Planning

CDD Pipeline Notice

LEGAL AID AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 May 2025 at 17:32

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the Legal Aid Agency, a public authority in London's central government sector, is currently in the planning stage. It aims to secure services under the title "CDD Pipeline Notice," focusing on legal services. Taking place in the United Kingdom, the procurement notices significant timeline pointers, such as the competitive phase launch in summer 2025 with a service commencement date scheduled for 1 March 2026. The procurement is set to appoint two providers who will deliver 24/7 non-means-tested, telephone-based legal advice for individuals detained at police stations for non-indictable offences. Key changes to services aim to enhance flexibility for providers, creating opportunities to engage under a five-year contract worth up to £2,950,000, starting 1 March 2026 to 31 May 2031.

This tender could be an excellent opportunity for legal service providers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), who can benefit by accommodating the new flexible arrangements without onerous office requirements. The changes introduced aim to empower such organizations by reducing supervisory constraints and encouraging efficient client engagement. Interested businesses are encouraged to prepare for the submission process, utilizing the central digital platform and ensuring they meet the updated key performance indicators for client service delivery. The competitive nature of the procurement exercise opens pathways to growth for organisations capable of adapting to the new service requirements and optimising their operational models to secure a share of the public contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CDD Pipeline Notice

Notice Description

Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Service Procurement Exercise - Launch in summer 2025 The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, will run a procurement exercise to award contracts for two providers to deliver the CDD Service from on or around 1 March 2026. Key Details: * Service: 24/7 non means tested telephone-based legal advice for individuals detained at police stations for non-indictable offences. * Contract Award: Two providers will each manage 50% of the caseload (with possible variations). * Duration: 1 March 2026 - 31 May 2031. Procurement Process Updates: From 24 February 2025, all suppliers must use the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform to share their organisation's information with Contracting Authorities by providing a share code during the procurement process. If suppliers are still unable to create a share code after getting assistance from the Cabinet Office, please email contact: Crime.Contracts@justice.gov.uk. Key Service Changes: The LAA, as part of this procurement, will introduce the following key changes to the CDD Service that align with the move to enhanced flexibility and reducing barriers to support providers in successfully delivering the CDD contract and ensure consistency across similar services. For the new CDD Contract the LAA are: * allowing Applicants to choose the arrangements most suitable for their delivery models and are not specifying the office requirements; * removing supervisor-to-advisor ratios; * removing the requirement for supervisors to be on-site 35 hours/week; and * introducing a new KPI to track client engagement and timeliness of advice

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05251f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027145-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£2,360,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2026 - 31 May 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LEGAL AID AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
crime.tenders@justice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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