Procurement

Organisations are under constant pressure to improve the efficiency with which they procure goods and services so that they can maximise their purchasing power. At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we help ensure a successful procurement outcome and process by using a combination of experience, pragmatism and commerciality.

We support a range of clients, including local and central government, government agencies, universities, colleges, research facilities and utility companies on all aspects of the public procurement process. Our lawyers provide an informed overview of the impact of the latest legislation and the application of UK regulations, EU directives and ever-changing case law.

In addition, we advise on other related legal issues such as competition law (including state aid), public sector powers and freedom of information issues where they overlap with public procurement issues. In doing so, our team draws on experts across a range of practice areas including commercial, competition, construction, development, corporate and dispute resolution.

We provide proactive guidance to help clients develop strategies for dealing with the public sector procurement rules and to steer them from the initial commercial assessment to the final award and then contract management and change control. In particular, we regularly advise housing associations and developers on the implications of procurement and how best to minimise the impact of the regulations in the context of development and in procuring works and services.

Our expertise also extends to supporting suppliers and contractors when they respond to invitations to tender, requests for proposals and requirements specifications issued by public sector bodies. We ensure that our clients receive the maximum potential benefit from the procurement rules.

The firm has close links with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).