This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Jul 2026 at 13:49

Summary of the contracting process

Ofcom, the communication services regulator based in London, is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Provision of flexible Benefits Administration Services and Platform." The procurement falls under the industry category of financial and insurance services and is scheduled to commence in October 2026. The contract will cover services across the UK and is set to begin in July 2027, running for an initial period of three years with the possibility of renewal. Interested suppliers were invited to participate in a preliminary market engagement that includes the completion of a questionnaire, due by 14 August 2026, to help shape the final procurement approach.

This tender represents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in financial services, insurance, and benefits administration. Companies equipped with advanced platform capabilities, strong customer service, and secure data management would be well-suited for this contract. The process encourages participation from SMEs and organisations looking to establish a strong partnership with a sub-central government public authority like Ofcom, ensuring services that align with the organisation’s high standards for security and efficiency. A successful bid can provide the winning contractor with a substantial financial uptake and a strong presence in the public sector market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of flexible Benefits Administration Services and Platform

Notice Description

Ofcom has a requirement for the provision of an end-to-end flexible benefits administration service for up to five years from July 2027. As a minimum, the service must deliver the following: 1. SCHEME ADMINISTRATION * Management of annual and open enrolment processes. Annual enrolment window currently held in November for benefits effective 1 January * Management of in year enrolment for new starters and life events * Timely and accurate monthly payroll deduction reporting in the agreed format in accordance with monthly processing timelines * Timely and accurate monthly provider reporting of colleagues in the agreed format to benefit providers in order to provide a seamless service to colleagues for onward enrolment in relevant benefits at the correct choice level * Communications functionality to inform colleagues on key process issues such as enrolment process * 1st line query management from colleagues and Ofcom Team within pre-agreed SLA * Build Benefit changes as and when required * Communications with members regarding workflow of benefit choices * Confirmation communication of benefit choices when confirmed * Management of pension re-enrolment on a three yearly cycle 2. PLATFORM * Maintenance of online benefit platform and all information held on it * Helpdesk functionality and for registration and access issues on benefit platform if not SSO * Cloud platform to enable colleagues select their benefits, and to find out information on each benefit * Ofcom would want to understand platform capability in modelling cost effect of benefits selected including whether tax and NI implications can be shown * Provide online Total Reward Statements * Single Sign On capability * Technical specification in line with Ofcom Security Requirements * Ability for the platform to act as a single, central engagement hub for all Ofcom benefits and wellbeing offerings. 3. CUSTOMER SERVICES * Responsive and proficient support service, with access to email / web queries and telephone helpdesk if required * Supplier invests in maintaining a strong and effective partnership with Ofcom, with positive attitude to ensuring exemplary service * Proactive * Access to benefit reporting, detailed MI and analytics for Ofcom

Planning Information

Engagement process description This is a Preliminary Market Engagement which is taking place in July and August 2026 for an Ofcom requirement for the provision of flexible benefits Administration Services and Platform, commencing in July 2027. The engagement takes the form of a preliminary market engagement questionnaire, and possibly some discussion between the Ofcom project team and interested suppliers. Ofcom is undertaking this pre-procurement market engagement to inform a procurement exercise that is planned to commence in October 2026 for the provision of flexible benefits administration services and platform. The subsequent contract will commence in July 2027 and will run or three years.. Organisations are invited to complete a preliminary market engagement questionnaire to provide responses on questions which will enable Ofcom to gather general feedback to inform and help us finalise our procurement approach and documentation. Interested suppliers should access the opportunity via the Ofcom’s Bravo solutions procurement portal at https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk (Bravo). Suppliers should access the portal and go to the PQQ/Selection Questionnaire page, complete the preliminary market engagement questionnaire and submit the questionnaire to Ofcom via the messaging facility on the Bravo portal. The closing deadline for submitting completed questionnaires is 12:00 hours on Friday 14 August 2026

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d108
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069248-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services


CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£420,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jul 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Oct 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFCOM
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 9HA
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Further Information

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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