The government body, which monitors public spending, is set to name new advisers in five key areas: constitutional law; property; public law; commercial law and finance; and employment.
The appointments will carry a three-year term with the option of a further 12-month extension. It is thought the NAO will appoint one firm for each specialist area, although a single firm could yet be handed more than one contract.
The NAO is currently advised by City outfit Nabarro, national giant Wragge & Co and
Winckworth Sherwood told Legal Week that it will be applying to continue its contracts with the organization, although it is not yet known whether Nabarro and Wragges will reapply ahead of the 23 April deadline.
The NAO audits the accounts of central government and other agencies on their use of public money, reporting back to Parliament. Its review comes after Whitehall last year named a total of 48 firms on its so-called 'Catalist' super-panel, which aims to lower governmental spending on external legal advice.
