NI Water has begun preliminary market engagement for a major integrated procurement framework that could provide the supply chain with long-term opportunities across Northern Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure programme.

The proposed IF109 Integrated Partnerships Framework represents the next stage in NI Water’s approach to procuring capital delivery capability, following its existing IF105 framework. The programme is expected to support future investment across water and wastewater infrastructure, including the next business planning and regulatory period from 2028, known as PC28.

NI Water is inviting suppliers to participate in an initial market engagement event on 26 August 2026. The session is intended to provide an overview of the proposed framework, outline emerging requirements and give prospective suppliers an opportunity to contribute feedback as the procurement strategy develops. Registration for the event closes at noon on 17 August.

The proposed framework is expected to create opportunities across a broad section of the water sector supply chain, with NI Water seeking organisations that can provide the skills, expertise and capacity required to deliver its future investment programme. Industry coverage has highlighted the framework’s potential value of approximately £12.6 billion, making it a significant prospective procurement opportunity for infrastructure and construction suppliers.

The procurement also reflects a broader shift towards longer-term and more integrated approaches to infrastructure delivery. Rather than focusing solely on individual projects, the framework is intended to provide a platform capable of supporting multiple capital programmes and projects over future investment periods.

Tzvetelina Bogoina, Director of Infrastructure Delivery at NI Water, said the framework would build on the foundations of the existing partnership model while introducing greater collaboration, integration and focus on outcomes. She also highlighted the need for flexibility, resilience and innovation as the water and wastewater sector responds to increasing infrastructure demands.

For suppliers, early market engagement provides an opportunity to understand the proposed procurement structure before the formal process progresses. It also gives NI Water access to market expertise that can help shape requirements and delivery arrangements while maintaining competition and avoiding unfair advantage.

The scale of the proposed framework points to a substantial future pipeline for contractors, consultants, engineers and specialist suppliers operating across the water infrastructure market. If developed as planned, IF109 could provide greater visibility of future work while supporting investment in essential services across Northern Ireland.

For the sector, the lesson is clear: major public procurement programmes increasingly depend on early collaboration with the supply chain. NI Water’s approach provides suppliers with an opportunity to engage before the formal procurement process begins, while helping shape a framework designed to deliver long-term infrastructure capacity, resilience and value for customers and communities.

Source: Mega Project / NI Water / Water Magazine