercial Position Document (refer to Document Index and Ariba section containing uploads)
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
Lot #4Ground Investigation Services (contracts below 100k)RenewalPublished value£1,541,000
GI Services activities with a call off contract value of below £100k within the Anglian Water region.
Collateral warranties are not expected to be required.
This Lot is considered to be suitable for SMEs.
The activities within Lot 4 Scope are set out in the GI Framework Lot 3 and 4 Framework Specification.
Suitable Call-off contracts will be entered into, as applicable to relevant Call-off Scope, including the NEC4 PSC and PSSC.
Further detail is provided in the Bidder Requirements Commercial Position Document (refer to Document Index and Ariba section containing uploads)
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
Lot #5Groundwater Investigation Works and Services (contracts below 100k)RenewalPublished value£787,750
Groundwater Investigation Works and Services with a call off contract value of below £100k within the Anglian Water region. Typical estimated value of between £20k and less than £100k per GI package of works. Quick turnaround times are generally required.
Collateral warranties are not expected to be required.
This Lot is considered to be suitable for SMEs.
The activities within Lot 5 Scope are set out in the GI Framework Lot 5 Framework Specification.
Suitable Call-off contracts will be entered into, as applicable to relevant Call-off Scope, including the NEC4 ECC, ECSC, PSC, and PSSC.
Further detail is provided in the Bidder Requirements Commercial Position Document (refer to Document Index and Ariba section containing uploads).
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Technical: 50%
- Commercial: 40%
- Environmental, Social and Governance: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Technical: The supplier will be asked a number of questions to understand specifically how they would deliver the requirements of this Lot for Anglian Water.
- Commercial: The supplier will be required to submit their pricing.
- Environmental, Social and Governance: How the supplier will deliver these elements to meet the values of Anglian Water and their supply chain.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Tender Stage:
Technical / Quality 50%
Price 50%
Environmental, Social and Governance 10%
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Ground Investigation Works and Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Works
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 30 Sept 2026, 08:41 BST
- Last source update
- 14 Oct 2026, 15:18 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 26 Feb 2027
- Authority reference
PPNP-6811-ZVQY- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-092120- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-077d04Find a Tender
- How it runs
Planned Procurement Notice published which has allowed reduced PQQ response time.
Anglian Water reserves the right:
- to down select and shortlist Bidders at each Prequalification and Tender Stage.
- include or discount a BAFO stage and rounds of negotiations as required during the Tender stage
- Create minor amendments to Prequalification and Tender stage documents (including award criteria and appendices) as required.
The Procurement Exercise consists of the following steps.
Stage 1: Prequalification Stage:
Part A – PQQ Written Submission
Part B - Supplier Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ)
Suppliers will be shortlisted at this stage up to a maximum of ten per Lot. Only these suppliers will be invited to participate in Stage 2.
The maximum number of Bidders invited to tender for each Lot is as described above unless either:
- The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist more Bidders based on two or more Bidders having comparatively close scores (within 2%); or
- The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist less Bidders based on there being a comparatively large gap between those highest scoring Bidders scores.
Please note each Bidder may submit a Prequalification Questionnaire (PQQ) Response for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2.
However, a Bidder that submits a PQQ Response for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2 will not be eligible to submit a PQQ Response for Lot 3, Lot 4 or Lot 5.
Each Bidder may submit a PQQ Response for Lot 3 and/or Lot 4 and/or Lot 5.
However, a Bidder that submits a PQQ Response for any of Lots 3, 4 or 5 will not be eligible to submit a PQQ Response for Lot 1 or Lot 2.
Following assessment of the PQQ Responses and the application of the relevant pass/fail criteria, Bidders will be shortlisted for each Lot, subject to the maximum number of shortlisted Bidders being 10 Bidders per Lot at prequalification stage.
Notwithstanding the bidding restrictions set out above, Anglian Water reserves the right, following the initial shortlisting process, to allow a Bidder that has submitted a PQQ Response for a particular Lot and has passed all applicable pass/fail criteria to be considered for, and invited to bid for, another Lot where the maximum number of 10 shortlisted Bidders for that Lot has not been reached.
The down selection and criteria to do so is detailed further in the Grounds Investigation Pre-Qualification (PQQ) Guidance Document available via the link in this notice to Ariba.
Stage 2: Tender Stage
Stage 2A - Written Submissions
Stage 2B (optional) - Negotiation and Best and Final Offer (BAFO)
Stage 2C - Framework Award and Standstill
We will shortlist Bidders at tender stage using Technical, ESG and Commercial award criteria before awarding Bidders onto the GI Framework. This is detailed in the GI Framework Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Guidance Document.
- Lot 1 - 5 Bidders maximum
- Lot 2 - 5 Bidders maximum
- Lot 3 - 6 Bidders maximum
- Lot 4 - 6 Bidders maximum
- Lot 5 - 6 Bidders maximum
The maximum number of Bidders on each Lot is as described above unless either:
- The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist more Bidders based on two or more Bidders having comparatively close scores (within 2%); or
- The scores are such that it is rational to shortlist less Bidders based on there being a comparatively large gap between those highest scoring Bidders scores.
Successful Bidders will be awarded onto a Lot/s of the GI Framework. This is not a guarantee of work.
Anglian Water reserves the right to:
- include or discount one or more stages of dialogue, clarification, presentation and/or negotiation with Bidders.
- following evaluation of initial Tenders, reduce the number of Bidders progressing to subsequent stages in accordance with the published award criteria and evaluation methodology by down selecting and shortlisting Bidders at each stage.
- invite remaining Bidders to submit revised Tenders (BAFO) reflecting any matters discussed during dialogue or negotiation stages.
- create minor amendments to Invitation to Tender Documents and award criteria.
Tender Stage Documents
Tender stage Documents will include:
- The ITT Questionnaire and Guidance Pack
- Framework Agreement
- Suite of Call off Contracts
- Call off Contract Allocation Forms
- Call off Specification Template
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 27 Oct 2026, 23:00 GMT
- Appointment period ends
- 27 Oct 2026, 23:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Oct 2026, 23:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
30 Sept 2026 → 26 Feb 2027 · 6 dates- Tender notice published27 days ago30 Sept 2026, 08:41 BST
- Latest notice published13 days ago14 Oct 2026, 15:18 BST
- Clarification questions by5h ago27 Oct 2026, 23:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends5h ago · period end, not a bid countdown27 Oct 2026, 23:00 GMT
- Today28 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 120 days26 Feb 2027
- Award decision expected byin 121 days26 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
Notice history
4 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 30 Sept 2026- Tender notice published30 Sept 2026, 08:41 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published14 Oct 2026, 13:06 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published14 Oct 2026, 14:48 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published14 Oct 2026, 15:18 BSTUK4
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-09: 1 release · 30 Sept 2026
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Through our online sourcing portal, Ariba, via a unique reference provided.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender