Scope
Reference
SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25
Description
Direct Award for Expert witness services.
Maximum value for the contract is £650,000+VAT. The charges in the contract are based on day rates, so the actual spend will depend on how much work the SFO gives to the supplier.
Due to an oversight the publication for this notification has been delayed. The contract was awarded on 22nd October 2025.
Contract 1. SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25
Supplier
Contract value
- £650,000 excluding VAT
- £780,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
6 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 6 February 2026 to 31 March 2026
- 1 month, 23 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UKI - London
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
SFO assessed CCS frameworks for relevant expertise but were unable to find any. In the context of urgency SFO undertook an off-framework assessment of the available persons with relevant expertise, addressing the question of conflicts, availability, and cost. SFO subsequently awarded a contact to the expert who offered best value for money.
Supplier
Accounting Valuation Experts LLP
- Companies House: OC444080
71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H 9JQ
United Kingdom
Email: debbie@aveforensic.com
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. SFO/GenCoun/AVE1/25
Contracting authority
Serious Fraud Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZLQ-7427-JMLZ
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5BS
United Kingdom
Email: commercial@sfo.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government