Award

PS24206 - Legal Advice in connection with DSIT's shareholding in Eutelsat Communications SA and OneWeb Holdings Limited

DSIT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

17 Nov 2025 at 11:45

Award Notice
Award

02 Dec 2024 at 07:16

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has conducted a procurement process to secure legal advice regarding its shareholding in Eutelsat Communications SA and OneWeb Holdings Limited. This is an award notice concerning a mini-competition under the CCS Legal Service Panel RM6179, specifically Lot 2 - Financial and Complex Legal Services. The process concluded in awarding a contract to Simmons & Simmons LLP for providing legal opinions, guidance, and support to manage the Eutelsat Group/OneWeb investment. The location of services includes the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, the Isle of Man, the Rest of the World, and the United Kingdom. The procurement was executed through a selective method, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract runs from 21 November 2024 to 13 November 2026, with a total value of £500,000. The process emphasises research and development services and legal services as its main industry categories.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in legal consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in financial and complex legal matters. The framework allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate, though this specific contract was awarded to a large-scale firm. Companies that can provide extensive legal advisory services across various jurisdictions, given the global scope, can benefit from such government contracts to expand their client base and enhance their reputations in the public sector. Being part of a prestigious panel can also lead to participation in similar future opportunities, helping firms to establish a strong foothold in governmental legal services endeavours.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PS24206 - Legal Advice in connection with DSIT's shareholding in Eutelsat Communications SA and OneWeb Holdings Limited

Notice Description

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded following a mini competition under the CCS Legal Service Panel RM6179 - Lot 2 - Financial and Complex Legal Services Brief Description of Requirement 7. To provide legal opinions, advice and guidance to support HMG management of its Eutelsat Group/OneWeb investment.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ba425aa2-d2dc-4b4b-ac46-9ec5c7a4357d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fec53e35-5f7e-458d-8c0f-e063a008d182
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Oct 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Nov 20241 years ago
Contract Period
21 Nov 2024 - 13 Nov 2026 1-2 years
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
DSIT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
professionalservices@uksbs.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Post Town
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

SIMMONS & SIMMONS

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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