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Section 81 - Manhole Covers - Market Engagement Notice

Southern Water Services Limited · Private utility

In brief

Southern Water Services Limited has announced plans to buy this contract. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The notice does not state a value.

The contract runs for 4 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually high: a median of 6 bids per contract for similar contracts in this region (from 2139 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

SW is seeking a supplying partner that can manage the full lifecycle management of Section 81 manhole cover covers and frames notifications across the Mainland and Isle of Wight. This includes receiving and processing reports from DfT Street Manager and other channels, extracting key details, and creating the necessary work orders and inspection activities within internal systems. The supplier will be responsible for conducting onsite surveys to confirm ownership, assess condition, gather photographic and video evidence, determine the validity of Section 81 claims, and record accurate location data. A detailed knowledge of New Roads and Streetworks Act (1991) and Traffic Management Act (2004) is essential, as well as a proven track record in managing Utility covers and frames in the Highway.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 032252-2026

About the buyer

From notice 032252-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 9 April 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.