Bedford Pumps - Transparency Notice

Description

For the repair, refurbishment and supply of replacement parts for bespoke Bedford Pumps currently installed across its operational sites. Bedford Pumps is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of these assets and retains the proprietary intellectual property, technical knowledge and specifications required to support them. The contract is required to maintain the existing Bedford pumping assets until such time as Southern Water is able to replace or transition away from these pumps. The contract will provide for the inspection, diagnosis, repair and refurbishment of Bedford pump and associated pump condition monitoring equipment. Refurbishment services may include strip down, cleaning, machining, replacement of worn or defective components, reassembly and testing to OEM standards. The contract will also provide for the supply of genuine OEM replacement parts and critical spares, including components

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

Lucy.smith@southernwater.co.uk

Contract period

19 Nov 2026 → 18 Nov 2030

Value incl. VAT

£3.4m

Category

goods

Awarded suppliers

• Bedford Pumps Limited · GB-COH-04479527 · UKH24, GB

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

Bedford Pumps is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the bespoke pumping assets currently installed across Southern Water's operational wastewater sites. Bedford Pumps retains the proprietary intellectual property, technical specifications and specialist information required to manufacture certain replacement components and undertake the required repair and refurbishment activities. This information is not made available to alternative suppliers. As a result of these intellectual property and exclusive rights, only Bedford Pumps is able to provide the required goods and services for the existing assets and there are currently no reasonable alternatives while the pumps remain operational. Continued repair, refurbishment and availability of replacement parts is operationally critical. Failure of these pumping assets can result in loss of operational capability at wastewater sites and an increased risk of pollution incidents. The direct award will therefore allow Southern Water to maintain the existing Bedford pumping assets until they can be replaced or Southern Water is otherwise able to transition away from its dependency on the OEM.