Direct Award Process
You can make a Direct Award from All Lots of the Legal Services Framework. The steps to follow are outlined below.
1. Identifying your Provider
The scope of services offered under this Framework are spilt in to the below service areas:
- (PART A) Investment work
- (PART B) Benefit Administration, employer Bodies and Governance Work
- (PART C) General Work
As part of their tender submission, Providers were asked to confirm the areas they are able to provide within the scope of each Lot. Before proceeding with your procurement we recommend reviewing the Specification of Requirement and Services Offered to clearly understand the technical and professional abilities offered by each Provider under each Lot and service area.
You should also use the Pricing Schedules and Provider Catalogues to help you identify the most suitable Provider for your specific requirements.
Your selection may be based on:
- Organisational requirements
- Level of expertise offered
- Quality of service
- Value for money
- Availability
Once you have identified the most suitable Provider, invite them to deliver the service using the Call-Off criteria within your required timescale. If the selected Provider is unable to deliver the service, you should invite the next most suitable Provider.
2. Pricing Schedules
As part of their application to join the National LGPS Framework for Legal Services, each Provider submitted a list of ceiling prices. These can be found in the Pricing Schedules.
The ceiling prices are the maximum prices that each Provider can charge and are fixed so that there are no hidden charges, and prices are comparable and transparent. As part of your Direct Award you should ask the Provider to quote based on your specific requirements.
3. Contract Award
All orders placed under the Framework must use the Pro Forma Letter of Appointment and Call-off Terms and Conditions. Together, these documents form the contract between your organisation and the successful Provider.
The successful Provider should:
- Acknowledge receipt of the Contract Award.
- Sign and return the Pro Forma Letter of Appointment - you will also need to sign the Pro Forma Letter of Appointment in line with your organisation's internal requirements.
4. Publishing Your Contract Award on Contracts Finder
If the contract value is over £30,000, you’re required to publish a Contract Award Notice for any contracts awarded through the National LGPS Frameworks.
- The notice must be published within 90 days of the contract being signed by the final party.
- You can do this via Contracts Finder - it's free to use and is accessible here: www.gov.uk/contracts-finder. Your procurement team should be able to assist you with this.