Open9 days left · closes 2pm, Thursday 8 October 2026

Framework for Major Project Legal Services

Associated British Ports · Private utility

In brief

Associated British Ports is looking for suppliers for legal work (North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland).

It is a framework worth up to £10,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 5 years, starting 2 November 2026.

Bids close at 2pm, Thursday 8 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Bids by: 2pm, Thursday 8 October 2026

How bids are scored

Technical 70% · Commercial 30%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Usually high: a median of 10 bids per contract for legal contracts in this region (from 21 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £10,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

Conditions

The Contracting Authority confirms that no framework access fees, management fees, or percentage charges will be levied on suppliers in connection with participation in or use of this framework.

Tender documents

Interested suppliers must register on the In‑Tend e‑sourcing portal to express an interest in this opportunity. Access to all…

What the notice says

ABP is establishing a panel of law firms who it may appoint to provide planning and consenting advice, as well as other legal advice and strategy, for complex, large-scale, multi-year projects in respect of its nationally significant infrastructure. The framework will run for 5 years. The framework will be a national framework across ABP’s portfolio of property across the UK. The successful applicants will be required to evidence their ability to deliver the services as set out in the scope. The framework value is estimated at £10,000,000 this is not committal spend or guarantee of services.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 9 days?That is tight, especially for a first bid with this buyer.
Is a contract of about £10,000,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: Framework agreement?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: in-tendhost.co.uk.
Make sure your bid arrives before 2pm, Thursday 8 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

17 September 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 088198-2026

About the buyer

Associated British PortsLast 12 months

Procurements

Awards

All tenders and awards from Associated British Ports

From notice 088198-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 17 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 27 September 2026.