NW2675 - Leakage Detection Framework Agreement

Northumbrian Water (NWL) intend to put 3+2 year Framework Agreements in place with up to 3 suppliers for leakage detection services. Our Leakage Strategy is built around the industry recommendations focused around the core principles of PALM; Prevent, Aware, Locate and Mend. We are looking for Framework Agreement Partners who will support our Leakage Strategy for AMP 7 by providing a leakage detection service. Future awards on the Framework going into AMP 8 and, subject to internal NWL approvals, may be a combination of fixed work packages with a clear scope of work and acceptance criteria, or a model where appropriate resource(s) will be requested to work in certain regions within NWL's operating area in the North (please note that the Essex and Suffolk operating areas are not in scope for this Framework Agreement). We would need our prospective Framework Agreement partners to bring extensive knowledge of Leakage find, incorporated with their AI platform(s). Partners would be able to provide expert advice on how best to use market products or their own products, as well as the necessary skills to work as part of a blended team to locate leaks, prioritise leaks and use technology to drive efficiencies. NWL preferred working arrangements would be to operate as a blended squad with team members from our operational leakage teams as well as or analysts, performance managers and Leakage Strategy Manager as part of the Leakage Strategy team.

The key attributes that we are looking for in the procured partners are to support us in providing an easy, timely and high-quality active leak detection service, to assist our current live processes, and provide the knowledge and skills to develop our thinking in utilising technology in the right way to reduce leakage in the right area. We require our partner to give us advice on how to best and fully utilise the features of leakage products we already have to support our goal of realising maximum business value over the coming years.

Advert:

Northumbrian Water (NWL) intend to put 3+2 year Framework Agreements in place with up to 3 suppliers for leakage detection services. Our Leakage Strategy is built around the industry recommendations focused around the core principles of PALM; Prevent, Aware, Locate and Mend. We are looking for Framework Agreement Partners who will support our Leakage Strategy for AMP 7 by providing a leakage detection and related services. Future awards on the Framework going into AMP 8 and, subject to internal NWL approvals, may be a combination of fixed work packages with a clear scope of work and acceptance criteria, or a model where appropriate resource(s) will be requested to work in certain regions within NWL's operating area in the North (please note that the Essex and Suffolk operating areas are not in scope for this Framework Agreement). We would need our prospective Framework Agreement partners to bring extensive knowledge of Leakage find, incorporated with their AI platform(s). Partners would be able to provide expert advice on how best to use market products or their own products, as well as the necessary skills to work as part of a blended team to locate leaks, prioritise leaks and use technology to drive efficiencies. NWL preferred working arrangements would be to operate as a blended squad with team members from our operational leakage teams as well as or analysts, performance managers and Leakage Strategy Manager as part of the Leakage Strategy team.

The key attributes that we are looking for in the procured partners are to support us in providing an easy, timely and high-quality active leak detection service, to assist our current live processes, and provide the knowledge and skills to develop our thinking in utilising technology in the right way to reduce leakage in the right area. We require our partner to give us advice on how to best and fully utilise the features of leakage products we already have to support our goal of realising maximum business value over the coming years.

The partner capabilities would include the following resources as a minimum:

• Leakage Technician/s or Operational Team - on site technician/s to locate leaks
• Data Analysts
• Data Team Leaders
• Delivery and Account Managers

Key Technologies that would be required to supplement the service offering:

• Highly accurate AI and data driven service -Provide unerring accuracy of the leaks that matter to allow our teams to promote and manage the largest and most important leaks through the works management system to reduce run times.
• Privately-operated AI to differentiate leak noises from other sounds and leak sizing.

The following attributes shall be expected from a Framework Partner as a minimum:

• Provide own team with flexibility to upscale
• Provide own Leakage Detection equipment
• Performance Management
• Dedicated analyst support throughout the term of the contract
• Dedicated account and project management
• Flexible rates based on contract length and volume of kms
• The ability to provide engineering assistance if required during breakouts periods or emergencies

End-to-end leakage management capability is desirable.