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Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) and Employee Benefits

North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

29 Aug 2025 at 10:32

Award Notice
Award

20 Jun 2025 at 15:32

Award Notice
Tender

13 Feb 2025 at 19:46

Tender Notice
Planning

01 Nov 2024 at 17:49

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) has successfully completed its procurement process for establishing a Framework Agreement to provide pension services and employee benefits within the UK higher and further education sector. The procurement, executed by NWUPC as a central purchasing body, followed an open procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The framework includes three service areas: a Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, Group Life Assurance & Income Protection, and a Flexible Benefits Platform. It encompasses members from various consortia including APUC, HEPCW, LUPC, NEUPC, NWUPC, and SUPC. The contracts were actively awarded in 2025, with key suppliers such as Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited and Personal Group Holdings Plc involved. This initiative aims to maximize value for money by leveraging economies of scale across 50 institutions, with 10 having urgent requirements over the initial 12 months for framework participation.

This tender presents considerable opportunities for businesses in pension management, insurance services, and software solutions sectors to engage with higher education institutions. With an emphasis on a Defined Contribution Master Trust Pension Scheme, flexible benefits management, and group life assurance, enterprises offering competitive rates and quality service could significantly benefit from this framework agreement. The framework creates an opportunity for service providers to establish long-term relationships with numerous institutions, given its multi-lot structure and the likelihood of contract renewals. Businesses adept in software implementation, pension administration, and employee benefits solutions could find lucrative opportunities under this agreement, expanding their offerings across the education sector in the UK and potentially overseas.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) and Employee Benefits

Notice 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

Lot Information

Lot 1- Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) Master Trust

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.

Renewal: 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.

Lot 2- Group Life Assurance & Group Income Protection

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.

Renewal: 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.

Lot 3- Flexible Benefits Platform

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.

Renewal: 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04b383
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052312-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

66 - Financial and insurance services

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

66131100 - Pension investment services

66141000 - Pension fund management services

66510000 - Insurance services

66511000 - Life insurance services

66512000 - Accident and health insurance services

66520000 - Pension services

66522000 - Group pension services

66523100 - Pension fund administration services

75310000 - Benefit services

79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£19,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£19,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Aug 202512 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Dec 2024Expired
Award Date
29 May 20251 years ago
Contract Period
1 May 2025 - 30 Apr 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALFORD
Postcode
M6 6FP
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Salford
Electoral Ward
Pendleton & Charlestown
Westminster Constituency
Salford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited

Personal Group Holdings Plc

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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