Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the number of bidders for NI Water contract C1247 by the tender closing date; (ii) the date on which the tender process, including due diligence of contractors, was completed; (iii) the date on which the decision was taken to award contract C1247 to the successful contractor; (iv) the date on which the decision was taken to subsidise the successful contractors TUPE obligations, under contract C1247; (v) the date on which the successful contractor formally accepted the offer to subsidise their TUPE obligation; and (vi) the date on which the successful contractor officially signed contract C1247.
Minister for Infrastructure: The issue you have raised is an operational matter for NI Water; however, I have sought the required information. NI Water has advised my Department as follows:
(i) At tender closing date, there were four bidders for each lot.
(ii) The issuance of the Intention to Award letter on 4 March 2025 marked the completion of the tender evaluation and award process.
(iii) Board approval to award the contract was given on 25 February 2025. Following receipt of Board minutes on 4 March 2025, Intention to Award letters were issued.
(iv) The successful contractors were not subsidised. On 24 June 2025 NI Water Board approved a capped arrangement in respect of eligible TUPE-related costs
(v) The relevant agreements were signed by the incoming contractors on 25 and 30 June 2025
(vi) A binding contract was formed through offer and acceptance. The successful bidder submitted its tender offer on 23 December 2024, and NI Water accepted that offer by issuing the award letter on 27 May 2025.
ENDS
