Ofwat sets out guidance for sewerage firms on assessing bioresources bids

Ofwat has published final guidance on the framework sewerage companies should use in assessing bids from other sewerage firms or third parties to provide bioresources services.

Sewerage companies are expected to detail how they will assess bids, to boost transparency and support the development of a bioresources market.

The regulator set out three key principles that company bid assessment frameworks need to embed: transparency; equal treatment/non-discrimination (including in the consideration of in-house bids with external ones); and proportionality.

It also told firms to “take appropriate measures to prevent, identify and remedy any conflicts of interest arising from the procurement process, to avoid distortion of competition and ensure equal treatment of all bidders”.

Ofwat said companies must ensure full implementation of the guidance by the end of September.