Scope
Reference
P0552
Description
The purpose of this procurement exercise is to establish a two member Framework, covering the whole of Northern Ireland, to meet all of the requirements of the Housing Executive for external solicitors in connection with construction, works and services related commercial contracts (“the Services” as defined and particularised in the Specification of Requirements).
Since this will be a Framework, the Housing Executive will not be obliged to procure its legal services exclusively from it and will be free to either use its own in-house legal service provision, or to procure legal services outside this Framework.
This competition is for services which are categorised as Light Touch Services as defined in Regulation 42 and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024 (PR 2024).
Please note, the estimated spend on solicitor professional fees, over the four year Framework Period, is £970,000.00 (£242,500.00 per annum) and £480,000.00 on non-solicitor professional fees (Counsel fees, disbursements, outlays etc.) ((£120,000.00 per annum)). These figures are being provided for information purposes only and the Housing Executive will not be held/bound by them.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £970,000 excluding VAT
- £1,164,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 May 2026 to 4 May 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
- 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services
Contract locations
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
2
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The Housing Executive will award up to two places onto this Framework, ranked as per the outcome of the tendering process, i.e. Contractors will be ranked in places 1-2. The award of Retainers will be done in rotation with the Contractor in first place being offered the first requirement for Services that will be issued via the Framework. The next Retainer will be offered to the Contractor in second place on the Framework. This procedure of rotation will be carried out throughout the duration of the Framework. However, this procedure may change at the absolute discretion of the Housing Executive.
Please see the document entitled 'P0552 - Framework Management Document' which
has been published with the Tender Documentation for full details on the operation of the Framework.
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please see the Tender Documentation for details, namely the document entitled 'P0552 -
Conditions of Participation Questionnaire'.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
26 February 2026, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 March 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may only be submitted via the https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do portal
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
8 April 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 8 February 2030
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Award Criteria - Quality | Please see the document entitled 'P0552 - Invitation to Tender (ITT)' and the folder entitled 'P0552 - Quality Questionnaire' for full details. There are four quality questions contained within the... |
Quality | 50% |
| Award Criteria - Cost | Please see the document entitled 'P0552 - Invitation to Tender (ITT) for full details. |
Cost | 50% |
Other information
Payment terms
Please see the documents entitled 'P0552 - Public Sector Standard Conditions of Contract' and 'P0552 - Commercial Conditions of Contract' for details.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Contracting authority
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTYV-8666-PQQY
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8PB
United Kingdom
Contact name: James McErlean
Email: james.mcerlean@nihe.gov.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland