What Option A (NEC3) really means.
Option A under NEC3 is a Priced Contract with Activity Schedule. In practice, it provides:
- A clearly defined scope
- Activity-based milestones
- Predictable, output-based pricing
- Measurable progress and governance
- Reduced commercial exposure for the client
This model forces clarity, discipline, and accountability – which is exactly what AMP8 demands.
Why Option A delivery is becoming the standard in AMP8.
For the UK water sector, Option A addresses the biggest programme challenges:
Speed of mobilisation: Large consultancies struggle to scale quickly. Option A enables specialist partners like Shirley Parsons to assemble multi-disciplinary teams in days.
Certainty of outcomes: The model is built around deliverables, not time spent, reducing risk and improving confidence in programme schedules.
Commercial transparency: Predictable pricing helps water companies plan, budget, and control spend across volatile investment periods.
Clear ownership: Under Option A, accountability sits with the supplier not the client. This drives stronger governance and higher-quality outputs.
What we deliver under Option A / NEC3.
We support clients by delivering complete engineering design packages, often covering:
- Strategic pipelines & trunk mains
- Distribution network upgrades
- Pumping stations & rising mains
- Treatment works expansions & compliance upgrades
- MEICA design
- Civil, structural & geotechnical packages
- Reservoirs, storage, resilience and raw water assets
This is not staff augmentation, it is outcome-based engineering delivery.
How our delivery model works.
- Scoping & Activity Schedule Development
We work with the client to define the package scope and build a milestone-driven activity schedule that aligns with NEC3 governance.
- Multi-Disciplinary Team Assembly
We assemble a complete design squad- civil, mechanical, electrical, process, project controls, matched to the scope and timeline.
- Design Governance & Leadership
Our leads manage:
- Programme structure
- Technical coordination
- Risk management
- Design assurance
- Communication with client and stakeholders
- Progress Reporting & Milestone Validation
Every activity is tracked to NEC3 requirements, ensuring commercial and technical transparency.
- Delivery of the Final Package
We hand over fully QA’d, multi-disciplinary design outputs ready for the next stage (construction, procurement, or further design).
Why water companies choose Shirley Parsons for Option A Delivery.
Multi-Disciplinary Capability: We draw from a deep network across civil, mechanical, electrical, process and geotechnical engineering, tailored to the asset class.
Rapid, Scalable Delivery Teams: We mobilise quickly, adjust as scope evolves, and provide teams that flex across programme peaks.
Outcome-Based Accountability: Clients trust us because we take responsibility for delivering the design, not just the individuals doing it.
Deep Water Sector Understanding: Our teams understand AMP8 drivers:
- Resilience expansion
- Nutrient and quality compliance
- Reinforcement of network capacity
- Drought planning & national infrastructure links
Cost-effective, efficient delivery model: We combine consultancy-level design capability with the agility and efficiency of a specialist delivery partner.
Partner With us on your AMP8 Design Packages.
If you need a partner who can move fast, take ownership, and deliver outcomes, our Option A / NEC3 model is built for exactly that. Get in touch with Framework Delivery Director Teo De La Cruz at teo.delacruz@sp-ec.com
