Tender

Provision of Barristers' Services Framework 2026

BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

18 Feb 2026 at 10:57

Tender

17 Feb 2026 at 15:57

PlanningUpdate

16 Sep 2025 at 09:30

Planning

08 Sep 2025 at 15:06

Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is undertaking the tendering process for its "Provision of Barristers' Services Framework 2026." This procurement, categorised under legal services, seeks to establish a framework agreement for the acquisition of barristers' services. The council, located in Bedford, UK, will utilise this framework to access barristers' expertise outside its in-house Legal Services Unit when necessary. The procurement is in the 'tenderUpdate' stage as of 18th February 2026, following a previous preliminary market engagement. The open procedure procurement method is employed, with a tender end date set for 16th March 2026. The enquiry period ends on 2nd March 2026, and the award decision is anticipated by 27th March 2026. Contracting will commence on 7th April 2026 and is expected to last until 6th April 2028, with possible extensions.

This tender presents an excellent growth opportunity for chambers and legal service providers specialising in various types of legal advisory and representation services, including adults, children, education, governance, planning, property, and litigation. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are specifically considered suitable candidates. The framework agreement structure, with both existing competition and potential reopening, ensures the scheme is beneficial for developing long-term business associations with Bedford Borough Council. Its financial scale, with a potential gross value of £2,880,000, indicates substantial business volumes. Legal practitioners with a robust background in legal documentation and certification services, as well as advisory and information services, stand well-positioned to utilise this framework to expand their client base and secure stable financial returns through sustained contracts backed by high-quality service delivery. Ensure proposal submissions are made via the Bedford InTend Portal in accordance with allocated weightings on quality, price, and social value.

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Notice Title

Provision of Barristers' Services Framework 2026

Notice Description

Bedford Borough Council ('the Council') invites Chambers to tender for the provision of a Barristers' Framework Agreement. This Framework will provide a route to market for the purchase of barristers' services, where there is demand for capacity or specialist expertise that cannot be met within the Council's in-house Legal Services Unit.

Lot Information

ACE

Barristers' Services for Adults, Children and Education (ACE)

Renewal: 2 x 12 months extensions

GPP&L

Barristers' Services for Governance, Planning, Property and Litigation (GPPL)

Renewal: 2 x 12 months extensions

Planning Information

Pre-Market Engagement – Barristers Framework 2026 Bedford Borough Council is seeking market feedback in preparation for the upcoming Barristers Framework 2026. The PME will run from 8th September 2025 to 29th September 2025 and focuses on the draft bid sheet and rate card to ensure accurate billing, fair value, and transparent budgeting. Suppliers are invited to access the documents and provide feedback via the InTend Portal. Use our electronic tendering portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bedford to: • view a list of tenders/contracts/quotations • view information on contracts already awarded • express interest in a particular tender or quotation • receive tender and/or quotation documentation • secure return your tender or quotation documents • send and receive correspondence Registration is free, and takes a few minutes. You will be able to express interest in any open opportunities when they become available. We can also access your details whenever we have an opportunity, and invite you to tender or quote for work. All business will be tendered through https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bedford. If you do not register, it will limit your company’s ability to tender for work. Contact our support team on 0844 272 8810 or email support@in-tend.co.uk if you have problems using the portal. If you are already a contractor with us, you can use the portal to help with contract management. this includes an updated contract register, expiry dates and regular contract reviews.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05961c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014649-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

79111000 - Legal advisory services

79112000 - Legal representation services

79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
16 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
13 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Apr 2026 - 6 Apr 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial.hub@bedford.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9AP
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

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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