Legal Services

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "org-73",
    "name": "APUC Limited"
  },
  "date": "2025-09-17T00:00:00Z",
  "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.\r\n Suppliers should confirm they will be in a position to complete (at point of award) the following:\r\n Appendix A Form of Tender\r\n Appendix B Freedom of Information\r\n Appendix D APUC Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct\r\n 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\r\n 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:\r\n Sub-Contracting is not a significant part of the overall anticipated contract spend.\r\n Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/\r\n A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:\r\n 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).\r\n (SC Ref:804364)",
  "id": "rls-47-SEP539396",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "EN",
  "links": [
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  "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000789019",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "locality": "Stirling",
        "postalCode": "FK8 2DZ",
        "region": "UKM",
        "streetAddress": "Unit 27, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "gkerr@apuc-scot.ac.uk",
        "name": "Graeme Kerr",
        "telephone": "+44 1314428930",
        "url": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "Body governed by public law",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
          },
          {
            "description": "Education",
            "id": "09",
            "scheme": "COFOG"
          }
        ],
        "url": "http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk"
      },
      "id": "org-73",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "APUC Limited"
      },
      "name": "APUC Limited",
      "roles": [
        "buyer",
        "centralPurchasingBody"
      ]
    },
    {
      "address": {
        "locality": "Edinburgh",
        "postalCode": "EH1 1LB",
        "streetAddress": "27 Chambers Street"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "url": "http://"
      },
      "id": "org-6",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Sheriff Court House"
      },
      "name": "Sheriff Court House",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "relatedProcesses": [
    {
      "id": "1",
      "identifier": "2025/S 000-002964",
      "relationship": [
        "planning"
      ],
      "scheme": "EU-OJ"
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
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  "tender": {
    "awardPeriod": {
      "startDate": "2025-10-21T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "bidOpening": {
      "date": "2025-10-21T15:00:00Z"
    },
    "classification": {
      "id": "79100000",
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    "contractTerms": {
      "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
      "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
      "hasElectronicPayment": true,
      "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."
    },
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA"
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    "description": "APUC are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of specialist Legal Services for the further and higher education sector in Scotland.\r\n APUC are looking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all institutions regardless of size and demand.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "APUC are seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of specialist Legal Services for the further and higher education sector in Scotland.\r\n APUC are looking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all institutions regardless of size and demand.",
        "documentType": "contractNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "SEP539396",
        "title": "Legal Services",
        "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539396"
      }
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    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "id": "PFB1047 AP",
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    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "lotDetails": {
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    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
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            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "8",
        "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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        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
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        "title": "One-Stop-Shop"
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              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in Property \u0026 Estates specialism including but not limited to the following:\r\n - Conveyancing\r\n - Landlord and tenant law\r\n - General estate management issues\r\n - Planning law\r\n - Major building projects\r\n - Student accommodation\r\n - Construction and Engineering\r\n - Environmental law\r\n - CONTEST\r\n - Martyn\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "2",
        "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."
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Property \u0026 Estates"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in People / HR Matters specialism including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Employment relations\r\n - Employment contracts and policies\r\n - UK Visas \u0026 Immigration matters\r\n - Equality and diversity\r\n - Organisational change\r\n - Health and safety\r\n - TUPE\r\n - Pension law and advice\r\n - Student support and regulatory matters\r\n - Data protection\r\n - Freedom of Information\r\n - Fair Working Practices\r\n - 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "3",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "People / HR Matters"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
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              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in Charity specialism including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Charity law\r\n - Fundraising and sponsorship\r\n - Constitutional and parliamentary issues (including bulls, charters and statutes)\r\n - 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "4",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Charity"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in International specialism including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Public International Law\r\n - Law of the Sea\r\n - International Criminal Law\r\n - International ventures\r\n - International Humanitarian Law\r\n - International Human Rights Law\r\n - Refugee Law\r\n - Private International Law\r\n - 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "5",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "International"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of dispute resolution legal services including student matters including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration\r\n - Commercial and property related litigation and dispute resolution\r\n - Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions\r\n - Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims\r\n - Reputation management, including defamation\r\n - Judicial review\r\n - Briefing and recommendation of Counsel\r\n - Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, failure to educate, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes\r\n - Data protection in a staff and student matters context\r\n - Representation on behalf of the University at appeal / complaint / disciplinary hearings as required\r\n - Student contract issues including the procedures for the making of offers and for enrolment\r\n - 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)\r\n - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)\r\n - 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.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "6",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Dispute Resolution (Including Student Matters)"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
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              "description": "60%",
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in Education and Research specialism including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Academic research (including grants) \u0026 research originated knowledge transfer.\r\n - 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "7",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Education Law and Research"
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
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              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "40%",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "durationInDays": 1080
        },
        "description": "Provision of legal services in Commercial-Business specialism including, but not limited to, the following:\r\n - Procurement \u0026 other contract law\r\n - Commercial corporate governance\r\n - Joint ventures\r\n - Banking, finance, insurance and taxation\r\n - Company formation\r\n - Corporate finance\r\n - Bond Issuance, mergers and acquisitions\r\n - Competition law\r\n - Freedom of Information\r\n - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)\r\n - Intellectual Property\r\n - Technology Law including Software Licensing Agreements\r\n - Software Licensing Agreements\r\n - Debt collection\r\n - 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",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "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"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "submissionTerms": {
          "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "title": "Commercial-Business"
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "otherRequirements": {
      "requiresStaffNamesAndQualifications": true
    },
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
    "recurrence": {
      "description": "August 2029"
    },
    "selectionCriteria": {
      "criteria": [
        {
          "description": "Providers must be accredited by the professional body relevant to the delivery of these services (Law Society of Scotland).",
          "type": "suitability"
        },
        {
          "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:\r\n Professional Risk Indemnity: 3,000,000.00 GBP\r\n Employer\u0027s (Compulsory) Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP\r\n Public Liability: 5,000,000.00 GBP\r\n 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\u0027s letter demonstrating their willingness to the support the Contractor\u0027s organisation over the term of the framework agreement.\r\n Please refer to 4B.6 of the SPD",
          "type": "economic"
        },
        {
          "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:\r\n a) their standard payment terms\r\n b) \u00e2\u0089\u00a595% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year.\r\n If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance.",
          "type": "technical"
        },
        {
          "description": "Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession",
          "type": "technical"
        }
      ]
    },
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethod": [
      "electronicSubmission"
    ],
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "bidValidityPeriod": {
        "durationInDays": 180
      },
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "maximumParticipants": 48.0
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-10-21T14:00:00Z"
    },
    "title": "Legal Services",
    "value": {
      "amount": 12000000.0,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}