Seven water retailers have been added to the LASER framework, allowing them to bid for contracts to supply public sector organisations, it has emerged.
Water Plus, ADSM, Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Business Stream, Castle Water and NWG Business will compete to secure contracts across the UK.
The firms were added to the scheme in April 2017, following an assessment process. The deal gives them access to a market worth some £208 million.
The framework was established by Laser procurement services, which is owned by Kent County Council under its Commercial Services umbrella.
“The Official Journal of the European Union-compliant framework helps customers to benefit both financially and logistically from water competition,” said Matt Hull, Laser’s water services manager.
“Our focus on aiding customers through this process allows mini-tenders to be targeted around each customer’s individual requirements. Service levels are monitored against KPIs by LASER, with the potential to enforce Poor Performance Remedies if necessary,” he added.
The framework itself features a scoring criteria designed to fairly evaluate price, customer service and added value services to offer clients better value.
“Being able to participate in this framework gives us a welcome opportunity to demonstrate our expertise to organisations across the public sector and, importantly, reduce costs, which can then be spent on vital public services,” said Tony McHardy, corporate director at Water Plus.
Earlier this year, it was announced that nine retailers were set to share £960 million of public sector work, having been appointed to the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) water services framework for the public sector.
The non-domestic water market opened to competition on April 1 2017.