Planning

DEFENCE DISCOUNT SCHEME

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Apr 2022 at 11:03

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is planning a procurement process for a new contract titled "DEFENCE DISCOUNT SCHEME," aimed at providing a discount service for Service Personnel, Veterans, and MOD Civilians. This contract is intended to replace the current provision by Bluelight Card Company, which expires on 31st May 2022. Interested suppliers must express their interest through the Defence Sourcing Portal by 23rd May 2022, indicating their capability to achieve the requisite membership figures and offering a minimum gainshare of 15% of contract profits. The planned contract will last for four years, until May 2026, and falls under the category of Administration, Defence and Social Security Services, specifically in the UK.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses within the discount service industry, particularly those focusing on retail and online offerings catered to the armed forces community. Companies that can quickly develop a discount structure with extensive partnerships and maintain continuity of service will be well-suited to compete. Businesses with capabilities in cyber security compliance and an understanding of IR35 tax assessments will also have a competitive advantage in this procurement process, enabling them to effectively support the needs of serving personnel and veterans.

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Notice Title

DEFENCE DISCOUNT SCHEME

Notice Description

MOD's current provision of Defence Discount Scheme (DDS) for Service Personnel, Veterans and Civilians is provided by Bluelight Card Company and expires on 31st May 2022. The purpose of this PIN is to establish whether there are any alternative suppliers capable of and willing to, supply this service after this date. The Authority's intention is to re-let a further four year contract lasting until May 2026 and if there is potential for competition, to conduct that competition and if there is not, to award the new contract to Bluelight Card Company. Continued provision of this service will be on the basis that there is a NIL cost to MoD for the DDS Service. Currently DDS returns a % of profits to MoD in the form of a gainshare payment which is passed on to the four Service Welfare Central Funds. Any alternative provider would have to ensure that they could provide retail and online discounts to: Serving armed forces (regular and reservist) HM armed forces Veterans MOD Civilians (except contractors) Spouse/Partner of Serving Personnel Cadet Forces Bereaved Family Member War/service widow(er) NATO Personnel

Lot Information

Lot 1

Bluelight Card Company own the current membership details, the contracts with high street retail providers and the 'Defence Discount Service' name. Other providers could build and operate a similar discount card service, but the Authority would require this to be built up rapidly so as to ensure that there would be no immediate drop in the service provided to the Defence community from an MOD contracted provider as a result of reduced range of discounts available. The Authority would also not be willing to experience in drop in the gainshare which is linked to the size of membership and retail and service companies offering discounts. Current membership of the Scheme is 568,828 with active members (clicked an offer in last 6 months) standing at 225,094. The Total active retail offers (online and High Street retailers) is 9,819. Any alternative supplier would have to be able to reach theses membership figures very quickly and be prepared to offer MoD a gainshare minimum of 15% of the DDS contract profits each year.. Any alternative Supplier will have to hold Cyber security and comply with the Authority's IR35 Assessment and any Authority's decision on Limiting the Supplier's Liabilities. It is unlikely that any current contractor staff would be willing to transfer to any alternative supplier under TUPE.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-032ec2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010278-2022
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

75000000 - Administration, defence and social security services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 May 2022Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ewen.burton339@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8EX
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Further Information

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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