Scope
Reference
TVCA-PROC-0584
Description
Tees Valley Combined Authority wishes to establish an Open Framework for group-wide legal services framework to provide specialist legal support in a range of disciplines which will be divided into Lots:
Lot 1 - Corporate, Contracts and Commercial Law
Lot 2 - Property, Planning and Construction
Lot 3 - Utilities
Lot 4 - Regulatory, Employment and Litigation
Prospective providers for respective Lots will be required to demonstrate previous experience in their field and within specific sectors. It is recognised that there may be some cross-over between Lots, and some commissions may span more than one Lot. It is anticipated that the total value of all the Lots over the next 4 years will be between seven and ten million (subject to the needs and resources of external funders).
This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks.
- Framework one (1) is for a term of 24 months.
- Framework two (2) will be for a term of 12 months with an option to extend up to a maximum of 12 months.
- Framework three (3) which is the final framework will last 12 months, depending on whether we exercised the option to extend framework two (2).
The open framework will last 4 years in total.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-Darlington:-Legal-services./Y2H4NR3P89
To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/Y2H4NR3P89
If you experience any technical difficulties from accessing the above url, then please contact the Delta eSourcing Helpdesk on call 0800 923 9236 or email helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Darlington:-Legal-services./Y2H4NR3P89
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £10,000,000 excluding VAT
- £12,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 March 2026 to 1 March 2028
- Possible extension to 1 March 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks.
Framework one (1) is for a term of 24 months.
Framework two (2) will be for a term of 12 months with an option to extend up to a maximum of 12 months.
Framework three (3) which is the final framework will last 12 months, depending on whether we exercised the option to extend framework two (2).
The open framework will last 4 years in total.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UKC1 - Tees Valley and Durham
Lot 1. Corporate, Contracts and Commercial Law
Description
The areas of law or types of activities which might typically arise (but not limited to) under this Lot are as follows:
- Service Level Agreements
- Contracts with other public sector bodies
- Contracts with private sector bodies (in relation to part B suppliers we anticipate this may require specialist advice to include but not be limited to aviation, rail, highways and bus contracts)
- Public procurement Law
- Competition Law (excluding telecoms & IT sectors)
- Charitable Trusts
- Intellectual Property including Trademark and Patent registration)
- Commercial Disputes and Litigation
- Confidentiality
- Property aspects of commercial transactions and joint ventures
- Franchising
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Borrowing and investing
- Project Finance
- Establishing corporate vehicles
- Drafting and contributing to project documentation
- Project planning
- Drafting, negotiating and agreeing legal documentation
- Banking and Finance
- Advice and documentation on property issues
- General legal advice and assistance
- Advice and documentation on HR issues
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 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 2. Property, Planning and Construction
Description
The areas of law or types of activities which might typically arise (but not limited to) under this Lot are as follows:
- Acquisitions and disposal of property
- Landlord & Tenant related matters
- Leases and licences to use land
- Rent Reimbursement Provisions and Directions
- Reports on Title
- Site developments
- Property aspects of commercial transactions and joint ventures
- Town and Country Planning Advice/ Planning Rules knowledge, including compulsory purchase and development consent orders (DCO's)
- Environmental law advice
- Estate code and general estate management advice
- Property and construction disputes
- Building contract advice
- Restrictive covenants/ boundary issues
- Capital Charges, insurance and compliance with relevant protocols by government and public bodies
- Road Closures
- Enabling Works Contracts
- Construction Contracts (including standard form)
- Construction (including defects liability, collateral warranties, bank and surety bonds, professional appointments and procurement)
- Health & Safety (specifically relevant to the construction industry)
- Infrastructure Projects
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 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 3. Utilities
Description
The areas of law or types of activities which might typically arise (but not limited to) under this Lot are as follows:
- Energy (Gas and Electricity)
- Green Energy
- Water
- Waste
- Telecoms
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 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 4. Regulatory, Employment and Litigation
Description
The areas of law or types of activities which might typically arise (but not limited to) under this Lot are as follows:
Regulatory
- Intellectual Property (including Trademark and Patent registration)
- Confidentiality Agreements
- Property aspects of commercial transactions and joint ventures
- Public Procurement (under the PCRs/PA 23 and utilities Regulations) and Public Concessions
- Subsidy Control (and State Aid)
- FoI, EIR, and Data Protection including advice on the management of Subject access requests, information request
- Data protection including privacy and other associated policies.
- Confidentiality
- IT Contracts, e-commerce and Licences
- Software Licences
- IT/ Telecoms procurement
- Competition Law
Employment
- Employment Law Advice
- Employment Tribunals
- HR Policies
- Pensions
- Employment Agencies and bank staff
- Organisational Change
- Disciplinary and Appeal - All staff
- Discrimination
- Employee Payments
- Employment Relationship Advice
- Organisational Change/ Change Management
- Outsourcing/ Contracting out
- Immigration Issues
- Other Legislation and case law
- TUPE
Litigation
- Civil and Commercial Litigation
- Employment Tribunal Claims
- Health & Safety
- HSE Investigations and prosecutions
- Public Liability Claims
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 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)
1 March 2030
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Further information about fees
Not appliable
Framework operation description
Refer to 'TVCA-PROC-0584 - Part 1 - ITT - Framework Agreement and Instructions' document for details on the award of contracts under this framework.
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 1. Corporate, Contracts and Commercial Law
Lot 2. Property, Planning and Construction
Lot 3. Utilities
Lot 4. Regulatory, Employment and Litigation
The conditions of participation relating to the legal and financial capacity are set out in the ITT, in the procurement specific questionnaire. The conditions of participation will be assessed in accordance with the assessment methodologies detailed in the procurement specific questionnaire and 'TVCA-PROC-0584 - Part 1 - ITT - Framework Agreement and Instructions' document.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Corporate, Contracts and Commercial Law
Lot 2. Property, Planning and Construction
Lot 3. Utilities
Lot 4. Regulatory, Employment and Litigation
The conditions of participation relating to technical capability are set out in the ITT, in the procurement specific questionnaire. The conditions of participation will be assessed in accordance with the assessment methodologies detailed in the procurement specific questionnaire and 'TVCA-PROC-0584 - Part 1 - ITT - Framework Agreement and Instructions' document.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Corporate, Contracts and Commercial Law
Lot 2. Property, Planning and Construction
Lot 3. Utilities
Lot 4. Regulatory, Employment and Litigation
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 January 2026, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
16 January 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
6 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Price |
Price | 50% |
| Quality | Quality |
Quality | 30% |
| Social Value | Social Value |
Quality | 20% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Tees Valley Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNG-8971-ZVCR
Teesside Airport Business Suite, Teesside international Airport
Darlington
DL2 1NJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKC13 - Darlington
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government