MOBILIST: Legal Services & Specialist Advise

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id

ocds-h6vhtk-066008

Status

complete

Main Procurement Category

services

Procurement Method

limited

Procurement Method Details

Negotiated without publication of a contract notice

Why this procedure was chosen

The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) intends to award £60,000 (ex VAT) financial uplift to MOBILIST: Legal Services & Specialist Advise contract with Dentons UK and Middle East LLP. This amendment is for the finalisation of ongoing commissioned work only. The award of this contract modification without prior publication is deemed lawful under Regulation 72(1)(b) PCR 2015. This provision permits contracting authorities to modify an existing contract without triggering a new procurement procedure where additional services have become necessary, the change could not have been foreseen by a diligent contracting authority, and changing supplier cannot be carried out for economic or technical reasons without causing significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs. In this case, the additional legal services required for the MOBILIST programme meet all the conditions set out in Article 72(1)(b).The additional services were not foreseeable at the time of contract award. The original framework call‑off was based on a projected legal demand aligned to a modest and predictable investment pipeline. Following award, the MOBILIST pipeline expanded significantly beyond original expectations. This material increase in volume and complexity could not reasonably have been foreseen during the original procurement. Changing supplier would cause substantial duplication of costs and significant operational risk. The incumbent supplier has developed detailed programme‑specific knowledge, is actively engaged in multiple ongoing transactions, and is currently completing due‑diligence and advisory work already commissioned. Changing supplier mid‑process would require extensive onboarding, re‑performance of work, and reconstruction of legal and transactional history, resulting in significant duplication of cost and time. It would also expose the authority to operational, financial, and legal risks and a lapse in essential foreign‑jurisdiction legal coverage. The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract. The uplift relates solely to financial continuity for work already commissioned. It does not alter the scope, duration, deliverables, technical characteristics, KPIs, or personnel. No new activities beyond the original purpose, specialist legal advisory support for MOBILIST investment activities are being introduced. The value of the modification remains within the permitted threshold. The uplift of £60,000 (ex VAT) represents less than 50% of the original contract value, in line with the quantitative limits permitted under Article 72(1)(b) and PCR Regulation 6 (valuation methodology). The modification is therefore compliant with proportionality and threshold requirements. A new procurement procedure is already planned for future requirements. The modification is strictly time‑limited and serves only as a temporary bridge until a compliant procurement is completed. It therefore does not circumvent competition but preserves continuity until a new competitive or compliant route is executed.

Lots and requirements

Items and delivery

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Award information

Contracts and changes

Recorded locations

• Buyer location · London · UK · SW1A 2AH · United Kingdom
• Delivery location · UK