This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2026 at 10:53

Summary of the contracting process

The buying organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, has completed the procurement process titled "CORP168 Legal Advice for MARS", which falls under the legal services industry category. This call-off contract was awarded to Freeths LLP, following a selective procurement method through a framework agreement. The tender is set in the South West region of the United Kingdom, with essential milestones including a tender period end date of 24th June 2026 and a contract period from 3rd July 2026 to 2nd July 2027. The awarded contract, valued at £33,000, was formalised on 4th August 2026, and involves providing independent legal advice required for a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS). The procurement stage has reached completion, with the award now having active status as of 5th August 2026.

This tender presents promising opportunities for law firms, particularly those with expertise in employment law, looking to expand their portfolio in public sector contracts. The call-off framework allows the supplier to streamline the legal advice process, providing opportunities for growth and efficiency. Given the selective procurement method, businesses with a proven track record in offering comprehensive legal services to the health sector would be well-suited to such opportunities. Additionally, the procurement is noted to be suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), offering an accessible entry point into government contracting.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CORP168 Legal Advice for MARS

Notice Description

A Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) is a form of voluntary severance, designed to enable employees to leave their employment voluntarily in return for a severance payment. Critical to the MARS is for the employee to seek independent legal advice which is paid for by the Trust. The Trust has awarded a call-off contract with a single provider using an agreed pricing structure which limits duplication and saves time and money whilst still achieving the required level of independence.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d9c4f5b1-f48d-4ad0-a25a-c91a1138ef58
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

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


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£33,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£33,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
24 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Aug 20262 days ago
Contract Period
2 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TAUNTON
Postcode
TA1 4DY
Post Town
Taunton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Bishop's Hull & Taunton West
Westminster Constituency
Taunton and Wellington

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FREETHS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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