Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement

{
    "tag": [
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    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a-2026-07-23T16:36:42+01:00",
    "date": "2026-07-23T16:36:42+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWCB-8418-YTPD",
            "name": "Utility Regulator",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWCB-8418-YTPD"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "16-22 Great Victoria Street",
                "locality": "Belfast",
                "postalCode": "BT2 7AQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKN06"
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            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "SSDAdmin.CPD@finance-ni.gov.uk"
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                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
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                    {
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                        "scheme": "UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS",
                        "description": "Northern Irish devolved regulations apply"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVWG-8426-YWXV",
            "name": "CPD - Supplies and Services Division",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVWG-8426-YWXV"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "303 Airport Road West",
                "locality": "Belfast",
                "postalCode": "BT3 9ED",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKN06"
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            "roleDetails": "Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland"
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    "buyer": {
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        "name": "Utility Regulator"
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    "tender": {
        "id": "ID 6281449",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement",
        "description": "The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (Utility Regulator) is seeking to put in place a framework for legal advice to support the in-house team. The framework consists of four Lots. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the requirements of this Framework Agreement. The overall estimated framework value is PS4 Million (ex VAT), however you should note the requirement is demand led and the Buyer does not give any guarantee as to the volume of work that will be commissioned under this framework. The Framework Agreement will be valid for a period of 3 years with an option to extend for one further year.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
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                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79100000",
                        "description": "Legal services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79110000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and representation services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79111000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory services"
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112000",
                        "description": "Legal representation services"
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112100",
                        "description": "Stakeholders representation services"
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79130000",
                        "description": "Legal documentation and certification services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79140000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and information services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "75231100",
                        "description": "Law-courts-related administrative services"
                    }
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                        "region": "UKN",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
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            {
                "id": "2",
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79100000",
                        "description": "Legal services"
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79110000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and representation services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79111000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112000",
                        "description": "Legal representation services"
                    },
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112100",
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
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                        "description": "Legal documentation and certification services"
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
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                        "description": "Legal advisory and information services"
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                        "description": "Legal services"
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
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                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79111000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112000",
                        "description": "Legal representation services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112100",
                        "description": "Stakeholders representation services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79130000",
                        "description": "Legal documentation and certification services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79140000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and information services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "75231100",
                        "description": "Law-courts-related administrative services"
                    }
                ],
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                    {
                        "region": "UKN",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
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                "id": "4",
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79100000",
                        "description": "Legal services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79110000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and representation services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79111000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112000",
                        "description": "Legal representation services"
                    },
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79112100",
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                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79130000",
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79140000",
                        "description": "Legal advisory and information services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "75231100",
                        "description": "Law-courts-related administrative services"
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                        "region": "UKN",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
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        "value": {
            "amountGross": 4800000,
            "amount": 4000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
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            }
        },
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below. Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer. The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
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                "id": "1",
                "title": "Energy/Water/Utilities Specialist Legal Expertise. General utilities law expertise (UK Wide)",
                "description": "Advice, support and, where appropriate, legal representation in all areas of Energy, Utilities and Water Law, including, but not limited to; Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of energy law and regulation to include the interpretation of related licence conditions that are of direct relevance to the work of economic regulators and the energy industry in the UK. Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of water law and regulation including the Water and Sewerage Services in the UK and relevant licences.",
                "status": "active",
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                    "amountGross": 1500000,
                    "amount": 1250000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
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                    "weightingDescription": "70 percent qualitative, 30 percent quantitative",
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC1 Proposed Team Experience",
                            "description": "44.8 percent"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC2a Service Methodology - matching",
                            "description": "4.2 percent"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC2b Service Methodology",
                            "description": "4.2 percent"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC2c Service Methodology - counsel",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC3a Service Delivery - business needs",
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                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC3b Service Delivery - respond to work assignments",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC4 Contingency Arrangements",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "AC5 Category A Hourly Rate",
                            "description": "15 percent"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "AC6 Category B Hourly Rate",
                            "description": "15 percent"
                        }
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                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
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                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "CoP1 Practicing Certificate CoP2 Quality Standards CoP3 Cyber Essentials Plus"
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                    "currency": "GBP"
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                            "type": "quality",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "AC6 Category B Hourly Rate",
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                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "There is an option to extend for one further year."
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            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "title": "Commercial, Corporate and Contract Law; Property Law: and Employment Law and Information Law (NI Specific)",
                "description": "Advice on corporate / commercial law including the Companies Act 2006 and all forms of contractual disputes and potential litigation which need commercial energy contract experts in GB. Advice on EU procurement law. Advice on finance law arrangements for example loan agreements, debentures, share equity issues, debt financing. Advice on insolvency law for example administration, special administration, schemes of arrangement. Advice on NI employment and trade union law. Advice on information law including application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of property law including but not limited to: Disposal, purchase and development of land and property, including development agreements and construction documentation. Compulsory acquisition of land, compensation law and representation at Lands Tribunal.",
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                    "amountGross": 1200000,
                    "amount": 1000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
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                    "weightingDescription": "70 percent qualitative, 30 percent quantitative",
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                            "type": "quality",
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                            "name": "AC2a Service Methodology - matching",
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                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC2b Service Methodology",
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                        {
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                            "name": "AC2c Service Methodology - counsel",
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                        {
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                            "name": "AC3a Service Delivery - business needs",
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                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "AC3b Service Delivery - respond to work assignments",
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                            "description": "CoP1 Practicing Certificate CoP2 Quality Standards CoP3 Cyber Essentials Plus"
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                "hasRenewal": true,
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                }
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "title": "Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution (NI Specific)",
                "description": "Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of civil litigation and dispute including but not limited to: General litigation: Contract disputes, tort claims, judicial reviews. Regulatory enforcement: Legal support in enforcing statutory duties or defending against challenges. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation, arbitration, expert determination. Disclosure and evidence handling. Specialist litigation: Environmental, competition, or procurement-related disputes.",
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                    "amount": 500000,
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        "documents": [
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                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
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                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
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                    "startDate": "2030-07-23T23:59:59+01:00"
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        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "For details on invoicing procedures please see : https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice The estimated value figure indicated in the Scope Section represents an overall estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account the potential optional extension period. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the Buyer can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Buyer does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Suppliers remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Supplier in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Buyer at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a Supplier shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the Buyer."
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}