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II.1.1) Title
Legal Services Framework
Reference number: C229
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Sovini Group (“Sovini”) invites tenders for organisations (“Service Providers”) to participate in a 48 month agreement (“the Agreement”) for the provision of Legal Services (“Services”). The range of services be supplied are detailed in the tender documentation. The agreement will be used by Sovini and all subsidiaries of Sovini, both current and future. Estimated expenditure across all lots during the Agreement will be in the region of 4 000 000 GBP — 5 000 000 GBP.
This tender is being undertaken as a light-touch pseudo-open procedure, as permitted under Regulations 74 — 77 of the UK statutory instrument Public Contracts Regulations 2015/102.
Sovini intends to award annual retainers for some lots of the framework. For all lots of the framework the service provider ranked first in each lot following evaluation of tenders will be required to provide a 20 minute helpline (free of charge) accessible by phone or email providing Sovini officers access to informal advice.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
5 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1: Corporate
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
Main site or place of performance:
North West (England)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to:
— procurement law,
— mergers and acquisitions,
— insurance (legal elements, not brokerage),
— joint ventures and corporate finance,
— funding (e.g. investment management, acquisition/disposal of group assets, loan/security support, drawdowns and advice on obtaining new or increasing existing facilities),
— changes to group structure.
It may also include support regarding regulatory/legislative compliance and provision of updates to the board and other matters relating to organisational structure.
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
1 800 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2: Employment
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
Main site or place of performance:
North West (England)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scope of Services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to:
— employment law,
— terms of employment,
— sickness/absence issues,
— pensions,
— equal opportunities,
— TUPE/outsourcing,
— tribunals (and settlement agreements),
— pensions,
— health and safety (employees),
— settlement agreements/COT 3s and organisational change.
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
120 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3: Housing Management
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
Main site or place of performance:
North West (England)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to:
— possession changes,
— anti-social behaviour,
— right to buy options (“RTB”) on existing housing stock,
— debt recovery,
— disrepair cases,
— landlord and tenant disputes,
— access injunctions,
— other general housing orientated litigation,
— training/advice support in housing management matters and compliance with any legislative matters pertaining specifically to housing law. Services to be provided will also extend to leaseholder rights, low cost home ownership, landlord and tenant issues including social housing tenancy advice and leaseholder consultations.
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
700 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Lot 4: Property, Land and Development
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
Main site or place of performance:
North West (England)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to:
— guidance on property,
— land and development matters acquisitions and disposals.
The types of support needed may include:
— RTB options on new build/refurbishment projects,
— leases (residential and commercial), licensing and conveyancing,
— open market sales,
— site/property development including:
—— associated plot sales,
—— environmental and planning,
—— construction,
—— easements,
—— compulsory purchase,
—— procurement and contractual matters for development and/or property maintenance.
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
900 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Lot 5: Commercial
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
Main site or place of performance:
North West (England)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to:
— advice and guidance regarding land acquisition,
— other conveyancing support,
— title searches with Land Registry,
— contract disputes/arbitration (e.g. JCT, NEC),
— bonds and guarantees,
— HR matters,
—health and safety (onsite accidents),
— commercial (e.g. shop) leases and disrepair disputes (as the Contractor).
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
500 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
VI.4.1) Review body
The High Court
Royal Court of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Sovini will incorporate a voluntary minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the Framework Agreement is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the decision to award the Framework Agreement before it is executed/signed.
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (“Regulations”) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Any such action must be brought promptly and within the time limits as defined in the above regulations. Where an agreement has not been entered into the court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the Contracting Authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the Framework Agreement has been entered into the court has the options to award damages and/or to shorten or order the Framework Agreement ineffective.