Scope
Reference
C25075
Description
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is inviting tenders for the provision of a Barrister and Solicitors that have Fire Safety Law expertise and experience. This procurement has been broken down into 2 Lots. Lot 1 Barrister Service (Retained Contract) and Lot 2 Solicitor Services. Full details of the service within lot 1 and lot 2 can be found on the Kent Business Portal.
Deadline for submissions is the 2nd March 2026.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Maidstone:-Legal-services./4T7D6DZMP7
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £100,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Main procurement category
Services
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. C25075 - Barrister Service (Retained Contract)
Description
Kent and Medway Fire Authority is seeking to secure the services of a retained Barrister to provide formal and informal legal advice and training on matters appertaining to the interpretation and application of a range of fire safety law, regulatory processes connected with it, and fire investigation.
The contract will have a duration of 3 years with one year's optional extension with the agreement of both parties.
For the avoidance of doubt, this requirement does not include advocacy. However, it does include involvement in the review and preparation of cases for court and as regards Determinations under Article 36 of The Order.
The supplier will be required to provide details of the legal support provided to fire and rescue services in the field of fire safety.
As a regulator with prosecution responsibilities on average, the Service has approximately 40 items for Lot 1 per annum requiring such legal advice, in a range from minor matters to others connected with major cases.
Lot value (estimated)
- £80,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 22 April 2026 to 21 April 2029
- Possible extension to 21 April 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Extend the service is the service is still required and budgets allow.
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
- 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services
- 79111000 - Legal advisory services
- 79112000 - Legal representation services
- 79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
Lot 2. C25075 - Solicitor Service
Description
The Service requires specialist legal advice, and support of a solicitor(s) capable of administering all elements involved in the progression of legal cases pertaining to the enforcement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended ("The Order"), and in relation to the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, and the Services role in enforcing the Order and conducting fire investigations. The Service requires specialist legal advice in relation to fire safety issues, which without prejudice to the generality of the advice required. Full service specification can be found on the Kent Business Portal within the full tender pack.
Lot value (estimated)
- £20,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 22 April 2026 to 21 April 2029
- Possible extension to 21 April 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Service can be extended if the service is still required and budgets allow
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. C25075 - Barrister Service (Retained Contract)
Lot 2. C25075 - Solicitor Service
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 February 2026, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
2 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Questionnaire | Written Response |
Quality | 60% |
| Pricing Schedule | Written Response |
Price | 40% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCTX-8834-ZQLL
The Godlands, Straw Mill Hill, Tovil
Maidstone
ME15 6XB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Alex Whelan
Email: alex.whelan@kent.fire-uk.org
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government