This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

28 Apr 2026 at 12:56

Award

15 Dec 2022 at 12:49

Tender

10 Oct 2022 at 13:55

Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is seeking providers for their "CO0113 Staff Rewards & Benefits" programme, classified under "Other community, social and personal services," in the UKH region. The procurement aims to extend and harmonise employee benefits into an accessible web portal. As of 28th April 2026, the process is in the tender update stage, with contract amendments extending the end date to 30th June 2028. Initially active since October 2022, the procurement followed an open procedure method, engaging businesses through electronic submissions and focusing heavily on quality and social value criteria alongside pricing considerations.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses in the service industry, particularly those specialising in employee benefits platforms. Companies with expertise in digital solutions, including web and app development for employee engagement tools, would be well-suited. SMEs are encouraged, as electronic bids have been accommodated, allowing efficient participation. The flexible contract and pricing model presents a chance for businesses to innovate and cater to Essex County Council's evolving needs, setting a precedent for potential collaborations with neighbouring authorities under the Vine HR Partnership. Successful engagement could lead to wider market opportunities in public sector employee benefits schemes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CO0113 Staff Rewards & Benefits

Notice Description

ECC currently operates a range of employee benefits including discounted shopping, salary sacrifice opportunities, buying of annual leave etc. We are seeking a provider or providers to potentially extend and harmonise our various benefits into an accessible web portal for employees to access wherever and whenever they need to. Active encouragement will also be given during the course of the contract to partner organisations (such as the Vine HR Partnership of neighbouring local authorities) to participate in the scheme at their own cost. The contract and pricing will need to be flexible to accommodate this intent. ECC has already developed such a portal in- house and providers can view this at My ECC Total Reward Hub | Welcome (rewardgateway.co.uk) to determine the minimum standard required. While the main provision is expected to be through a web based approach, full access to all services (such as via an app or by telephone to a Help Desk) must be possible for those employees who do not have access, or regular access, to a computer or other media device.

Lot Information

Lot 1

ECC currently operates a range of employee benefits including discounted shopping, salary sacrifice opportunities, buying of annual leave etc. We are seeking a provider or providers to potentially extend and harmonise our various benefits into an accessible web portal for employees to access wherever and whenever they need to. Active encouragement will also be given during the course of the contract to partner organisations (such as the Vine HR Partnership of neighbouring local authorities) to participate in the scheme at their own cost. The contract and pricing will need to be flexible to accommodate this intent. ECC has already developed such a portal in- house and providers can view this at My ECC Total Reward Hub | Welcome (rewardgateway.co.uk) to determine the minimum standard required. While the main provision is expected to be through a web based approach, full access to all services (such as via an app or by telephone to a Help Desk) must be possible for those employees who do not have access, or regular access, to a computer or other media device. Provision will principally be to core ECC employees (circa 7,800 employees currently but reducing over future years as the council transforms and restructures), but the contract and pricing will need to be flexible to allow this number to increase or decrease as ECC reviews structure and operating models. The existing agreement for the delivery of these services is expiring and ECC is looking to procure a replacement service which embraces new ways of working that have manifested due to the impact of the Pandemic. Staff are no longer tied to a single location/office from which they work, as such there is a greater diversity in location. The new service will be required to be flexible in how it delivers local benefits across Essex. Essex Council has made a commitment to develop an employee benefits scheme for its employees and also has a long-term vision to move towards a 'Total Reward' system to potentially include total reward statements. Essex County Council wishes to continue to offer its staff salary sacrifice arrangements and a voluntary benefits discount programme that offers 'real' benefits that reflect typical consumer spending and provides significant savings for scheme members. The voluntary benefits element of the scheme will need to be innovative and flexible in its provision of a wide range of top name and local discounts to staff. Essex County Council currently offer: - Childcare Voucher Scheme, - Cycle to Work Scheme, - Additional Annual leave purchase

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-037470
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038600-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Nov 2022Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Dec 20223 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH East (England), TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

REWARD GATEWAY (UK

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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