Awarding Public Contracts Skilfully and Lawfully within the Procurement Rules

Court-Proven, Solution-Focused Answers to 7 Thorny Questions: Directly from Top-Flight Policy Makers, Lawyers and Industry Experts

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  • Live attendance at The Hilton Hotel, Belfast on 19/10/2023
  • Information you won't find elsewhere

    Our experts talk under Chatham House Rule, so you get the best, most readily usable information they wouldn't share elsewhere

Programme

  1. 09:30

    Registration and coffee

  2. 10:00

    Chair's Introduction

    Awarding public contracts skilfully and lawfully within the procurement rules

    Chaired by Edward Quigg of Quigg Golden

    Edward is one of the UK's most experienced and sought-after public procurement experts and a veteran of scores of challenges. "He doesn't sit on the fence but gives you his opinion."

  3. 10:10

    Evaluation

    Where is the wriggle room for evaluators to shift their initial views during moderation or in response to clarifications and presentations while upholding tender process integrity?

    Answered by Ciara Kennedy-Loest of Hogan Lovells

    Ciara defended Europol, the European Police Office, in two procurement challenges brought before the General Court. She is a Global Elite Thought Leader for Government Contracts.

  4. 10:50

    PME

    When engaging in preliminary market engagement, how do you ensure equal treatment, avoid undue supplier influence, and encourage active participation from suppliers, including SMEs and social enterprises?

    Answered by Kerry Teahan of Carson McDowall

    Kerry is "clear, concise and action-orientated." "Her work on Northern Ireland procurement is exceptional - advising on some of the most complex and challenging projects."

  5. 11:30

    Morning coffee

  6. 11:50

    Variations

    What practical steps can you take to de-risk contracts or frameworks that reach or exceed their thresholds, and you are faced with an unwanted variation?

    Answered by Sarah Hannaford KC

    Sarah's skill in procurement law is "brilliant and unparalleled." "Her advice is razor-sharp." She acted for HS2 over the procurement process for the design and construction of Old Oak station.

  7. 12:30

    Bunching

    What innovative strategies can you employ to effectively control and overcome challenges like bunching, marginal score differentiation, tie-breaks, and avoid confrontations with dissatisfied bidders?

    Answered by David Hansom of Clyde & Co

    David is "razor-sharp, incredibly clued up and achieves sensational results." He advised UK universities on the consequences of withdrawal from the EU's procurement regime.

  8. 13:10

    Lunch

  9. 13:50

    Social Value

    How can you effectively incorporate and evaluate social value objectives in tenders and ensure the fulfilment of bidder commitments, with real-life examples of successful implementation?

    Answered by Jamie Dunne of Brodies

    Jamie “is a rising star for public procurement”. He "has an excellent handle on the details" and a real gift for providing straightforward, user-friendly advice on complicated problems.

  10. 14:30

    Feedback

    To reduce the risk of a challenge, what information should you divulge on the winning bid's relative advantages in your feedback, and what should you withhold, supported by case law and practical examples?

    Answered by Bruno Herbots of Herbots Solicitors

    Bruno is renowned for "his inventive solutions" and for being a highly gifted public speaker. He led the way on the €20m Royal Irish Academy of Music refurbishment procurement.

  11. 15:10

    New Regs

    How do you successfully leverage available flexibilities in the new regulations and so maximize lawful contract agility in future procurements?

    Answered by William Curry of Arthur Cox

    William advised the DETI on the procurement of new submarine and terrestrial ICT. "He gives clear and thorough explanations needed to make critical business decisions."

  12. 15:50

    Over-run

  13. 16:00

    Close of conference

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