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Legal framework access advice

UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

AwardUpdate

15 Sep 2026 at 10:30

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Shared Business Services Limited procured specialist legal advice and drafting support for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The work supports NERC’s transition from its existing Strategic Relationship Agreements and related legacy instruments to a new set of centre-specific agreements. The supplier is expected to help ensure that the transition is lawful, defensible and aligned with UK Research and Innovation governance, while producing agreements that are clear and proportionate. This is a legal services requirement, specifically major projects and complex advice under the Crown Commercial Service legal services framework. Delivery is in the United Kingdom. The opportunity is relevant to law firms and legal advisory practices with experience of complex public-sector agreements, governance and contractual transition work.

This procurement has been completed and the contract was awarded to DLA Piper UK LLP on 26 March 2026. The award value is £99,000. The contract runs from 14 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The requirement was concluded as a direct award under CCS RM6360, Legal Services, Lot 2: Major Projects and Complex Advice; the procurement is also described as a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system using a selective method. The tender submission deadline was 24 March 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract was evaluated through the framework or purchasing-system route rather than an open competition. UK Shared Business Services Limited is the buyer, and DLA Piper UK LLP is the appointed supplier.

For firms assessing comparable future work, this award demonstrates demand for specialist legal support where a public research organisation must replace legacy relationship agreements with centre-specific arrangements. A credible competitor would need lawyers able to advise on complex public-sector contracting, draft multiple related agreements, manage legal and governance risk, and explain how proposed terms remain clear, proportionate and defensible. Experience of UK Research and Innovation governance or similarly regulated public bodies would be directly relevant. The requirement was considered suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so a specialist SME legal practice could be well placed where it can demonstrate the necessary major-projects capability, drafting strength and capacity to support an organisation through a structured contractual transition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Legal framework access advice

Notice Description

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded as a direct award under the CCS RM6360 or the provision of legal advice and services, Lot 2: Major Projects and Complex Advice. Brief Description of Requirement Provide specialist legal advice and drafting support to enable NERC to transition from the current Strategic Relationship Agreements (SRAs) and associated legacy instruments to a new suite of centre-specific agreements. The legal support will ensure the transition is lawful, defensible and aligned with UKRI governance and that the final agreements are clear and proportionate.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-4cd5a729-2074-4ea6-b880-2a495eb6a2bc
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2b5bee01-65b3-415d-ab76-b897579556ee
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£99,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
14 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DLA Piper UK LLP

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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