Legal Services Framework Agreement

Please note all documentation is available as an attachment on the whg PQQ Public Contract Regulations 2015 evaluation questionnaire.Background.Due to significant changes in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 it was determined that The Partners (whg and Midland Heart) would go to market with a joint procurement exercise forming a framework agreement for Legal Services (?The Framework Agreement?).

This is a direct result following a number of discussions between several organisations that form part of the Midlands Value for Money group, comprising a number of housing providers.The aim of this joint tender is not only to ensure value for money is gained for The Partners via the framework, but also that any profits that are generated from other users of the framework are channelled into social value for The Partners respective local communities.Objectives.The purpose of this legal services tender process is to select a panel (the Panel) of preferred Bidders for legal services who together with the Partners? inhouse legal teams can provide all the legal services needs of the Partners and their legal entities/subsidiaries.

The Framework Agreement will be for an initial two year period with the option to extend annually for 2 further years.

The Framework Agreement arising from this tender process may also be made available to and used by other housing associations and local authorities which as public bodies identified in Schedule 1 Specification.The Partners intend to establish strong relationships with Panel firms built on a culture of proximity working, constructive challenge and continuous improvement.

By doing this the Partners expect to optimise the process by which they procure legal services thus reducing costs while improving service quality.

The Partners expect the Panel to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of ? and commitment to ? the social housing sector.The Partners are seeking legal advisers for the full range of legal services described in the Lots below.

Bidders will need to be able to deal with our day to day legal services and advice needs, work with our in-house legal teams and support our growth plans through commercially astute advice and by helping us to make the necessary connections to succeed in our chosen markets.Bidders will need to bring a commercial, proactive and innovative approach combined with a wide range of skills.

The Partners do not expect the Panel to simply provide technically accurate legal advice but also to understand the Partners? businesses including their growth strategies and the market within which they operate.

This will enable the Panel to provide commercially valuable advice which is in line with the Partners? risk appetites and growth strategies.