Official UK procurement notice
Multi-Provider Framework Agreement for the Provision of Actuarial, Benefits and Governance Consultancy Services
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)·Consortium: 6 public authorities
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNorfolk County Council, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Environment Agency (as Administering Authority of the Environment Agency Pension Fund), Essex County Council (as Administering Authority of the Essex Pension Fund), Hampshire County Council (as Administering Authority of the Hampshire Pension Fund), Surrey County Council (as Administering Authority of the Surrey Pension Fund) and Kent County Council (as Administering Authority of the Kent Pension Fund) has let a multi-provider, Framework Agreement for the provision of Actuarial, Benefits and Governance Consultancy Services primarily in support of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
This Procurement was split into 5 Lots
Lot 1 - Actuarial Services
Lot 2 - Benefits Consultancy
Lot 3 - Governance Consultancy
Lot 4 Funding Risk Advisory Services
Lot 5 Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects
There is no guarantee of business.
Government has invited participation by Norfolk in the Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
CPV: Actuarial services · Pension fund consultancy services · Pension services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 13 bids on the busiest of 5 lots · 13 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 8 yrs from 10 Nov 2025
- Scheme runs until
- 7 Jan 2034
- Buyer regions
- UK
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
1% of call-off value · A flat Management Fee of 1% will apply to all contracts let under this framework. This will be due for cash payment to the Norfolk Pension Fund to cover the administration of The National LGPS Frameworks as at 31 March each year for work invoiced during the financial year.
Who may buy through it
As detailed in the Invitation to tender
Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in May 2026.
Published description of the framework
This is an Open Framework Agreement and as such it is subject to section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023 with regards to reopening of the Framework, evaluation of bids, and the term of the scheme of Frameworks.
The Framework will be re-opened at the following points:
Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and,
Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme.
The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded.
At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 6 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework.
Each time a framework user has a requirement it will either:
hold a competition involving all suppliers capable of performing the contract. This will involve inviting bids from Suppliers on the Framework and will be scaled to the size and complexity of the requirement ("Further Competition") Contracting Authorities may appoint a single provider for one or more Lots.
or
directly award a contract to one supplier from information supplied in this Invitation to Tender and from the prices submitted in the price schedule ("Direct Award") (Lot 5 only)
The Council and any nominated users of the Framework. Agreement reserve the right to conduct Further Competitions using the Competitive Flexible procedure where appropriate.
The award criteria for further competitions will be set within the ranges
Quality
Minimum and maximum % - Can be between 50% and 80%
or
100% if using Price Per Quality Point
Sub-criteria - Actuarial Calculations and Monitoring, Providing Information and Advice, Working with Stakeholders, Reviewing Processes, Structures and Policies, Supporting Projects and Provisions of Services.
Sub-criteria % of overall score - To be determined at further competition.
Social Value, climate change and carbon reduction (if required) -Minimum and maximum % Can be between 0% and 60%
Sub-criteria - To be determined at further competition
Sub-criteria % of overall score - To be determined at further competition.
Cost Minimum and maximum % Can be between 50% and 20%
or not applicable if using Price Per Quality Point
Sub-criteria % of overall score - To be determined at further competition.
- Independent Governance Review · Carmarthenshire County Council · 13 Oct 2026
- Actuarial Services for Tyne and Wear Pension Fund · South Tyneside Council · 9 Oct 2026
- CS1039 A & E - Specialist Actuarial Consultancy · Pension Protection Fund · 7 Oct 2026
- ESCC DR Actuarial, Benefits and Governance Consultancy Services for the East Sussex Pension Fund · East Sussex County Council · 2 Oct 2026
- Pay and Reward Consultancy Services · The London Pensions Fund Authority · 25 Sept 2026
Notices that name this framework as their framework in the official record, latest 5 of 10. Many call-offs are never published, so this is a floor, not utilisation.
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lotEvery one of these 5 lots carries the same published figure, £500,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Actuarial ServicesAwardedceiling above
Provision of Actuarial Services
Lot #2Benefits ConsultancyAwardedceiling above
Provision of Benefits Consultancy
Lot #3Governance ConsultancyAwardedceiling above
Provision of Governance Consultancy
Lot #4Funding Risk Advisory ServicesAwardedceiling above
Provision of Funding Risk Advisory Services
Lot #5Consultancy Services to Support Specialist ProjectsAwardedceiling above
Provision of Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Social value | Environmental | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Actuarial Services | 84% | 5% | 11% | |
| 2 · Benefits Consultancy | 95% | 5% | — | |
| 3 · Governance Consultancy | 95% | 5% | — | |
| 4 · Funding Risk Advisory Services | 95% | 5% | — | |
| 5 · Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects | 95% | 5% | — |
- “Multi-Provider Framework Agreement for the Provision of Actuarial,…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- As detailed in the Invitation to tender Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in May 2026. · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 20 May 2025, 16:42 BST
- Last source update
- 28 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 7 Oct 2025
- Authority reference
NCCT43062- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-023460- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05196dFind a Tender
- Risks
Norfolk County Council has joined the government's Devolution Priority Programme.
This process has the potential to lead to the establishment of a county combined authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. A consultation is under way.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. One of these changes could happen without the other. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 15 Jul 2025, 14:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 18 Jun 2025, 14:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 1% of call-off value · A flat Management Fee of 1% will apply to all contracts let under this framework. This will be due for cash payment to the Norfolk Pension Fund to cover the administration of The National LGPS Frameworks as at 31 March each year for work invoiced during the financial year.
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council`s e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗. Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the `tenders` section and `express an interest` to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or e-mailing [email protected].
Timeline
20 May 2025 → 28 Jan 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published20 May 2025, 16:42 BST
- Clarification questions by18 Jun 2025, 14:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown15 Jul 2025, 14:00 BST
- Award decision expected by380 days ago7 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent359 days ago29 Oct 2025
- Standstill ends349 days ago7 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts347 days ago10 Nov 2025
- Latest notice published267 days ago28 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMT
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 20 May 2025- Tender notice published20 May 2025, 16:42 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published29 Oct 2025, 17:35 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete29 Oct 2025, 17:35 GMT
- Contract signature expected15 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published28 Jan 2026, 17:47 GMTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£150,000,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 5 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 5 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Actuarial Services1 award | |||
| Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, MercerLot 1 Actuarial Services8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034Options: The Framework will be re-opened at the following points: Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and, Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme. The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded. At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 7 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework. | ceiling above | 29 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Benefits Consultancy1 award | |||
| Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Paymaster (1836) Limited8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034Options: The Framework will be re-opened at the following points: Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and, Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme. The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded. At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 7 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework. | ceiling above | 29 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Governance Consultancy1 award | |||
| Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Redington LtdSMELot 3 Governance Consultancy8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034Options: The Framework will be re-opened at the following points: Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and, Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme. The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded. At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 7 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework. | ceiling above | 29 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Funding Risk Advisory Services1 award | |||
| Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Redington LtdSME8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034Options: The Framework will be re-opened at the following points: Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and, Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme. The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded. At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 7 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework. | ceiling above | 29 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 5 · Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects1 award | |||
| Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, GRANT THORNTON UK ADVISORY & TAX LLP, GamCareVCSE, Hymans Robertson, Isio Group Ltd +5 moreLot 5 Consultancy Services to Support Specialist8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034Options: The Framework will be re-opened at the following points: Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under the scheme, and, Within a period of 5 years beginning on the award of the second Framework scheme. The final Framework will expire at the end of the period of eight years beginning with the day on which the first Framework under the scheme is awarded. At the point of re-opening the Framework, the opportunity will be advertised on Find a Tender Service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts awarded under the Framework may have a maximum total duration of 10 years. No contract awarded from the Framework will be permitted to extend beyond 7 January 2044 and must be awarded during the term of the Framework. | ceiling above | 29 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 5 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £150,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Actuarial Services · Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer
- Signed
- 6 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034
- Status
- active
Benefits Consultancy · Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Paymaster (1836) Limited
- Signed
- 6 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034
- Status
- active
Governance Consultancy · Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Redington LtdSME
- Signed
- 6 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034
- Status
- active
Funding Risk Advisory Services · Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, Hymans Robertson, Mercer, Redington LtdSME
- Signed
- 6 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034
- Status
- active
Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects · Aon Solutions UK Limited, Barnett Waddingham LLP, GRANT THORNTON UK ADVISORY & TAX LLP, GamCareVCSE, Hymans Robertson, Isio Group Ltd +5 more
- Signed
- 6 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 8 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2034
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Actuarial Services | 4final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Benefits Consultancy | 5final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Governance Consultancy | 5final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Funding Risk Advisory Services | 5final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Consultancy Services to Support Specialist Projects | 13final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonAon Solutions UK Ltd · Greater London · all lots
- wonBARNETT WADDINGHAM LLP · Greater London · all lots
- wonHYMANS ROBERTSON LLP · Greater London · all lots
- wonMERCER LIMITED · Greater London · all lots
- wonPAYMASTER (1836) LIMITED · South East England · 2, 5
- wonREDINGTON LIMITEDSME · Greater London · 3, 4, 5
- wonGovernment Actuary's Department · Greater London · 5
- wonGRANT THORNTON UK ADVISORY & TAX LLP · Greater London · 5
- wonISIO GROUP LIMITED · Greater London · 5
- wonKPMG LLP · Greater London · 5
- wonPENFIDA LTD · South East England · 5
- did not winPRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP · Greater London · 5
- did not winLANE CLARK & PEACOCK LLP · Greater London · 5
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
6 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Environment AgencyContracting authorityPublic authority - central government
- Essex County CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Hampshire County CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Kent County CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Surrey County CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
Framework contractors & participating bidders
14 commercial parties on the notice · 13 awarded- Aon Solutions UK LtdFramework contractor
- BARNETT WADDINGHAM LLPFramework contractor
- GRANT THORNTON UK ADVISORY & TAX LLPFramework contractor
- Government Actuary's DepartmentFramework contractor
- Government Actuary's DepartmentFramework contractor
- HYMANS ROBERTSON LLPFramework contractor
- ISIO GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- KPMG LLPFramework contractor
- LANE CLARK & PEACOCK LLPBidder / tenderer
- MERCER LIMITEDFramework contractor
Show 4 more suppliers
- PAYMASTER (1836) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- PENFIDA LTDFramework contractor
- PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLPFramework contractor
- REDINGTON LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (18)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 3 more notices
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender