SPECIALIST FIRE SAFETY LEGAL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority ("the Authority") is conducting this procurement using the formal tender akin to the Open Procedure of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for the purpose of procuring the Services described in the Specification set out at Appendix 2 ("the specification"). The framework agreement is for 2 years from April 2020 with an option to extend for a further 2 years.

The provision is for a legal service to provide solicitors and barristers who are experienced in regulatory law, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and have a successful track record at both magistrates and crown Court with fire safety cases. This multi-supplier Framework Agreement is for the services of a number of different teams of solicitors and barristers on hand to progress our investigations to magistrates and crown court The contract will be divided into the following Lots: Legal Services Barrister Services Both Lots will be awarded to a maximum of two Service Providers.

Contracts/cases will be awarded on a rotation basis to the Solicitors and/or Barristers on the Framework Agreement along with the current Legal Service provider, Sandwell Legal Services. The Authority reserves the right to award a case to any provider on the framework or SLA where a specialism is needed that one provider can offer.

Bidders need to self-certify they have or will obtain: £5m Public Liability, Employers and Professional Indemnity insurance. Bidders must also have sufficient level of experience namely more than 15 Fire Safety prosecutions and a success rate of 90% or more.