Tender

Provision of Payroll Services for St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust

ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

03 Dec 2025 at 10:16

Summary of the contracting process

The St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust has initiated a tender to source a provider for comprehensive payroll and pension administration services, covering its expanding network of schools. This procurement, titled "Provision of Payroll Services for St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust," falls under the procurement category of services with a focus on the payroll and personnel sector. Located primarily in Luton, the Trust is classified as a public authority under sub-central government. The tender process, characterised as a competitive flexible procedure under the Light Touch Regime, is active and follows a selective procurement method. Key deadlines include the submission of expressions of interest by 7 January 2026, with the enquiry period concluding on 5 January 2026. The contract is set to commence on 1 September 2026 and could potentially extend up to 31 August 2031.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in payroll management services to grow within the educational sector. With the Trust's expansion from 17 to 20 schools plus a central team, there is a demand for innovative solutions that ensure interoperability with existing HR and financial management systems. Businesses with capabilities in managing diverse pension schemes and workforce data across multiple regions will be well-suited for this contract. The tender offers a large value opportunity of £5,250,000 and places significant emphasis on quality and cost, with award criteria weighted at 70% and 30% respectively. Organisations seeking to compete must demonstrate flexibility and a deep understanding of educational payroll systems, making it ideal for firms looking to expand their footprint in public sector contracts.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Payroll Services for St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust

Notice Description

St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust is undertaking this procurement process to source a suitable provider that can operate all aspects of the Trust's payroll and pension administration for all their schools and any schools that may join the Trust in the future. Over the past few years the Trust has changed significantly by growing to 17 schools and as such the requirements of the payroll and personnel services have evolved, and now the Trust is moving to re-tender the contract to meet new demands. Each school is responsible for managing their workforce and checking payroll data, with top-level oversight coming from the Trust. STCAT schools are based within varying areas which means that the support staff workforce is enrolled in various pension schemes with differing local authorities. A provider who can understand these nuanced differences and ensure that the service is flexible yet remaining consistent, will be paramount to the success of the contract. Amongst current frustrations is the lack of easily accessible and interrogable workforce data and a lack of interoperability between the HR/Payroll service and other core systems such as the school MIS, or financial management software. Although not a firm requirement, it would be beneficial if the new service could offer such functionality. The number of schools is due to increase shortly from 17 to 20, plus the Central Team, and the Trust requires a system to manage that change.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to 2 year extension, on a +1year, +1year basis.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eda3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079210-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79211110 - Payroll management services

79631000 - Personnel and payroll services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,250,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Dec 2025Yesterday
Submission Deadline
5 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST
Additional Buyers

PANACHE CREATIVE LIMITED

Contact Name
Payroll Procurement Team
Contact Email
gailheath@panacheconsultancy.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LUTON
Postcode
LU4 0PF
Post Town
Luton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK73 Gloucestershire CC
Delivery Location
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

Local Authority
Tewkesbury
Electoral Ward
Badgeworth
Westminster Constituency
North Cotswolds

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eda3-2025-12-03T10:16:41Z",
    "date": "2025-12-03T10:16:41Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eda3",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-09660515",
            "name": "ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "09660515"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PWQV-9459-HGGG"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "St Martin De Porres Catholic Primary School",
                "locality": "Luton",
                "postalCode": "LU4 0PF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH21"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Payroll Procurement Team",
                "email": "gailheath@panacheconsultancy.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-07723278",
            "name": "PANACHE CREATIVE LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "07723278"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PJBH-9519-QWJG"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Midway House Herrick Way, Staverton Technology Park",
                "locality": "Cheltenham",
                "postalCode": "GL51 6TQ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK13"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "gailheath@panacheconsultancy.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity",
                "processContactPoint"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Panache, catering services consultants, are assisting St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust with the facilitation of this tender exercise, as a supporting role only.",
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.panacheconsultancy.co.uk"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-09660515",
        "name": "ST THOMAS CATHOLIC ACADEMIES TRUST"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eda3",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Provision of Payroll Services for St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust",
        "description": "St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust is undertaking this procurement process to source a suitable provider that can operate all aspects of the Trust's payroll and pension administration for all their schools and any schools that may join the Trust in the future. Over the past few years the Trust has changed significantly by growing to 17 schools and as such the requirements of the payroll and personnel services have evolved, and now the Trust is moving to re-tender the contract to meet new demands. Each school is responsible for managing their workforce and checking payroll data, with top-level oversight coming from the Trust. STCAT schools are based within varying areas which means that the support staff workforce is enrolled in various pension schemes with differing local authorities. A provider who can understand these nuanced differences and ensure that the service is flexible yet remaining consistent, will be paramount to the success of the contract. Amongst current frustrations is the lack of easily accessible and interrogable workforce data and a lack of interoperability between the HR/Payroll service and other core systems such as the school MIS, or financial management software. Although not a firm requirement, it would be beneficial if the new service could offer such functionality. The number of schools is due to increase shortly from 17 to 20, plus the Central Team, and the Trust requires a system to manage that change.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79211110",
                        "description": "Payroll management services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79631000",
                        "description": "Personnel and payroll services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 5250000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procedure": {
            "features": "The procurement process follows a two stage 'Competitive Flexible' approach, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage after shortlisting. This process is managed under the Light Touch Regime, and the Trust reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout."
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Submission instructions are included in the PSQ; all completed PSQ submissions are to be sent to gail@panacheconsultancy.co.uk by the deadline stipulated. https://www.panacheconsultancy.co.uk",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2026-01-07T12:00:00Z",
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-05T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 5250000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Up to 2 year extension, on a +1year, +1year basis."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Interested parties are to complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire, which can be accessed via the dropbox link provided. If you have any queries, please contact gail@panacheconsultancy.co.uk",
                "url": "https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9wj8xrno7ujyg541k3ovd/AH6phcBPgaZkMn3KuNK1VIs?rlkey=soxo9gzaepifur0uqacjaaewv&st=lowfsi1g&dl=0"
            },
            {
                "id": "079210-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079210-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-03T10:16:41Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}