Planning

**PME-PREMARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY** Barrister Framework 2026

BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

16 Sep 2025 at 09:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

08 Sep 2025 at 15:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is undertaking a Pre-Market Engagement (PME) for the planned Barristers Framework 2026. This exercise is currently in the planning stage, running from 8th September 2025 until 13th October 2025. The council, located at Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, is seeking to gather feedback to refine the framework's rate card and bid sheet, aiming for accuracy, fairness, and transparency in legal services procurement. The focus industry category is legal services, and the engagement is structured to prepare for the eventual tender process, which may feature a framework agreement. Interested suppliers are encouraged to provide feedback through the InTend Portal before the due date to help influence the final tender documentation.

This engagement presents substantial growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the legal sector. It is particularly well-suited for businesses offering legal advisory, representation, documentation, and certification services. By participating in this PME, suppliers can influence the procurement framework to align closer with market practices, potentially leading to better billing accuracy and value for money. Engaging early can not only prepare businesses for future tenders but also position them as competitive candidates when the full framework is implemented. Participation does not guarantee a future contract but ensures businesses are informed and included in the feedback loop, which can enhance their market positioning in upcoming tenders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

**PME-PREMARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY** Barrister Framework 2026

Notice Description

**PREMARKET ENGAGEMENT ONLY** Barrister Framework 2026 Pre-Market Engagement (PME) Information and Introduction BBC BDOT 03983 Barristers Framework 2026 Introduction Bedford Borough Council is preparing to launch the forthcoming Barristers Framework 2026. As part of the early planning stage, we are conducting a Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise to seek supplier feedback on the proposed approach, specifically the draft bid sheet and rate card that will form part of the procurement documentation. This PME will be live on the InTend Portal from Monday, 8th September 2025 and will close on Monday, 13th October 2025. Purpose of the PME The purpose of this PME is to engage with potential providers and gather constructive feedback on the proposed bid sheet, with a particular focus on: * Ensuring the rate card structure reflects actual service delivery and avoids inaccuracies in billing. * Identifying how the current half-day rate card (e.g., where counsel may only be in court for two hours) could be adapted to better reflect value for money. * Testing whether the bid sheet allows for accurate budgeting and billing, including instances where spot-purchase pricing may apply outside of the framework. * Gathering market views on how the spreadsheet could be improved for transparency, fairness, and efficiency in billing. o We would kindly ask if you could supply your own rate card outside of the framework on a separate spreadsheet or within the spreadsheet provided so that we can forecast any potential savings by using this Framework. For example, if the price is more by undertaking a spot-purchase agreement for certain services then this will allow evidence of cost savings during the lifetime of the Framework if said services were to be used. Your insights will directly shape the final tender documentation, ensuring the framework is robust, commercially sound, and aligned with market practice. How to Participate 1. The PME documents, including the draft bid sheet, are available via the InTend Portal. 2. Providers are invited to review the documents and provide written feedback through the portal. 3. Feedback should be returned no later than 13th October 2025, 17:00hrs. Next Steps Following the close of the PME, we will review all feedback and, where appropriate, incorporate changes into the final tender documentation for the Barristers Framework 2026. Providers who engage in this PME will not be given preferential treatment in the subsequent procurement exercise but will contribute to shaping a more effective and transparent framework. Contact All communication and responses must be submitted via the InTend Portal Direct correspondence with officers outside of the portal will not be responded to. Information regarding InTend signup and Portal You will be added to the PME exercise via InTend. If you have any issues or queries regarding login details or passwords please use the information below. 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.

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05961c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056839-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 30 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

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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