Crown Commercial Service tweaks approach to next £200m legal services framework for 'Wider Public Sector'
The Crown Commercial Service has launched the procurement of the latest version of its legal services framework for use primarily by the “wider public sector”, which is estimated to be worth £200m over the next four years.
The framework will be available to all approved UK public sector bodies and their associated bodies including, Devolved Administrations — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Wider Public Sector including Health and Education bodies, Local and Regional Government organisations, Emergency Services and Third Sector organisations.
In November 2018 the CCS appointed 71 providers, including Hampshire County Council, to its current legal services framework for the wider public sector. This was estimated to be worth £272m at the time.
That framework was divided into the following lots:
- Regional service provision (estimated value £70m). [Hampshire was appointed to Lot 1.]
- Full service firms - required to provide services across 17 listed mandatory specialisms (£130m).
- Property and construction (£40m).
- Transport rail (£32m).
The CCS has announced that the next framework will comprise of the following Lots:
- Lot 1a - Full Service Provision - England and Wales
- Lot 1b - Full Service Provision - Scotland
- Lot 1c - Full Service Provision - Northern Ireland
- Lot 2a - General Service Provision - England and Wales
- Lot 2b – General Service Provision – Scotland
- Lot 2c – General Service Provision – Northern Ireland
- Lot 3 - Full Service - Transport/Rail
The framework will be established for 48 months.
For Lots 1a, 1b and 1c (Full Service Provision), suppliers will deliver all of the mandatory requirements as detailed in Framework Schedule 1 (Specification) of the Framework Contract including the 16 'Mandatory Legal Specialisms' that specifically relate to lot 1:
- Administrative and Public Law
- Non-Complex Finance and Investment
- Contracts
- Competition Law
- Corporate Law Data
- Protection and Information Law
- Employment
- Information Technology
- Infrastructure
- Intellectual Property
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Partnerships
- Pensions
- Public Procurement
- Property, Real Estate and Construction
- Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change
There are also 24 optional legal specialisms suppliers may provide, “if qualified to do so”.
The CCS said a framework contract would be awarded to a maximum of 22 bidders for Lot 1a, 18 bidders for Lot 1b and 15 bidders for Lot 1c.
Lots 1a, 1b and 1c are estimated to be worth £90m.
For Lots 2a, 2b an 2c (General Service Provision), suppliers will deliver all of the mandatory services as detailed in Framework Schedule 1 (Specification) of the framework contract including a minimum of one of the 15 'Elective Legal Specialisms' as follows:
- Property and Construction
- Social Housing
- Child Law
- Court of Protection
- Education
- Debt Recovery
- Planning and Environment
- Licensing
- Pensions
- Litigation / Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property
- Employment
- Healthcare
- Primary Care
- Mental Health law
The CCS said a framework contract would be awarded to a maximum of 70 bidders for Lot 2a, 30 bidders for Lot 2b and 25 bidders for Lot 2c.
These lots are also estimated to be worth £90m.
In relation to Lot 3, suppliers will deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in Framework Schedule 1 (Specification) of the framework contract including the single mandatory legal specialism of Transport (Rail). This covers all aspects of transport and rail law, including but not limited to: rail transport law; rolling stock; planning and authorisation (rail); and projects and infrastructure (rail).
The suppliers will have to provide national coverage to buyers in all jurisdictional areas within the UK.
The CCS said a framework contract would be awarded to a maximum of 10 bidders for Lot 3, which has an estimated value of £20m.
The time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 3:00pm on 28 March 2022.