Award

Overseas Territories Legal Services

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

13 Jun 2025 at 11:45

Award

22 May 2025 at 08:31

Summary of the contracting process

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a central government public authority in the United Kingdom, has completed the procurement of "Overseas Territories Legal Services." This tender addresses the drafting of national maritime legislation for the UK's Overseas Territories to ensure compliance with international maritime obligations. The procurement was carried out using a direct award method due to the unique expertise required, which was supplied by Knightwood Legal. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with the contract having been signed on 6th June 2025 and effective from 7th June 2025 to 31st March 2026. This project is integral to the completion of the MCA's Maritime Obligations Programme and is not expected to have any reasonable alternatives in the market, focusing on legal services classified under CPV code 79100000 and based in Southampton and Eastleigh, UK.

This tender presents expansion opportunities for businesses offering niche legal expertise in maritime legislation, specifically tailored to the needs of national and international compliance. While the current contract has been awarded to Knightwood Legal, it underscores the demand for highly specialised knowledge, offering prospective service providers insights into areas where skill development or strategic collaboration might be fruitful. SMEs with capabilities or interests in maritime legal frameworks could find incentivisation in pursuing future tenders in this vein, particularly within sectors related to international maritime law and the legal obligations of territories under UK administration.

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Notice Title

Overseas Territories Legal Services

Notice Description

This requirement to secure legal advice and drafting of national maritime legislation for the UKs Overseas Territories (OTs) to ensure compliance with, and implementation of, International Maritime Obligations and its Conventions.

Procurement Information

This provision is required to secure legal advice and drafting national legislation for the MCA's Maritime Obligations Programme to aid the UK Overseas Territories in meeting legal compliance with international obligations. The MCA intends to use the Direct Award procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 due to the services only being supplied by a particular economic operator as competition is absent for technical reasons. Previous procurement activity identified that Maritime legal expertise with understanding of the legislative structures of the Overseas Territories is a niche requirement and not widely available within this sector. The buying authorities understanding is that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. Retaining the same service provider also ensures continuity and provides consistent advice as the Programme's enters its final phase.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051c93
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032260-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£137,200 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£137,200 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 May 20259 months ago
Contract Period
6 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
contracts@mcga.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO15 1EG
Post Town
Southampton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Banister & Polygon
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KNIGHTWOOD LEGAL

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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