Framework for the provision of a Tunnelling, Drilling & Shaft Works for Build Only and Design & Build
Estimated value
£1.2bn
Awarded value
—
Suppliers
0
Lots
2
Published
23 Apr 2026
Description
The Utilities requirement is for the provision of a multi lot Tunnelling, Drilling & Shaft Works Framework for the delivery of works as Build Only and Design & Build across the Utilities regions. The Lots are detailed below. B = Build Only, D&B = Design & Build 1 B Pipe Ramming 1 D&B Pipe Ramming 2 B Thrust Boring 2 D&B Thrust Boring 3 B Horizontal Directional Drilling (25-630) 3 D&B Horizontal Directional Drilling (25-630) 4 B Horizontal Directional Drilling (630-1200) 4 D&B Horizontal Directional Drilling (630-1200) 5 B Horizontal Directional Drilling - Rock Drilling (50-500) 5 D&B Horizontal Directional Drilling - Rock Drilling (50-500) 6 B Timber Heading 6 D&B Timber Heading 7 B Micro Tunnelling 7 D&B Micro Tunnelling 8 B Auger Boring 8 D&B Auger Boring 9 B Direct Pipe 9 D&B Direct Pipe 10 B Pipe Jacking 10 D&B Pipe Jacking 11 B Segmental Tunnelling 11 D&B Segmental Tunnelling 12 B Under Pinning (Free Air) 12 D&B Under Pinning (Free Air) 13 B Under Pinning (Compressed Air) 13 D&B Under Pinning (Compressed Air) 14 B Open Caisson Wet 14 D&B Open Caisson Wet 15 B Open Caisson Dry 15 D&B Open Caisson Dry 16 B Sheet Piled Pits 16 D&B Sheet Piled Pits 17 B Timber Shafts 17 D&B Timber Shafts Interested parties are to note; - the Utilities requirements will be predominantly Design & Build. - participants can not bid for a shaft lot in isolation (lots 12-17) they must have drilling/ tunnelling capability. - during tendering bidders will be evaluated and subsequently awarded Lots where bidders have demonstrated the required competency. The Utilities intend to call of works via mini competition or direct allocation where direct allocation allows. Further detail is provided in the PQQ and RFP Briefings and tender documents
Scope
- Reference
- Doc3039598058
- Total value
- £1,200,000,000 excluding VAT£1,440,000,000 including VATAbove the relevant threshold
- Commercial tool
- Standalone contract
- Contract dates
- 29 Sept 2026 to 29 Sept 2038Possible extension to 30 Mar 2041
Initial Term 12 years with option to extend for a further 3 years in 1 year increments. (12+1+1+1)
- Main category
- works
- CPV classifications
- 450000006500000076000000
- Contract locations
- North East England, United KingdomNorth West England, United KingdomYorkshire and the Humber, United KingdomEast Midlands, United KingdomWest Midlands, United KingdomEast of England, United KingdomLondon, United KingdomSouth East England, United KingdomSouth West England, United KingdomWales, United Kingdom
- Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Award criteria
Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | — | quality | 100.00% |
Participation
Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.
Post Advert the tender process will consist of; A PQQ (Prequalification Questionnaire) - Technical Assessment only. The PQQ stage is designed to help the Utilities identify and shortlist bidders who meet the minimum capability and compliance requirements for the scope outlined. Bidder's responses will be scored out of an aggregate score of 74 not 100. 26 being reserved for assessment where the bidder selects to undertake works as Principal Designer & Contractor. Shortlisted bidders will be invited to submit an RFP (Request for Proposal). An RFP (Request for Proposal) - Technical/Commercial/Price Assessment. Shortlisted bidders from the PQQ stage will be invited to submit detailed proposals on how they will deliver the requirement(s). These proposals will be evaluated and scored to determine the bidder(s) offering the best overall value for the contract and subsequent appointment to the framework. Bidders responses will be scored out of an aggregate score of 100. Split by; 70% Technical 30% Price The approach to evaluation and shortlisting is described in the Tender Briefing Packs.
Post Advert the tender process will consist of; A PQQ (Prequalification Questionnaire) - Technical Assessment only. The PQQ stage is designed to help the Utilities identify and shortlist bidders who meet the minimum capability and compliance requirements for the scope outlined. Bidder's responses will be scored out of an aggregate score of 100. Shortlisted bidders will be invited to submit an RFP (Request for Proposal). An RFP (Request for Proposal) - Technical/Commercial/Price Assessment. Shortlisted bidders from the PQQ stage will be invited to submit detailed proposals on how they will deliver the requirement(s). These proposals will be evaluated and scored to determine the bidder(s) offering the best overall value for the contract and subsequent appointment to the framework. Bidders responses will be scored out of an aggregate score of 100. Split by; 70% Technical 30% Price Calling Works Off Under the Framework Works will be called off under the framework via mini competition. A breakdown of the award criteria being; Technical 60% - Price - 40%. The approach to evaluation and shortlisting is described in the Tender Briefing Packs.
Submission & procedure
- Enquiry deadline
- 15 Apr 2026, 10:59 pm
- Submission address
- Posting ID: 1110008752 Sourcing ID: Doc3039598058 Response Deadline: 28/04/2026 14:00 Preview Link: https://portal.us.bn.cloud.ariba.com/dashboard/public/appext/comsapsbncdiscoveryui#/RfxEvent/preview/1110008752?anId=ANONYMOUS
- Electronic submission
- Yes
- Procedure
- Competitive flexible procedure
Lots · 2 total
Divisions of the contract. Each lot can be awarded separately.
| Lot | Title | Est. value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | Build Only - Tunnelling, Drilling & Shaft Works | £300.0m | active |
| 2 DB | Design & Build - Tunnelling, Drilling & Shaft Works | £900.0m | active |