The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded a legal services contract to DLA Piper UK to provide specialist legal support for its Waste & Resources Service in Greater Manchester.

GMCA has approved the award of a specialist legal services contract, officially titled GMCA965 Legal Services Support to GMCA’s Waste & Resources Service. GMCA’s Waste & Resources Service oversees complex, large-scale waste management contracts across Greater Manchester, including long-term Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Private Finance Initiative (PFI)-style arrangements. Managing these contracts requires ongoing specialist legal expertise in areas such as contract management, commercial negotiations, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and governance. Historically, GMCA has used external legal support to supplement its in-house team, and this new contract ensures continued access to high-level legal advice for the effective delivery of waste services.

Following an open Invitation to Tender under the Procurement Act 2023, five bids were received. The successful bidder, DLA Piper, was selected based on a weighted evaluation: 50% technical quality, 20% social value, and 30% price, along with pass/fail assessments on company information, financial standing, and information governance.

The contract starts on 1 June 2026 for an initial 19-month term (until 31 December 2027) with a maximum value of £395,000. It includes the option to extend for up to two further years (until 31 December 2029), potentially bringing the total contract value to £895,000 (excluding VAT), subject to performance and GMCA’s needs. This appointment aims to strengthen GMCA’s ability to manage its waste portfolio efficiently, protect public interests, ensure statutory compliance, and deliver value for money.