Debt Collection and Enforcement Services (DCES)

Tender description

This procurement is for the delivery of Crown Court Means Testing (CCMT) - Debt Collection and Enforcement Services (DCES) for the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). The Supplier will be required to provide national debt collection and enforcement services in relation to monies owed by means tested defendants who are in receipt of legal aid in respect of a case to be heard, or a case that has been heard and resulted in a conviction, in the Crown Court. The Services covers all Crown Courts in England and Wales. The Supplier will be responsible for the collection and enforcement of Legal Aid Contributions which requires case management, collection, enforcement and refund of monies where appropriate. The Supplier must keep individuals fully engaged throughout the lifetime of the debt. LEGAL AID MEANS TEST REVIEW - Current estimates suggest that Crown Court Means Testing policy changes resulting from the Legal Aid Means Test Review consultation are likely to be implemented around Spring 2025, during the life of this Contract. The Authority reserves the right to change the requirements under this Contract, especially in respect of the thresholds and provisions for calculating the contributions as well as the forecasted volumes of work and administrative costs, to reflect the outcomes of the Legal Aid Means Test Review (MTR). The Supplier will be required to implement changes to its digital systems and processes in accordance with the outcomes of the Legal Aid Means Test Review (each such Change being an MTR Change). Further information is provided in the Invitation to Tender documentation. This requirement is being competed under the Open Procedure. Please note that this is not a call for Expressions of Interest and potential suppliers are therefore required to submit their full tender in accordance with the instructions in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Instructions for Bidders document. The Cabinet Office has introduced mandatory requirements relating to data handling, security, and information assurance in Government contracts. Information, systems, equipment and processes must be protected and Government suppliers must provide an appropriate level of security. Please note that this is a mandatory requirement that suppliers must hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification. The original contract duration will be 48 months with a potential to extend for a maximum of a further 24 months.