Tender

Legal Services

APUC LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

17 Sep 2025 at 00:00

Planning

29 Jan 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The contract for "Legal Services" is being tendered by APUC Limited, a central purchasing body located in Stirling, Scotland, focusing on the education sector. The open procedure aims to appoint contractors for specialist legal services directed at further and higher education institutions across Scotland. The procurement stage is currently at the tender phase, with submissions to be electronically made by 21st October 2025 at 14:00 hours, followed by the expected commencement of the award process from 21st October 2025, 15:00 hours. The value of this procurement is estimated at £12,000,000, with a significant emphasis placed on quality and technical competence, accounting for 60% of the evaluation criteria, while price considers 40%. The framework agreement envisages a contract spanning 1080 days with the option for extension subject to satisfactory performance and institutional requirements.

This tender represents a significant business opportunity, particularly for legal firms experienced in handling sectors like commercial-business law, property and estate legal needs, and people/HR matters. It also spans specialisms in charity, international, education law, and dispute resolution involving student matters. Businesses with capabilities in these areas, looking to expand their portfolio within the Scottish education sector, would find this tender particularly lucrative. Successful proposals must demonstrate robust supply chain management, evidence of timely payment practices, and compliance with the Law Society of Scotland standards, thereby making it suitable for well-established firms with a strong track record in delivering comprehensive legal services, and the capability to support community benefits, including training and professional development opportunities for students.

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Notice Title

Legal Services

Notice Description

APUC are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of specialist Legal Services for the further and higher education sector in Scotland. APUC are looking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all institutions regardless of size and demand.

Lot Information

Commercial-Business

Provision of legal services in Commercial-Business specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Procurement & other contract law - Commercial corporate governance - Joint ventures - Banking, finance, insurance and taxation - Company formation - Corporate finance - Bond Issuance, mergers and acquisitions - Competition law - Freedom of Information - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - Intellectual Property - Technology Law including Software Licensing Agreements - Software Licensing Agreements - Debt collection - Commercial and consumer debt collection. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

One-Stop-Shop

Institutions shall be entitled to appoint a single firm to advise and/or represent on all matters of law, which may include some or all of the specialist areas in technical expertise described above. This may involve the provision of a full legal advice service to an Institution or may involve working in partnership with an in-house legal resource, providing supplementary legal resource or expertise from time to time as caseload requires across more than one of the specialisms.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

Property & Estates

Provision of legal services in Property & Estates specialism including but not limited to the following: - Conveyancing - Landlord and tenant law - General estate management issues - Planning law - Major building projects - Student accommodation - Construction and Engineering - Environmental law - CONTEST - Martyn's Law. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

People / HR Matters

Provision of legal services in People / HR Matters specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Employment relations - Employment contracts and policies - UK Visas & Immigration matters - Equality and diversity - Organisational change - Health and safety - TUPE - Pension law and advice - Student support and regulatory matters - Data protection - Freedom of Information - Fair Working Practices - Employment dispute resolution including tribunals. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

Charity

Provision of legal services in Charity specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Charity law - Fundraising and sponsorship - Constitutional and parliamentary issues (including bulls, charters and statutes) - Charity corporate governance.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

International

Provision of legal services in International specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Public International Law - Law of the Sea - International Criminal Law - International ventures - International Humanitarian Law - International Human Rights Law - Refugee Law - Private International Law - Supranational Law. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

Dispute Resolution (Including Student Matters)

Provision of dispute resolution legal services including student matters including, but not limited to, the following: - Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration - Commercial and property related litigation and dispute resolution - Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions - Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims - Reputation management, including defamation - Judicial review - Briefing and recommendation of Counsel - Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, failure to educate, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes - Data protection in a staff and student matters context - Representation on behalf of the University at appeal / complaint / disciplinary hearings as required - Student contract issues including the procedures for the making of offers and for enrolment - Compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and other regulatory bodies in relation to the student contract for tuition (including fee issues) - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements in Scotland and provide full assistance with any investigations undertaken by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

Education Law and Research

Provision of legal services in Education and Research specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Academic research (including grants) & research originated knowledge transfer. - Compliance with broader regulatory frameworks, including Material Asset Transfers, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), and international protocols such as the Nagoya Protocol.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000789019
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539396
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

66513000 - Legal insurance and all-risk insurance services

66513100 - Legal expenses insurance services

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
£12,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
August 2029

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
APUC LIMITED
Contact Name
Graeme Kerr
Contact Email
gkerr@apuc-scot.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1314428930

Buyer Location

Locality
STIRLING
Postcode
FK8 2DZ
Post Town
Falkirk and Stirling
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Stirling
Electoral Ward
Stirling East
Westminster Constituency
Stirling and Strathallan

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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                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "60%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
                }
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
                "title": "International",
                "description": "Provision of legal services in International specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Public International Law - Law of the Sea - International Criminal Law - International ventures - International Humanitarian Law - International Human Rights Law - Refugee Law - Private International Law - Supranational Law. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.",
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "60%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
                }
            },
            {
                "id": "6",
                "title": "Dispute Resolution (Including Student Matters)",
                "description": "Provision of dispute resolution legal services including student matters including, but not limited to, the following: - Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration - Commercial and property related litigation and dispute resolution - Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions - Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims - Reputation management, including defamation - Judicial review - Briefing and recommendation of Counsel - Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, failure to educate, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes - Data protection in a staff and student matters context - Representation on behalf of the University at appeal / complaint / disciplinary hearings as required - Student contract issues including the procedures for the making of offers and for enrolment - Compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and other regulatory bodies in relation to the student contract for tuition (including fee issues) - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements in Scotland and provide full assistance with any investigations undertaken by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.",
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
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                            "name": "Technical",
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            },
            {
                "id": "7",
                "title": "Education Law and Research",
                "description": "Provision of legal services in Education and Research specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Academic research (including grants) & research originated knowledge transfer. - Compliance with broader regulatory frameworks, including Material Asset Transfers, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), and international protocols such as the Nagoya Protocol.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015",
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                            "type": "quality",
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                },
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                "submissionTerms": {
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                "contractPeriod": {
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                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements"
                }
            }
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        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-06-20T00:00:00Z"
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            "scheme": "CPV"
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        "legalBasis": {
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            "scheme": "CELEX"
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        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethod": [
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        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-10-21T14:00:00Z"
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            "startDate": "2025-10-21T15:00:00Z"
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        "documents": [
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                "id": "SEP539396",
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                "title": "Legal Services",
                "description": "APUC are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of specialist Legal Services for the further and higher education sector in Scotland. APUC are looking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all institutions regardless of size and demand.",
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        },
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            "hasElectronicPayment": true,
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "performanceTerms": "Submission of Management Information following commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide a performance report to the Authority on a quarterly basis to include spend by Institution under the Framework Agreement for the reporting period. Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter. Data must be uploaded to the website: http://ucsp.ac.uk."
        },
        "otherRequirements": {
            "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "Providers must be accredited by the professional body relevant to the delivery of these services (Law Society of Scotland)."
                },
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "minimum": "Please refer to Question 4B.5 of the SPD and Economic and Financial Standing section of the Contract Notice. Tenderers must confirm that they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award: Professional Risk Indemnity: 3,000,000.00 GBP Employer's (Compulsory) Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP Public Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP To demonstrate and evidence suitable economic standing, successful Contractors will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded to the Framework Agreement. Alternatively, if the Contractor is unable to provide the required accounting information, e.g. due to being a new business, then they will be required to provide a banker's letter demonstrating their willingness to the support the Contractor's organisation over the term of the framework agreement. Please refer to 4B.6 of the SPD"
                },
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "minimum": "Tenderers must confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This includes confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly (i.e. no later than30 days after the invoice (or similar claim) relating to the payment is presented) and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of: a) their standard payment terms b) >=95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year. If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance."
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                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession"
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            ]
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
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            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 180
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        },
        "techniques": {
            "hasFrameworkAgreement": true,
            "frameworkAgreement": {
                "maximumParticipants": 48
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        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "August 2029"
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    "description": "Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Suppliers should confirm they will be in a position to complete (at point of award) the following: Appendix A Form of Tender Appendix B Freedom of Information Appendix D APUC Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 29883. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason: Sub-Contracting is not a significant part of the overall anticipated contract spend. Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: The Contractor will work with the Authority to deliver Community Benefits or social value where they are identifiable throughout the term of the Framework Agreement. Examples of Community Benefits or social value are: providing training opportunities to staff and students and investment in the local community. Student law clinics supported or hosted to provide practical learning experience. Mentorships linking professionals with students for career guidance. Work experience placements for students, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds. Apprenticeships offering structured career entry routes. Sponsorships of student initiatives, community projects, or events. Professional development opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or masterclasses. Investment in the local community (e.g., funding community projects, volunteering, supporting charities). (SC Ref:804364)",
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    "relatedProcesses": [
        {
            "id": "1",
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