North Northamptonshire Council has published a procurement opportunity for ​​sywell country park reservoir drawdown capacity improvement project​ with an estimated value of £1,180,000. The submission deadline is 12 May 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-08, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

​​The dam impounding Sywell Reservoir has been assessed by the Environment Agency (EA) as a Flood Category A (the highest), where a breach of the dam could endanger lives in a community.  The Council has a duty to ensure the reservoir is compliant with the Reservoir Act 1975, which includes the appointment of a supervising engineer to undertake annual inspections of the operation and maintenance of the reservoir, and undertake any maintenance and repairs recommended by the inspecting engineer. The 2022 inspection report identified a need to undertake a drawdown assessment of how quickly the water level in the reservoir can be lowered in emergency situations.

North Northamptonshire Council is the contracting authority for this procurement. The estimated contract value is £1,180,000 and the submission deadline is 12 May 2026. Suppliers should download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to businesses with relevant experience and qualifications. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing for a contract of £1,180,000, and hold relevant professional certifications and insurance.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, North Northamptonshire Council must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots accessible to smaller businesses.

• Proven track record in professional services contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £1,180,000 contract
• Relevant certifications: relevant professional certifications and insurance
• Capacity to mobilise within North Northamptonshire Council’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 12 May 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032096-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 12 May 2026: Late submissions are not accepted under UK procurement rules

What the buyer will evaluate

North Northamptonshire Council will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. For professional services contracts, buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion — demonstrate specific, costed commitments to local employment, skills, or environmental sustainability.

Writing a winning bid

The most common reason bids fail is generic content that does not address the buyer’s specific requirements. North Northamptonshire Council has stated precise objectives — your bid must demonstrate you have read and understood them.

• Lead with an executive summary addressing North Northamptonshire Council’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 12 May 2026

Key dates and next steps

The submission deadline is 12 May 2026. Competitive bids for professional services contracts require two to three weeks of preparation. Following submission, North Northamptonshire Council will typically complete evaluation within four to eight weeks.

• Download all documents from Find a Tender today
• Confirm your organisation meets all eligibility requirements
• Assign a bid lead and set internal milestones now
• Submit clarification questions as early as possible

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires North Northamptonshire Council to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers. Check for lots designed to be accessible to smaller businesses.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The 12 May 2026 deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

How long does evaluation take?

North Northamptonshire Council will notify all bidders once evaluation is complete. Allow four to eight weeks from the submission deadline.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032096-2026. Always use the official source.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by North Northamptonshire Council or the UK government.