Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
General Medical Council (GMC)
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW
Contact
Christine Jack
Telephone
+44 1619236340
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA19541
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Medical Regulator
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
External Legal Services (Solicitors - England & Wales)
Reference number
GMC1693
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79100000 - Legal services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The GMC has a substantial and well established in-house legal team. The in-house legal team carries out the majority of the legal work for the GMC in relation to the exercise of its core statutory functions. It is now the sole provider of legal services in respect of the investigation of cases in relation to individual medical practitioners, as well as the conduct on behalf of the GMC of resultant cases before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) and litigation before the courts of England and Wales.
As a consequence the GMC does not anticipate that it will require much (if any) assistance from its external legal services supplier in relation to the day to day delivery of its core statutory functions. It is anticipated that the vast majority of instructions will relate to legal issues associated with any large commercial organisation and / or public sector body as reflected in the statement of requirement.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79100000 - Legal services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The GMC has a substantial and well established in-house legal team. The in-house legal team carries out the majority of the legal work for the GMC in relation to the exercise of its core statutory functions. It is now the sole provider of legal services in respect of the investigation of cases in relation to individual medical practitioners, as well as the conduct on behalf of the GMC of resultant cases before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) and litigation before the courts of England and Wales.
As a consequence the GMC does not anticipate that it will require much (if any) assistance from its external legal services supplier in relation to the day to day delivery of its core statutory functions. It is anticipated that the vast majority of instructions will relate to legal issues associated with any large commercial organisation and / or public sector body as reflected in the statement of requirement.
That said, to provide flexibility, including where independent advice and scrutiny may be required it would be advantageous (not essential) if the legal services supplier were in a position to provide legal advice and support in relation to the GMC’s fitness to practise work. To that end, the Statement of Requirements does contain reference to the ability to deliver legal advice in relation to fitness to practise work and litigation.
For the avoidance of doubt this tender does not include the provision of advocacy services in relation to proceedings before the MPTS / Higher Courts or the provision of legal services outside England and Wales. The GMC will continue to instruct barristers in England and Wales directly. Further, the GMC has a separate contract for the provision of Employment Law Advice and that is excluded from this tender.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Option to extend for one (1) year.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
8 March 2023
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
8 March 2023
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the myTenders Web Site at https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=228646.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.mytenders.co.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(MT Ref:228646)
Download the ESPD document here: [[https://www.mytenders.co.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=228646]]
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Service
Cabinet Office
London
publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3450103503
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit