Netherlands – Legal advisory and representation services – Procurement procedure for legal advice, pre-litigation and litigation services in relation to EU Staff matters

The Agency presently employs staff members as temporary agents and contract agents and considers that it may, on occasion, require legal services from a law firm in relation to its employment conditions, namely the Staff Regulations of officials and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Union (“EU Staff Regulations”), the Protocol (No 7) on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union , other provisions applicable to staff members but also on other matters which may arise in relation to employment conditions of staff (collectively referred to “EU staff matters”). Staff members have the right to lodge appeals and complaints against administrative decisions taken by the Agency under these Regulations. Staff members may also make appeals to the European Court of Justice or the Ombudsman. The Agency may also require legal services in relation to such appeals, complaints or disputes. In light of the foregoing, the Agency seeks to conclude multiple framework contracts (FWC) for the services of external lawyers who hold particular knowledge in EU staff matters, to predominantly cover the provision of: 1) legal advice in relation to the interpretation and implementation of the provisions of the Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (“EU Staff Regulations”); the Protocol (No.7) on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union; other provisions applicable to staff members; and other matters which may arise in relation to employment conditions of staff (“collectively referred to “EU staff matters”), and 2) pre-litigation and litigation services to represent the Agency before the EU Courts, as well as for the provision of legal advice in pre-litigation and litigation stage in relation to staff cases pursuant to “EU staff matters”. It is emphasised that (a) “pre-litigation services” shall be understood as cases where legal advice is given in the preparation of arbitration or conci