The water company is looking to establish a framework agreement with up to two partners to undertake design and construction of major projects to support delivery of its AMP8 capital programme. They could be design-and-construct organisations or a joint venture of capable partners with proven experience in delivering portfolios of magnitude.

Each successful bidding entity must have the capability and capacity to deliver all aspects of the design and construction activities set out within the scope of the framework agreement which is detailed in the tender documentation. This includes the appropriate supply chain ecosystem to support delivery of projects.

The framework will cover a diverse mix of work, including Civil engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation (MEICA), Green and traditional Civil engineering and Process technology.

Anglian Water reserves the right to expand the scope of works under the framework agreement to respond to evolving regulatory, environmental, and programme needs. Options may include:

The first projects under the framework agreement will include the water company’s AMP8 coastal water improvement projects valued at over £400 million, which involves major projects to reduce storm spills and bacteriological factors impacting coastal waters. The framework is also intended to be used for subsequent major projects in AMP8 and AMP9, including enabling growth and environmental improvements.

Schemes will include catchment-wide, place-based investment programmes in key seaside spots, including Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and Southend in Essex, with nature-based solutions, such as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Across both catchments, over £150 million will be invested to capture 190 million litres of excess flows during heavy rainfall so they can be fully treated.

In eight other priority areas – including King’s Lynn, Boston, and several sites in Suffolk – the water company will be investing over £250 million to protect and enhance water quality by reducing storm spills and carrying out bacteriological reductions.

Jason Tucker, Director of Commercial Operations for Anglian Water, said:

“Over the past 20 years we have nurtured a mature supply chain with incredible partners, delivering billions of pounds of investment in successive AMPs. This new framework will bring on new expert partners, alongside our Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) and existing delivery routes, such as our industry-leading @one alliance, Strategic Pipeline Alliance and Integrated Operational Solutions (IOS) Alliance, to ensure we have the highly specialist delivery skills required for these coastal schemes”.

Boosting Anglian’s alliancing model

The procurement is being delivered outside Anglian Water’s existing delivery routes to protect current delivery capacity and introduce additional capability for AMP8 and beyond. The framework will enable Early Contractor Involvement, fostering collaboration from the outset and ensuring efficient, cost-effective delivery.

Andy Alder, Managing Director of Major Infrastructure, said:

“We are excited to launch the procurement of our new Major Projects Framework. This framework has been designed to enable collaboration across design and construction, bringing together partners with major project delivery experience and technical capability needed to deliver complex, high value projects across the water sector. At its heart are the principles that matter most to us: uncompromising safety, exceptional quality, and improved productivity at every stage. Above all, this is about delivering with purpose—ensuring the outcomes we create strengthen our region’s resilience, protect our environment, and support the long-term needs of the communities we serve.”

The procurement process consists of the following stages:

Deadline for submission of enquiries about the framework is 5:00pm on 24 February 2026 and the deadline to submit requests to participate is 12:00pm on 4 March 2026.

Interested suppliers can access the procurement documents via Anglian Water's online e-sourcing platform, Scanmarket where the RFI event can be accessed via the following link:

https://esourcing.scanmarket.com/SupplierRegistrationNewSuppliereventId=843634&ccsum=c3285eb3b7f51f5d0fb40d176cf52a54

Suppliers who are already registered with Scanmarket should navigate to their profile page and ensure all requested questionnaires are completed and up to date. Incomplete profiles may prevent further participation in the event.

Suppliers who are not already set up as a supplier on the system will need to register as a new supplier first. Once they have completed the supplier registration the system will automatically provide access to the event.

Anglian Water expects to announce the contract award decision in July 2026.