Public Procurement
Public Procurement is a dynamic and increasingly important area which has a significant impact on the purchasing decisions of the public sector, and the sales opportunities for the private sector. MH & C has significant experience in providing both contentious and non-contentious public procurement advice to public, utility and private sector clients.
Our specialist procurement lawyers are also commercial contracts lawyers. This enables a single person to oversee both the procurement and contractual aspects associated with a procurement process which creates greater cost efficiencies and also facilitates joined up thinking on procurement and contract matters. On larger projects, our procurement team work in conjunction with our projects team.
Our highly regarded procurement team advise in relation to all aspects of public procurement including the EC Directives, EC Treaty and national public procurement legislation, guidance and circulars. We advise in relation to major projects, as well as in relation to smaller scale projects and more routine procurements.
Our approach is always tailored to our client’s needs. In some cases, we take a hands on approach whilst in others our input is more limited. In all cases, we provide solution orientated and strategic advice with a focus on up-front risk assessment to facilitate informed decision making. We are adept at implementing strategic decisions to manage and mitigate procurement risks.
On the non-contentious side, we regularly assist clients:
- Create a procurement strategy
- Develop an evaluation matrix / strategy / criteria
- Manage and run competitions
- Establish frameworks
- Prepare tender / contract documents and OJ / e-tender notices
- Prepare internal evaluation guidance / procedures
- Debrief tenderers
- Create an audit trail
- Provide in-house procurement training
- Undertake in-house procurement audits
We have also advised a variety of clients in relation to the implementation of secondary policies through public procurement such as Local Labour / Employment Opportunities, Fair Trade and Green and Sustainable Procurement.
We also have a wealth of experience in contentious procurement matters. We have represented clients in High Court and Commercial Court procurement proceedings and have also dealt with the European Commission in relation to various complaints and investigations taken at a European level. We have also successfully managed complaints and challenges without the need for them to escalate to such levels.
Should you wish to find out more about how we can assist you and your business please contact one of the team members listed.
