Northern Ireland Water is establishing the Integrated Partnerships Framework to support its capital investment programme, focusing on various works and services necessary for water and wastewater projects across multiple lots.
Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) intends to undertake a procurement for the establishment of the IF109 Integrated Partnerships Framework (IF109). The future framework is being developed to support delivery of NI Water's capital investment programme and will succeed the existing IF105 Integrated Partnerships Framework, which is due to expire in May 2028. The framework is intended to support delivery of the PC28 investment programme and future regulatory periods whilst securing the capacity, capability, flexibility, value for money and resilience required to deliver NI Water's future capital programme. The IF109 Integrated Partnerships Framework is expected to support a range of works and related services including programme and project management, design, engineering, construction, commissioning, and other supporting or ancillary activities necessary to support the successful delivery of NI Water's capital investment programme. The framework is intended to support delivery of NI Water's future investment priorities, including regulatory compliance, service improvement, resilience enhancement, environmental performance and long-term sustainability objectives. The IF109 Integrated Partnerships Framework is currently expected to comprise four lots covering Minor Civil Pipelaying Works, Minor Civil Works, Minor MEICA & Process Works, and Major Civil, MEICA & Process Works. Together, these Lots are intended to support the delivery of projects ranging from small-scale network investment and rehabilitation activities through to large-scale, complex, multidisciplinary capital programmes across NI Water's water and wastewater asset base. NI Water is currently developing the procurement strategy, commercial model, lotting structure, appointment methodology, supplier allocation arrangements and delivery arrangements for the framework. Consequently, aspects of the future framework and procurement approach remain subject to further development and ongoing market engagement activities. Indicative Programme and Key Activities: NI Water will engage with the market throughout the development of the framework and prior to commencement of the procurement process. The current indicative programme is outlined below for information only and may be revised. NI Water may further refine its procurement programme over the coming months. • Supplier Market Briefing Event - 7th October 2026 • Publish UK 4 Tender Notice & Issue Participation Stage Package - 14th October 2026 • Notify pre-qualified suppliers - Q1 2027 • Supplier Market Briefing Event - Q1 2027 • Issue Invitation to Negotiate - Q1 2027 • Framework Award - Q4 2027 • Publish the applicable award and contract notices in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023: Q4 2027 Minor Civil Pipelaying Lot 1 is intended to support the delivery of pipelaying and network rehabilitation activities associated with below-ground water and wastewater infrastructure assets across Northern Ireland. Activities may include the design, investigation, installation, renewal, repair, rehabilitation, testing and commissioning of water distribution mains, wastewater sewers, rising mains, communication pipes and associated network assets. Typical project values are expected to range from £0 million to £3 million. Civil Minor Works Lot 2 is intended to support the delivery of civil engineering works across infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets where the principal delivery requirements are civil in nature. Activities may include the design, construction, refurbishment, testing and commissioning of tanks, chambers, reservoirs, pumping station civil works, treatment works civil infrastructure, building works and associated civil engineering activities. Typical project values are expected to range from £0 million to £10 million. Minor MEICA & Process Works Lot 3 is intended to support the delivery of MEICA-driven projects undertaken within operational water and wastewater treatment, pumping and process environments. Activities may include the design, manufacture, installation, integration, testing, commissioning, optimisation and replacement of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation systems, together with associated process engineering activities. Typical project values are expected to range from £0 million to £10 million. Major Civil, MEICA & Process Works Lot 4 is intended to support the delivery of large-scale, high-value and complex capital investment projects requiring integrated civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control, automation and process engineering capabilities. Typical projects may include the planning, design, construction, refurbishment, installation, testing, commissioning and handover of major water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations, service reservoirs, network infrastructure and other strategic capital projects. Typical project values are expected to exceed £1 million. NI Water anticipates that specific arrangements may apply to the award of higher-value and more complex projects within this Lot, including award in accordance with the objective supplier selection mechanism specified in the framework, further competition between eligible framework suppliers, or other allocation procedures expressly provided for in the framework documentation. Further details will be provided within the Participation Stage Package (PSP) documentation.