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Published 18 Apr 2025, 15:59 BST

Official UK procurement notice

T115 - Legal Services · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: NORTHERN IRELAND WATER LIMITED (Central government)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

3 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdUtilitiesSME suitableMax 1 lot to bidMax 1 lot per supplier
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Published estimate£3,600,000envelope for 3 lots · £3,600,000 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submissions closed 17 Sept 2025awarded 5 Feb 2026
Awarded to TLT LLP +2 more3 awards
Contract term 2 yrsends 29 Feb 2028 · up to 28 Feb 2034 with extensions · starts 1 Mar 2026

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Provision of Legal Services to Northern Ireland Water

Lot 1 - The provision of strategic advice on frequently highly complex issues across: Regulation & Compliance, Procurement, PPP, Pensions, Environmental and Health & Safety, Corporate & Commercial, Employment and Litigation.

Lot 2 - The provision of advice across Litigation, Employment, Corporate & Commercial, Environmental and Health & Safety, Property & Planning and Procurement, Regulation & Compliance, Pensions and PPP.

Lot 3 - The provision of advice in relation to Public Liability Claims (inc Environmental), Employer's Liability Claims, Debt Recovery, Uninsured Loss Recovery, Defence & Prosecution of Criminal Offences, Health & Safety and Lands Tribunal.

The Contract Value range for all 3 lots is £8m - £14m over 2+2+2+2 years

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Mar 2034, 23:59 GMT.
  • How the procedure runs: The Competitive Flexible Procedure is described in the CfT documents which are available on eTenders NI.

CPV: Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security · Legal advisory and information services · Legal advisory and representation services · Legal services

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · all with a published value (£3,600,000 together) · a supplier may bid for at most 1 and win at most 1 of them · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1The provision of strategic advice on frequently highly complex issuesAwardedRenewal 2 yrsPublished value£1,566,000

The provision of strategic advice on frequently highly complex issues across Regulation & Compliance, Procurement, PPP, Pensions, Environmental and Health & Safety, Corporate & Commercial, Employment and Litigation.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2026 – 29 Feb 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2034 with extensionsValue: £1,566,000 exc. VAT · £1,566,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: The right to additional purchases that are within scope of the contract and to cater for innovations or developments in the requirement while the contract is valid. · An extension of 24 months, up to 3 times
79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security79100000 Legal services79110000 Legal advisory and representation services79140000 Legal advisory and information services
Lot #2The provision of advice across:AwardedRenewal 2 yrsPublished value£994,800

The provision of advice across Procurement, Environmental and Health & Safety, Corporate & Commercial, Employment, Litigation, Property & Planning, Regulation & Compliance, Pensions and PPP.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2026 – 29 Feb 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2034 with extensionsValue: £994,800 exc. VAT · £994,800 inc. VAT
Extensions: The right to additional purchases that are within scope of the contract and to cater for innovations or developments in the requirement while the contract is valid. · An extension of 24 months, up to 3 times
79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security79100000 Legal services79110000 Legal advisory and representation services79140000 Legal advisory and information services
Lot #3The provision of advice in relation to:AwardedRenewal 2 yrsPublished value£1,039,200

The provision of advice in relation to Public Liability Claims, Employer’s Liability Claims, Environmental Liability Claims, Debt Recovery, Uninsured Loss Recovery, Defence & Prosecution of Criminal Offences, Environmental and Health & Safety and Lands Tribunal.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2026 – 29 Feb 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2034 with extensionsValue: £1,039,200 exc. VAT · £1,039,200 inc. VAT
Extensions: The right to additional purchases that are within scope of the contract and to cater for innovations or developments in the requirement while the contract is valid. · An extension of 24 months, up to 3 times
79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security79100000 Legal services79110000 Legal advisory and representation services79140000 Legal advisory and information services

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 40%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • Quality: 60%
  • Cost: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality
  • Cost
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Utilities
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Mar 2034
First published
18 Apr 2025, 15:59 BST
Last source update
17 Feb 2026, 16:00 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 1 Mar 2026
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-050159
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and securityLegal advisory and information servicesLegal advisory and representation servicesLegal services
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-050546 Find a Tender
How it runs

The Competitive Flexible Procedure is described in the CfT documents which are available on eTenders NI.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: eTendersNI · Who buys & how to bid on eTendersNI
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Northern Ireland registration
Requests to participate (first stage)
17 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
Submission deadline
17 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
Clarification deadline
15 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

etendersni.gov.uk ↗

Timeline

18 Apr 2025 → 1 Mar 2026 · 11 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    18 Apr 2025, 15:59 BST
  2. Market engagement
    13 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST

    1 - Request for information (RFI) submission. RFI can be found on eTendersNI under T115 - Legal Services.

    2 - Followed up with a supplier information session in June 2025.

    3 - Potential for individual supplier engagement meetings following steps 1 and 2 above.

  3. Next notice expected
    4 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
  4. Tender notice published
    20 Aug 2025, 12:54 BST
  5. Clarification questions by396 days ago
    15 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  6. Submission deadline394 days ago
    17 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  7. Assessment summaries sent254 days ago
    5 Feb 2026
  8. Standstill ends242 days ago
    16 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
  9. Latest notice published242 days ago
    17 Feb 2026, 16:00 GMT
  10. Contract starts230 days ago
    1 Mar 2026
  11. Award decision expected by229 days ago
    1 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT

Notice history

10 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Apr 2025
  1. Planned procurement notice published
    18 Apr 2025, 15:59 BST
    UK3
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    30 May 2025, 09:26 BST
    UK2
  3. Tender notice published
    20 Aug 2025, 12:54 BST
    UK4
  4. Published value updated
    20 Aug 2025, 12:54 BST
  5. Status changed to active
    20 Aug 2025, 12:54 BST
  6. Contract award notice published
    5 Feb 2026, 15:11 GMT
    UK6
  7. Status changed to complete
    5 Feb 2026, 15:11 GMT
  8. Buyer details updated
    5 Feb 2026, 15:11 GMT
  9. Contract details notice published
    17 Feb 2026, 16:00 GMT
    UK7
  10. Contract signature expected
    17 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2025-05: 1 release · 30 May 2025
  • 2025-04: 1 release · 18 Apr 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 3
Awarded value £14,000,0003 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 52 from SMEs
Named bidders 2published on the award notice
Contracts signed 3latest 17 Feb 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · The provision of strategic advice on frequently highly complex issues1 award
TLT LLPT115 - Legal Services Lot 11 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034Extensions: Extension periods are 2+2+2. Extension periods are optional. · Options: The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £5,500,000. The anticipated range is from £4,000,000 to £7,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.£7,000,0005 Feb 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · The provision of advice across:1 award
Arthur Cox Northern IrelandSMET115 -Legal Services Lot 21 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034Extensions: Extension periods are 2+2+2 Extension Periods are optional. · Options: The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £3,250,000. The anticipated range is from £2,500,000 to £4,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.£4,000,0003 Feb 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · The provision of advice in relation to:1 award
DAC BEACHCROFT (N.IRELAND) LLPSMET115 - Legal Services Lot 31 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034Extensions: Extension periods are 2+2+2 Extension periods are optional. · Options: The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £2,250,000. The anticipated range is from £1,000,000 to £3,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.£3,000,0003 Feb 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • T115 - Legal Services Lot 1 · TLT LLP

    Signed
    17 Feb 2026
    Value
    £7,000,000
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional extensions of 2+2+2 years.
    Options
    The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £5,500,000. The anticipated range is from £4,000,000 to £7,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.
    4 agreed KPIs: SLA 1 - Time · SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality · SLA 3 - Value Added …
    • SLA 1 - Time, Turnaround time for Work Instruction Forms; reported delays in delivery of advice/service.
    • SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality, Internal client survey feedback questionnaire will be used to assess both client satisfaction and the quality of service provided.
    • SLA 3 - Value Added, The number of added value extras given or offered by the Contractor in a 12-month period.
    • SLA 4 - Social Value, As per submitted Social Value Delivery Plan.

  • T115 - Legal Services Lot 2 · Arthur Cox Northern IrelandSME

    Signed
    17 Feb 2026
    Value
    £4,000,000
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional Extensions of 2+2+2 years.
    Options
    The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £3,250,000. The anticipated range is from £2,500,000 to £4,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.
    4 agreed KPIs: SLA 1 - Time · SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality · SLA 3 - Value Added …
    • SLA 1 - Time, Turnaround time for Work Instruction Forms; reported delays in delivery of advice/service.
    • SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality, Internal client survey feedback questionnaire will be used to assess both client satisfaction and the quality of service provided.
    • SLA 3 - Value Added, The number of added value extras given or offered by the Contractor in a 12-month period.
    • SLA 4 - Social Value, As per submitted Social Value Delivery Plan.

  • T115 - Legal Services Lot 3 · DAC BEACHCROFT (N.IRELAND) LLPSME

    Signed
    17 Feb 2026
    Value
    £3,000,000
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2034 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Optional Extensions of 2+2+2 years
    Options
    The Client reserves the right to procure any other services associated with Legal services within the scope of the Contract. These include, but are not limited to: - Knowledge Sharing - Training - Secondment Services - Consultations The anticipated contract value is £2,250,000. The anticipated range is from £1,000,000 to £3,000,000 (exc VAT), this takes into account such changes to demand and scale which may result from future requirements.
    4 agreed KPIs: SLA 1 - Time · SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality · SLA 3 - Value Added …
    • SLA 1 - Time, Turnaround time for Work Instruction Forms; reported delays in delivery of advice/service.
    • SLA 2 - Client satisfaction and service quality, Internal client survey feedback questionnaire will be used to assess both client satisfaction and the quality of service provided.
    • SLA 3 - Value Added, The number of added value extras given or offered by the Contractor in a 12-month period.
    • SLA 4 - Social Value, As per submitted Social Value Delivery Plan.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · The provision of strategic advice on frequently highly complex issues2final-stage tenders00—
2 · The provision of advice across:2final-stage tenders20—
3 · The provision of advice in relation to:1final-stage tenders00—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

NORTHERN IRELAND WATER LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-COH: NI054463 · GB-PPON: PCZH-7295-JJTZ Westland House, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT14 6TEContact email

Consortium members and other public bodies

  • Northern Ireland WaterContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations applyGB-PPON: PCZH-7295-JJTZ Belfast, Northern IrelandContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

4 commercial parties on the notice · 3 awarded
  • Arthur CoxAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PQJM-8233-ZHYV Victoria House, Gloucester Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4LSContact email
  • CMS CAMERON MCKENNA NABARRO OLSWANG LLPBidder / tendererGB-COH: OC310335GB-PPON: PCVD-3453-HGXV Cannon Place, London, London, EC4N 6AF
  • DAC BEACHCROFT (N.IRELAND) LLPAwarded supplierGB-COH: NC001542GB-PPON: PQRM-8457-NMHQ 7th Floor Montgomery House, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4NXContact email
  • TLT LLPAwarded supplierGB-COH: OC308658GB-PPON: PHZR-1968-PDCV One Redcliff Street, Bristol, South West, BS1 6TPContact email

Official documents & specifications (9)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure