Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Stockton on Tees Borough Council
Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby
Stockton on Tees
TS176BJ
UK
E-mail: corporateprocurement@stockton.gov.uk
NUTS: UKC11
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
DA from NEPO for Appointment of DWF Lawyers
Reference number: CORS.45.2627
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
To approve the direct award of a contract to DWF Law LLP under the NEPO Legal Services Framework for specialist external legal services in connection with the Council's proposed acquisition of Billingham Town Centre.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
70 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC11
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The appointment will comprise one overall appointment with two separately scoped but interdependent commissions.
Commission 1 - Public Law, Subsidy Control and Compliance Advice
The continuation and extension of specialist legal advice previously provided by DWF to the Council in relation to subsidy control, public law, governance and other compliance issues concerning the proposed acquisition of interests within Billingham Town Centre.
Commission 2 - Property Acquisition and Transactional Legal Services
Subject to the Council's decision-making processes and, in particular, any subsequent decision by Cabinet to approve the acquisition, DWF will provide the property and transactional legal services required to progress and complete the acquisition.
The work includes legal due diligence, title investigation, review of occupational leases, property enquiries and searches, lease reporting, negotiation and completion of the transaction documents, and transaction/project management.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation
Option 1 - Undertake a Further Competition Under the NEPO Legal Services Framework
This option was considered but rejected because a new provider would need to familiarise itself with the same transaction history, previous advice and legal analysis already undertaken by DWF, resulting in duplication of work, additional cost and delay.
Option 2 - Retain DWF for Advisory Work but Procure a Separate Property Adviser
This option was considered but rejected because the two commissions are closely interdependent and would create duplication, additional interfaces and a risk of fragmented advice.
Option 3 - Defer Appointment of Transactional Lawyers Until After a Cabinet Decision
This option was considered but rejected because it would delay legal due diligence and transaction readiness work and reduce the Council's ability to proceed promptly should approval be granted.
Option 4 - Undertake the Work Through Internal Legal Services
This option was considered but rejected having regard to the scale, complexity and specialist nature of the proposed transaction and existing service demands.
Option 5 - Take No Further External Legal Advice
This option was rejected because the proposed acquisition is a significant and complex transaction requiring specialist legal advice.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14/09/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
DWF Law LLP
OC423384
Manchester
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 70 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The High Court of Justice
London
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
22/10/2026