Public procurement notice: Contract Award Notice
Published: 2021-01-29
Buyer: Crown Commercial Service
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 79100000 | 79110000 | 79111000 | 79112000 | 79130000
Estimated value: 115000000 GBP
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has put in place a framework contract for the provision of specialist legal services for International Trade Law, to be utilised by UK Central Government Departments and associated bodies (Buyers) identified at VI.3).
This framework will be the recommended vehicle for all international trade law services required by buyers. Its purpose is to complement existing government legal frameworks and specifically assist with international trade disputes and negotiations.
Appointed suppliers will provide legal services in respect of all the mandatory specialisms detailed in the specification and optional specialisms (if qualified to do so). Suppliers will provide services relating to domestic law of different jurisdictions. The full specification is set out in Framework Schedule 1 (Specification).
Lot 1: covers advice and services in relation to the mitigation and conduct of disputes under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and trade agreement dispute settlement mechanisms, as well as compliance with and enforcement of international law relating to trade, including but not limited to the law of WTO and trade agreements.
Lot 1 is predominantly for the provision of services in the law of the WTO and trade agreement disputes as well as both international and foreign domestic law in respect of the framework’s subject matter.
Suppliers appointed to this lot must provide advice and services in relation to the areas of mandatory specialism detailed in the specification for Lot 1.
At part 1 CCS will invite the top 17 scoring bidders in lot 1 to participate in part 2 of the award stage.
At part 2 CCS will award a place in lot 1 to the top-scoring 13 bidders. CCS reserves the right to award to any bidder within 1 % of the final placed.
Lot 2 covers the provision of legal advice and services in relation to the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements and trading relationships, and compliance with and enforcement of international law relating to trade. This includes the law of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and trade agreements.
Suppliers appointed to this lot must provide advice and services in relation to the areas of mandatory specialism detailed in the specification for Lot 2.
Suppliers will also be required to provide subcontracting arrangements rapidly and advise on, or provide ready access to, the whole range of chapters within a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The value provided in Section II.1.7) is only an estimate. We cannot guarantee to suppliers any business through this commercial agreement.
As part of this contract award notice the following can be accessed at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4384251b-a4d0-4baf-8800-5ce61ea53d75
On 2 April 2014 Government introduced its Government Security Classifications (GSC) scheme which replaced Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS). A key aspect is the reduction in the number of security classifications used. All bidders were required to make themselves aware of the changes as it may impact this requirement. This link provides information on the GSC at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications
Cyber Essentials is a mandatory requirement for Central Government contracts which involve handling personal information or provide certain ICT products/services. Government is taking steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in its supply chain through the Cyber Essentials scheme. The scheme defines a set of controls which, when implemented, will provide organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet. To participate in this procurement, bidders were required to demonstrate they comply with the technical requirements prescribed by Cyber Essentials, for services under and in connection with this procurement.


Winner: Ashurst LLP
Award value: 115000000
Number of bids: 26