The purpose of the procurement is to procure a framework for the supply of legal services to the Regulator for Social Housing Providers in England. The regulatory function is currently carried out through the Regulation Committee of the Homes and Communities Agency, independently of the HCA's other functions. The framework will provide a flexible legal resource to support delivery of the regulatory function and — after the establishment of that function within a separate organisation — to support the regulator as a corporate entity.

The framework will comprise 2 Lots.

The framework advertised here is only to support Regulation. HCA is setting up a different legal services framework to support its other, non-Regulation, functions.

The scope of services for Lot 1 General: a general framework to deliver support on public / administrative law and regulatory law; charity law; and corporate, commercial and financial law.

It is envisaged that between 5 and 10 firms will be invited to participate further in the procurement process at the second stage. It is envisaged that 4 firms will be appointed to the General Lot.

The scope of services for Lot 2 Specialist: A specialist panel to deliver support on insolvency and/or special administration law.

Between 5 and 10 firms will be invited to participate further in the procurement process at the second stage. It is envisaged that 3 firms will be appointed to the Specialist Lot.