Public Procurement

A&L Goodbody is at the forefront of Public Procurement law in Northern Ireland and has one of the strongest practices in this area in Northern Ireland. Our dedicated team of specialists advises on all aspects of EU, UK and national public procurement rules. In addition, our all-island team approach places us in a strong position to address complex, cross-jurisdictional procurement issues.

We focus on keeping abreast of legislative and policy changes affecting public procurement. Our team advises on all aspects of the procurement process – contentious and non-contentious – which breeds an in-depth understanding of the procurement regime, public law and the case law around it. The team has a wealth of experience in navigating high value complex High Court litigation.

We advise on all aspects of procurement law including:

  • Applicability of, and issues arising under EU and UK/NI procurement law and guidelines
  • Development of procurement strategies for public sector bodies and utilities
  • All steps in the procurement process from the initial e-tenders advertisement through to debriefing unsuccessful tenderers
  • Drafting of all tender and contract documentation
  • Development of scoring matrixes, selection and award criteria and weightings
  • Defending or initiating challenges to award processes
  • Responding or sending Freedom of Information Act requests
  • Audit and evaluation of procedures for compliance with procurement rules

The team regularly provides procurement law training to public sector bodies and utilities. We also provide general and bespoke client briefings on legal developments.

Experience

  • Northern Ireland Water

    in defending procurement challenges.

  • Northern Ireland Housing Executive

    in respect of procurement strategy and processes.

  • Irish Football Association

    in procurement and construction related issues for the re-development of Windsor Park.

  • Housing Associations

    on procurement strategy and the interpretation of European case law on Northern Irish procurement policy.

  • Local authorities

    on a number of related issues including contract variation, negotiation and the position with abnormally low tenders.

  • Whitemountain (part of the Breedon Group)

    bringing a challenge against the Department for Infrastructure Roads Services in respect of a major resurfacing project.

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