Civil Service DC Pension Arrangements: Administration and Investment Platform Solutions

The Cabinet Office is re-tendering for the provision of administration and investment platform services for the Civil Service Pension Scheme Defined Contribution (DC) arrangements. The current DC pension arrangements include: 1) Partnership Pension Account (contract-based; bundled; main DC arrangement); 2) The Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (a statutory scheme — akin to a trust based arrangement); and 3) Standalone Stakeholder scheme contract based; bundled arrangement. Tenders are invited for the provision of DC pension services, through either contract-based or master-trust type arrangement. The Cabinet Offices' preference is to have a single type of arrangement going forwards with a single provider. Bidders can submit 2 bids if they would like to put forward a contract based solution and a master-trust solution.

The Cabinet Office intends to select a single preferred provider. The following high level information is provided in order for bidders to assess contract value: AUM: approx. 390 000 000 GBP; Membership: approx. 19 550 (around 50 % actives); Annual contributions: approx. 32 000 000 GBP. Further information is contained within the PQQ. Term of the contract has been entered as 60 months however this may be extended subject to satisfactory performance. Any variations or extensions will be subject to discussion and agreement between the Provider and the Cabinet Office.

Indicative Timetable: Deadline for submission of questions regarding the PQQ - 14 Sept 2016 PQQ submission Deadline - 19 Sept 2016 Invitations issued for RFP - 23 Sept 2016 Contract Awarded - 21 Dec 2016 Commencement of contract - 20 Feb 2017

Additional information: Candidates will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the 2015 Public Contract Regulations (implementing the Directive) on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). This procurement will be managed electronically via the Contracting Authority's Emptoris system. To participate in this procurement, participants must 1st be registered on the Emptoris system. If you have not yet registered on the Emptoris system, this can be done online at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link ‘Register for CCS eSourcing’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esourcing-tool-guidance-for-suppliers