UK

Contract notice

Information

Published

Expire date: 17/03/2025

External Reference: 2025-580131

FTS Reference: 2025-005038

Contract notice

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
04045190
Salford Innovation Forum, Room 210, 51 Frederick Road
Salford
M6 6FP
UK
Contact person: Sarah Dye
Telephone: +44 1612348016
E-mail: sarah.dye@nwupc.ac.uk
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es):
Main address: https://nwupc.ac.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/91080

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=89289&B=NWUPC
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
electronically via:  https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=89289&B=NWUPC
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
to 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

Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) and Employee Benefits
Reference number:  PFB3038NW
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

66520000  -  Pension services
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Services
II.1.4)

Short description

NWUPC in conjunction with UCEA has a requirement to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of a Defined Contribution Master Trust Pension Scheme and Employee Benefits including Group Life Assurance, Group Income Protection and the provision of a customisable benefits platform for the management of employee benefits through a single centralised portal. NWUPC is establishing the Framework Agreement as a central purchasing body for itself and its Members (Other Contracting Bodies (OCB)). NWUPC is managing this procurement process in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the “Regulations”) on behalf of members of APUC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC and SUPC.
The Framework Agreement will be split into three lots as follows:
Lot 1 – Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (Master Trust)
Lot 2 – Group Life Assurance & Group Income Protection
Lot 3 – Flexible Benefits Platform
II.1.5)

Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 19000000.00  GBP
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: yes
Tenders may be submitted for  all lots
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

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

Additional CPV code(s)

66131100  -  Pension investment services
66141000  -  Pension fund management 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 is seeking to set up a section in a pre-existing authorised master trust as a tailored solution for Member Institutions of the participating consortia that can be used to meet (or exceed) automatic enrolment requirements as a minimum, to be available for H2 2025 eligibility. The scheme will be available to Member Institutions to enrol staff as defined by each Employer into the DC arrangement. This may include staff employed by the Member Institution or through a wholly owned subsidiary across both academic and academic-related posts and/or professional services. This may include new employees only or existing employees. The new DC arrangement could also be made available to staff in existing Defined Benefit schemes should they choose to opt-out of the existing scheme subject to the rules and regulations of the DB scheme.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Criteria below
Quality criterion  -  Name:  Customer Requirements  /  Weighting:  85.00%
Price  -  Weighting:  15.00%
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start: 01/05/2025  /  End: 30/04/2032
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
This Framework Agreement will commence on 1st May 2025 for an initial period of five years until 30th April 2030 with the option to extend the Agreement for two years until 30th April 2032 subject to satisfactory Economic Operator performance.
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.2.13)

Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Lot 2- Group Life Assurance & Group Income Protection
Lot No:  2
II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

66510000  -  Insurance services
66511000  -  Life 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

The provision of Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection to staff of participating consortia Member Institutions as an employee benefit. It will be at the discretion of the Member Institution which of the available policies they elect to take-up. This lot does not include a requirement for any insurance broking services.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Criteria below
Quality criterion  -  Name:  Customer Requirements  /  Weighting:  75.00%
Price  -  Weighting:  25.00%
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start: 01/05/2025  /  End: 30/04/2032
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
This Framework Agreement will commence on 1st May 2025 for an initial period of five years until 30th April 2030 with the option to extend the Agreement for two years until 30th April 2032 subject to satisfactory Economic Operator performance.
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.2.13)

Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
II.2)

Description

II.2.1)

Title

Lot 3- 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

The provision of a largely off the shelf flexible benefits platform for the management of employee benefits through a single centralised online platform that is customisable to the requirements of the participating consortia member institutions. The platform will offer a range of benefits that shall be available to employees who meet any relevant qualifying criteria established by the member institution. This will cover employees across the UK and may include employees overseas. The platform must be configurable and facilitate the incorporation of existing employee benefits and offer access to benefits from reputable providers. This lot covers the provision of all software and any associated licensing. Potential Services include, but are not limited to system implementation and migration, and professional services around the range of benefits the member institution may seek to make available to employees.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Criteria below
Quality criterion  -  Name:  Customer Requirements  /  Weighting:  70.00%
Price  -  Weighting:  30.00%
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start: 01/05/2025  /  End: 30/04/2032
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Description of renewals:  
This Framework Agreement will commence on 1st May 2025 for an initial period of five years until 30th April 2030 with the option to extend the Agreement for two years until 30th April 2032 subject to satisfactory Economic Operator performance.
II.2.10)

Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: no
II.2.11)

Information about options

Options: no
II.2.13)

Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)

Conditions for participation

III.1.2)

Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3)

Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2)

Conditions related to the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.1)

Type of procedure

Open procedure
IV.1.3)

Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement:  3
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:  See section VI Additional Information
IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

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

Administrative information

IV.2.1)

Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the FTS: 2024/S 000-035563
IV.2.2)

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date:  17/03/2025
Local time:  13:00
IV.2.4)

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English
IV.2.7)

Conditions for opening of tenders

Date:  17/03/2025
Local time:  14:00

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)

Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement:  no
VI.2)

Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3)

Additional information

This framework agreement is offered on behalf of the UK Higher and Further Education Sector. The sector currently has access to a variety of Defined Benefit schemes and some institutions have existing DC Scheme provision. Engagement with the sector in scoping the agreement indicated interest in a centrally procured solution from 50 institutions. 10 have an immediate requirement to implement this within the first 12 months. The other interested institutions indicated varying degrees of readiness to implement the scheme throughout the stated duration of the agreement. Participating institutions are seeking value for money through a centralised procurement which leverages economies of scale. This is best achieved through a contract duration that facilitates scheme participation by all interested institutions, maximising assets and offering stability to the appointed provider to deliver competitive rates for the sector. The agreement duration recognises this and the lengthy governance and implementation processes that accompany the implementation of a DC Scheme in the sector. Lots 2 and 3 are complementary provisions to support the implementation of a Defined Contribution scheme within the sector and, as such, should be co-terminus. As value for money is a driver of the procurement, the Authority reserves the right to review the competitiveness of the scheme in any decision to extend.
The following organisations have committed to this procurement and intend to utilise the Framework Agreement as soon as possible after award. As such, the members and their wholly owned subsidiaries of the following Consortia may wish to utilise the Agreement and should have access at any point:
NWUPC https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/our-members
APUC http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/#!/members
HEPCW https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/
LUPC https://www.lupc.ac.uk/member-list
NEUPC http://www.neupc.ac.uk/our-members
SUPC https://www.supc.ac.uk/about-us/our-members/our-members
At some point during the life of the Framework Agreement, higher education providers registered by the Office for Students at the following link (OfS Register) may wish to utilise the Agreement and should have access at any point with the permission of NWUPC. This Agreement is not intended to replace any current Agreements that either participating or non-participating Institutions may already have in place.
The following individual Organisation (not its individual members) is also eligible to join the Framework Agreement:
Universities and Colleges Employers Association http://www.ucea.ac.uk/
VI.4)

Procedures for review

VI.4.1)

Review body

NWUPC Ltd
Salford
M6 6FP
UK