The LSC is running a competitive tender process for 9 month interim contracts for Community Legal Advice (CLA) , a free and confidential telephone advice service covering England & Wales.

The interim contracts will be in:

• debt
• education and;
• welfare benefits

The 9 month interim contracts are to cover the period prior to the implementation of the telephone advice proposals, as set out in the Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid (the "Proposals"). The Proposals will see the service redesigned and tendered via a competitive process.

Any organisation wishing to deliver CLA Specialist Telephone advice interim contracts in debt, education and welfare benefits must be able to deliver the CLA service by 2 July 2012.

The initial stage of the CLA tender process is the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ).

The deadline for submission of the PQQ is 12 noon on 14 March 2012.

The documents on the CLA interim contract tender page provide information on how you can apply.

Applications must be made online through the e-tendering system. A helpline (0800 3684850) has been set up, which you can call if you are having any technical problems with using the eTendering system.

If you have any questions about the content of the PQQ, or associated guidance these should be raised through the e-tendering system and must be asked by 12 noon on 7 March 2012.

Questions of wider interest will be collated and answered through a Frequently Asked Questions document which will be published in the documents panel on this page on 9 March 2012.

Successful PQQ applicants will then be invited to submit an Invitation to Tender.

Closing date for submission of the PQQ is 12 noon on 14 March 2012.