- Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
- Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
- Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
- Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
- Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
- Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 – Commercial and Corporate Services
- Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 – Student Matters
- Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
Scope
Reference
NTU/25/2897/DS
Description
Nottingham Trent University intends to establish an open framework agreement for the Provision of Legal Services. The requirement will be divided into the following Lots: Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate). Lot 1b - Construction. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc). Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service). Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services. Lot 5 - Student Matters. Lot 6 - Patent Management.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £6,666,666.67 excluding VAT
- £8,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 March 2026 to 1 March 2029
- Possible extension to 1 March 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
The Tender is being run in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) and any regulations made under it, including the Procurement Regulations 2024 (Regulations), as amended from time to time. This is an Open Procedure tender, as defined in sections 20(1) and 20(2)(a) of the Act. The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UKF14 - Nottingham
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
Description
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Acquisition, disposal and development; Conveyancing; Leasing and licences; Planning law; Landlord and tenant; Boundaries and ownership issues.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,250,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
Description
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Building contracts; Bonds, warranties, guarantees and insurance; Professional appointments and commercial frameworks; Litigation and disputes; Health and safety relating to construction; Environmental law.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,250,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Description
The University's Human Resource Department wish to appoint a roaster of suppliers to be available to provide advice and guidance on a range of legal HR matters and ongoing support for legal cases. The University expects the appointed Supplier(s) to provide access to suitably qualified lawyers in a range of disciplines at short notice, and to demonstrate the added value they can offer to NTU for example, ongoing staff development, and updates on areas of HR law. The University does not wish to operate a formal retainer service for HR services going forward, but the University is keen to retain supplier(s) that can provide quick general employment related advice, as and when required.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £1,600,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Description
The University's Human Resource department wish to appoint a single Supplier to be available to provide advice and guidance on a range of legal HR matters and ongoing support for legal cases. In exchange for a monthly retainer fee, the University expects the appointed Supplier to provide access to suitably qualified lawyers in a range of disciplines at short notice, and to demonstrate the added value they can offer to NTU for example, ongoing staff development, and updates on areas of HR law.
Lot value (estimated)
- £208,333.33 excluding VAT
- £250,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
Description
To advise and/or represent in matters of litigation, which may include, but is not limited to: Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication and arbitration; Commercial and property related litigation; Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions; Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims; Reputation management, including defamation; Debt collection; Judicial review; Appointment and recommendation of Barristers; and Clinical negligence and complaints.
Lot value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Description
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Research grants and contracts; Collaborative ventures; Intellectual Property matters; Funding and finance models; Loan agreements between organisations; EU procurement law, Public Contract Regulations, tenders and contracts (or successive laws/regulations); Data protection and GDPR compliance; Freedom of Information; Equality and Diversity; Confidentiality agreements (NDAs) and knowledge transfer agreements; Funding agreements; Legacies and donations; Company Law and charity law, including taxation; Constitutional and governing documents; and Competition law, including State Aid. Trademarks General commercial contracts
Lot value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 - Student Matters
Description
Practical legal advice, legal drafting and legal support on student matters, including but not limited to; Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes; Appeals submitted to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) including the drafting of written submissions and liaison with OIA staff Compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and other regulatory bodies in relation to the student contract for tuition (including fee issues)
Lot value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
Description
Practical legal advice, legal drafting and legal support on patent management, including but not limited to; Expertise and advice in relation to filling for patent applications; and Patent renewals (including reminders of patent deadlines)
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,125,000 excluding VAT
- £1,350,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
2 March 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The Tender is being run in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) and any regulations made under it, including the Procurement Regulations 2024 (Regulations), as amended from time to time. This is an Open Procedure tender, as defined in sections 20(1) and 20(2)(a) of the Act. The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. Any subsequent extension to the Framework will be agreed between NTU and the appointed Suppliers. It is likely that NTU will seek the Supplier/s to demonstrate improvements to the services and/or price reductions before considering an extension. For any extension(s) to the Framework, discussions with Supplier(s) to arrive at an agreed position shall be conducted sufficiently far in advance of the expiry date.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
Please see publish tender documents.
Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 - Student Matters
Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
Please see published tender documents.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
Please see publish tender documents.
Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 - Student Matters
Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
Please see published tender documents.
Particular suitability
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 - Student Matters
Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
13 October 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
15 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 December 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 3 March 2034
Award criteria
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate)
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Criteria | Technical Criteria |
Quality | 30% |
| Service Delivery | Service Delivery |
Quality | 30% |
| Commercial Offer Schedule | Commercial Offer Schedule |
Price | 20% |
| Quality Criteria | Quality Criteria |
Quality | 10% |
| Service Innovation | Service Innovation |
Quality | 5% |
| Sustainability | Sustainability |
Quality | 5% |
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 1b - Construction
Lot LOT-0003. Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Lot LOT-0004. Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Lot LOT-0005. Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution
Lot LOT-0006. Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Lot LOT-0007. Lot 5 - Student Matters
Lot LOT-0008. Lot 6 - Patent Management
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical criteria | Technical criteria |
Quality | 30% |
| Service Delivery | Service Delivery |
Quality | 30% |
| Commercial Offer Schedule | Commercial Offer Schedule |
Price | 20% |
| Quality Criteria | Quality Criteria |
Quality | 10% |
| Service Innovation | Service Innovation |
Quality | 5% |
| Sustainability | Sustainability |
Quality | 5% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
The university did not conduct any pre market engagement activities in relation to this tender.
Contracting authority
Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLJN-1931-JMHG
50 Shakespeare Street
Nottingham
NG1 4FQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKF14 - Nottingham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government