---
title: "Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) and Employee Benefits"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04b383"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b383"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b383.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b383.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTH WESTERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM"
published: "2025-08-29"
---

# Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution) and Employee Benefits

Buyer: NORTH WESTERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04b383

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052312-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | 2 Dec 2024 |
| Award date | 28 May 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £19,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £19,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH WESTERN UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM |
| Locality | SALFORD |
| Post town | Manchester |
| Postcode | M5 4WT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD34 Greater Manchester South West |
| Local authority | Salford |
| Electoral ward | Pendleton & Charlestown |
| Westminster constituency | Salford |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | AVIVA LIFE & PENSIONS; PERSONAL GROUP HOLDINGS |

## CPV Codes

### 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

### 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

## Release History

- 29 Aug 2025 at 09:32 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052312-2025
- 20 Jun 2025 at 14:32 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034139-2025
- 13 Feb 2025 at 19:46 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005038-2025
- 1 Nov 2024 at 17:49 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035563-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk/#!/members
- http://www.neupc.ac.uk/our-members
- http://www.ucea.ac.uk/
- https://nwupc.ac.uk/
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=86802&B=NWUPC
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=89289&B=NWUPC
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/91080
- https://www.hepcw.ac.uk/members/
- https://www.lupc.ac.uk/member-list
- https://www.nwupc.ac.uk/our-members
- https://www.supc.ac.uk/about-us/our-members/our-members

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b383. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b383.json.