Water distribution and related services

Tender description

United Utilities is currently undertaking market research/pre-market engagement and would be interested in hearing from suppliers who are able to provide services for the supply, storage and delivery of bottled water as outlined within the specification below. United Utilities will then use this information to help determine the overall approach and future strategy in relation to a future tender. Any subsequent procurement will be advertised at a later date via a separate notice. United Utilities (UU) is inviting Bidders to participate in this periodic indicative notice for the provision of supply, storage and delivery of bottled water. The requirement is for a single supplier to provide UU with the associated services during both reactive and planned occasions to ensure the provision of essential water supply at all times. In particular, providing continuity of water supply to our customers. The supplier must also have the provision and expertise to effectively supply bottled water to vulnerable sector groups which UU consider as priority service customers. Any supplier responding to this notice must be able to provide the full list of services outlined below: Provision of bottled water: — supply and delivery of bottled water to UU sites in the event mains water cannot be distributed to end customers. This supply must adequately cover volumes to provide a temporary water solution whilst work is carried out to restore mains water supply, — the request for bottled water distribution must be available at short notice, — it is essential that the supplier can adhere to guaranteed response times, as outlined within an agreed Service Level Agreement, — ability to comply with relevant quality standards, including but not limited to the DWI Regulation 31, — ensure that all bottled water supplied meets a particular specification such as, material and size, as outlined by UU, — the supplier shall guarantee that their staff hold relevant training and certifications, including but not limited to customer service, manual handling, health and safety, and water hygiene, — it is desirable that the supplier is able to provide information of any eco-efficiencies they can offer for alternative materials to plastic. This can include any innovations for reducing the plastic percentage in bottles supplied and any types of recyclable packaging. Delivery of bottled water to customers: — the supplier must have the ability to retain and deliver bottled water to UU Priority Service customers properties across the North West of England. This would be during planned and unplanned incidents involving disruption to the supply of portable water, — the supplier should have the facility to reach properties based in urban areas during incidents such as freeze-thaw events, — this service should be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without exception, — it is essential that the supplier can adhere to guaranteed response times, as outlined within an agreed Service Level Agreement, — the ability to comply with relevant quality standards, including but not limited to the DWI Regulation 31, — the supplier shall guarantee that their staff hold relevant training and certifications, including but not limited to customer service, UU priority service awareness, manual handling, health and safety, and water hygiene, — it is desirable that the supplier is able to provide innovations on recycling procedures for collection of both used and unused bottles from customer properties.