Prior information notice

Information

Published

Expire date: 20/11/2024

External Reference: 2024-588971

FTS Reference: 2024-035563

Prior information notice

Prior information notice

Services

This notice is for prior information only

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
04045190
Room 404, 4th Floor, Crescent House, University of Salford
Salford
M5 4WT
UK
Contact person: Sarah Dye
Telephone: +44 1612348016
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es):
Main address: https://nwupc.ac.uk/

I.2)

Joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3)

Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at:  
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=86802&B=NWUPC
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
I.4)

Type of the contracting authority

Other type:  Sub-central contracting authority
I.5)

Main activity

Education

Section II: Object

II.1)

Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)

Title

Pensions Defined Contribution Scheme
Reference number:  PFB3038 NW
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

66520000  -  Pension services
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Services
II.1.4)

Short description

NWUPC, supported by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), are notifying the market of our intention to establish a Framework Agreement for the following three areas:
Lot 1 - Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
Lot 2 - Group Life Assurance
Lot 3 - Flexible Benefits Platform
The framework agreement will be open to members of NWUPC, APUC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC and SUPC. The agreement is planned to commence in April 2025.
The products under the three Lots will be available to HEI's alongside the existing pension schemes and risk benefits they offer. It will be open to each HEI to decide how they choose to use each product including which employees are able to take up each product.
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: yes
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Pensions Defined Contribution Scheme (Master Trust)
Lot No:  1
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

66131100  -  Pension investment services
66141000  -  Pension fund management services
66510000  -  Insurance services
66511000  -  Life insurance services
66512000  -  Accident and health insurance services
66522000  -  Group pension services
66523100  -  Pension fund administration services
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

NWUPC, in conjunction with UCEA and UKUPC, are managing the establishment of a centrally procured Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (Master Trust). This lot will be open to any Higher Education Institution (HEI) to use alongside the existing pension schemes offered by HEIs. Please see the additional information available in the market engagement pack on the background to the requirement and the indicative scope.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Group Life Assurance
Lot No:  2
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

66511000  -  Life insurance services
66510000  -  Insurance services
66512000  -  Accident and health insurance services
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

This lot will be open to any Higher Education Institution (HEI) to use alongside lots 1 and/or 3 or in isolation. This lot is for the provision of a group life assurance scheme to complement existing and future benefits offered by HEIs. Please see the additional information available in the market engagement pack on the background to the requirement and the indicative scope.
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Flexible Benefits Platform
Lot No:  3
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

48000000  -  Software package and information systems
75310000  -  Benefit services
79900000  -  Miscellaneous business and business-related services
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

This lot will be open to any Higher Education Institution (HEI) to use alongside lots 1 and/or 2 or in isolation. This lot is for the provision of a benefits platform which offers access to a variety of preferred benefit arrangements, covering key UK benefits through a flexible, pre-configured system. The benefit products within this lot will complement existing and future benefits offered by HEIs. Please see the additional information available in the market engagement pack on the background to the requirement and the indicative scope.
II.3)

Estimated date of publication of contract notice:

02/12/2024

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement : yes
IV.2)

Administrative information

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.3)

Additional information

Additional information about this opportunity can be found in the information pack hosted on the EU Supply portal, link available at section 1.3.
NWUPC would like to understand the level of market interest in this future opportunity.
If you would like to register your interest and submit questions as part of this engagement process, please visit the following link by the 20th November 2024:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/enp/pension-defined-contribution-scheme-pfb-3038-nw-pre-market-enga