A Multi-Provider, Multi Lot Framework Agreement for the Provision of Legal Services primarily in Support of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Norfolk County Council, on its own behalf and on behalf of the City of Wolverhampton and City of Edinburgh Councils, Brunel Pensions Partnership, the Environment Agency and Local Pensions Partnership wish to let a multi-provider, multi-Lot Framework Agreement for the provision of Legal Services. This Framework Agreement is for the provision of legal services to Administering Authorities of Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS) and Employer Bodies within the respective funds on all aspects of the law and regulations applicable to them including specialist advisers in pensions and investment law. This procurement has been split into 7 Lots.

The scope of Lot 1 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of England and Wales relevant to LGPS asset pools funds, LGPS Administering Authorities and their participating scheme employers across the UK (in respect of their participation in the LGPS) and the operators of LGPS investment pools.

The scope of Lot 2 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of Scotland relevant to LGPS funds, Administering Authorities, scheme employers (in respect of and their participating in the LGPS) and LGPS investment pools/collaborative arrangements.

The scope of Lot 3 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of Northern Ireland relevant to LGPS funds, administering authorities (in respect of their participating participation and LGPS investment pools/collaborative arrangements).

The scope of Lot 4 is focused on legal advice relating to different aspects of pension fund investment and investment management or /administration (including as part of a pooled fund structure).

The scope of Lot 5 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of England and Wales relating to pensions administration, management, governance and employer management and the admission, participation and exit of scheme employers.

The scope of Lot 6 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of Scotland relating to pension administration, management, governance and the admission, participation and exit of scheme employers.

The scope of Lot 7 covers legal advice on all aspects of the laws and regulations of Northern Ireland in relation relating to pension administration, management, governance and the admission, participation and exit of scheme employers.

Additional information: This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council's e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on the system at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the 'tenders' section and 'express an interest' to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or e-mailing [email protected]

The parties to the joint procurement are:

- City of Wolverhampton and City of Edinburgh Councils,

- Brunel Pensions Partnership,

- the Environment Agency,

- Local Pensions Partnership and Norfolk County Council.

The Framework may be used by:

- any administering authority and any scheme employers as defined in the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations SI 2013/2356 (as amended) and or the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018 as amended by SSI 2018/141; as defined in the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 / SRNI 2014/188(as amended);

- the Board of the Pension Protection Fund www.pensionprotectionfund.org.uk

- any other administering authority or organisation of a public-sector pension scheme or any public-sector body that requires pensions related services; and

- any Common Asset Pool or Collective Investment Vehicle established by or on behalf of an administering authority or group of administering authorities;

- any LGPS or groups of LGPS funds; or

- any bodies, organisations or companies established by them for the purpose of operating on a collective or collaborative basis.

For the avoidance of doubt, any framework user may award a contract to a successful Applicant for any Lot, in respect of any services within the given Lot. No framework user shall be prevented or restricted from calling-off work under any particular Lot(s). No guarantee of business is given. The value of the framework is expected to be between 2 550 000 GBP and 11 750 000 GBP.