Enfield (LGPS) Pension Administration Software and Support

CPV: Government employee pension schemes · Software package and information systems

Procedure method

Negotiated without publication of a contract notice

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Goods

Notice status

Awarded

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Competitive procedure

GPA / WTO covered

Yes (GPA)

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

7 Nov 2024, 11:56 GMT

Last source update

7 Nov 2024, 11:56 GMT

Authority reference

DN724064

FTS notice number

2024/S 000-036052

Classification (CPV)

Government employee pension schemesSoftware package and information systems

Delivery area

UK

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-04b498 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons

Published justification

Regulation 32(2)(B)(ii) states:

(2) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts in any of the following cases:—

(b)where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator for any of the following reasons:—

(ii)competition is absent for technical reasons

The reasons for this are as follows:

1. In 2015, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Government’s public sector pension changes unlawfully treated existing public sectors differently in relation to age discrimination. This is referred to as the McCloud Judgement. Public sector pension schemes are required to assess member benefits and make changes to member service, which will include paying compensation during the ‘remedy period’ which is April 2014 to March 2022.

The huge impact and timing of McCloud on LGPS funds means that it is not possible to scope the technical requirements or implement a transition to a new software supplier to coincide with the current contract cycle.

2. The unreasonable cost (due to scarcity) of resource to dedicate to a transition to a new supplier, due to difficulty recruiting staff within the public sector pensions administration sector.
3. LGPS changes to the re-evaluation dates of pensions have altered the technical parameters of the system. It would be a significant risk to move away from the incumbent system while this work is taking place.
4. The National Pension Dashboard, which is being developed by the Government will allow individuals to see all their pension benefits and pension savings in one place. Enfield Pension Fund must on board by October 2025. It would be a significant risk to move away from the incumbent system before this date as the transfer may jeopardise the ability to meet the onboarding deadline.
5. The above changes in pensions regulations and associated law, which are outside the control of the Enfield Administering Authority means that the timescales required for procurement and transition to a new supplier (between 12 -18 months) are such that it is not technically possible for any other provider to fulfil the Council's service requirements at the time required.
6. As per the LGPS Regulations, the Enfield Pension Fund must be revaluated every 3 years. The next Fund valuation is based on scheme date at 31st March 2025. The Enfield Administering Authority will need to ensure data is accurate and available at this date to provide required information to the Funds actuaries. There would be a significant risk to move away from the incumbent system on 1st April 2025.

The intention will be to run a competitive procurement process at around the end of year 3 of the proposed new contract.

A 10 day standstill period will now commence which will expire midnight 18/11/2024.

• Heywood LimitedAwarded supplier 2nd Floor, 3 Barrington Road, Altrincham, UK, WA14 1GY

No document links were published on the notice.