Planning

Defra Closed Pension Schemes Administration

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Jul 2025 at 10:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a central government public authority located in London, is in the planning stage for a tender focused on administering two small closed pension schemes. This procurement process is classified under the insurance and pension services industry category. The anticipated contract for pension administration is valued at £750,000, extending to £900,000 if including gross amounts, over a period beginning from 1st October 2026 to 30th September 2030, with the option for renewal. DEFRA is currently exploring market interest through preliminary engagement, due by 5th September 2025, and aims to issue a future notice by 3rd November 2025. Interested parties may contact Robin Woodhouse via email for more insights regarding this tender opportunity.

This procurement presents significant business growth opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as DEFRA has specified suitability for such organisations. Businesses with expertise in pension fund administration services and those capable of providing comprehensive management solutions for pension schemes are well-positioned to compete. As suppliers assess their ability to meet the proposed timelines, this tender offers a strategic avenue for expanding their services within the public sector and enhancing their portfolio in government contracts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Defra Closed Pension Schemes Administration

Notice Description

Administration and management of two small closed pension schemes.

Planning Information

We are looking to test market interest in providing pensions administration for two small, closed pension schemes. Please email me at robin.woodhouse@defra.gov.uk for more details of the schemes. The estimated contract value given above is for the 8 years of contract and does not include the actual pension payments which also need to be made. At this point we are investigating possible routes to market and seek to confirm whether suppliers would be capable, interested, and able to meet the proposed timescales.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056105
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040852-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66500000 - Insurance and pension services

66523100 - Pension fund administration services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Robin Woodhouse
Contact Email
robin.woodhouse@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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