Scope
Reference
Y26007
Description
This Framework will provide a compliant, flexible, and outcomes-focused route to market for public sector organisations seeking to procure the delivery of employee benefits and services including but not limited to:
•Childcare vouchers
•Cycle to work scheme
•Employee assistance programmes
•Financial wellbeing scheme
•Green car scheme
•Learning and development programme
•Leisure facility discounts/gym memberships
•Payroll giving scheme
•Retail store discounts and promotions
•Reward and recognition scheme
•Subscription discounts
Bidders will be expected to be able to provide all services listed above either directly or via sub-contractors/partners.
The provision of employee benefits needs to be designed to enhance wellbeing, support financial stability, encourage personal development, and promote a positive work-life balance, Suppliers must be able to meet the following requirements:
•Services to be accessible to all employees and adaptable to diverse needs and lifestyles.
•Customers must be able to access benefits via an online platform, access the platform 24/7, 365 days a year.
•The online platform should offer flexibility to meet any Customer requirements that may arise.
•Suppliers must cover the provision of confidential, accessible, and inclusive support services to employees, designed to promote mental, emotional, financial, and legal wellbeing.
•Services may be delivered in-person, online, or via telephone, and should be available to all employees regardless of location or working pattern.
•Staff must be qualified and competent to carry out any intended services.
•Advice and support to be carried out is to be delivered, where possible, ensuring the employees work performance, health and wellbeing is impacted as little as possible.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://csg.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1003797895
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £50,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 1 April 2030
- 4 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60161000 - Parcel transport services
- 75310000 - Benefit services
- 79211110 - Payroll management services
- 79990000 - Miscellaneous business-related services
- 79994000 - Contract administration services
- 80500000 - Training services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
- 98300000 - Miscellaneous services
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
1 April 2030
Maximum number of suppliers
6
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
1%
Framework operation description
Overview of framework operation
This framework will be established under the Procurement Act 2023. It enables Contracting Authorities identified in the UK4 notice to award call‑off contracts for the Services during the framework term. Call‑off contracts may be awarded using the methods described below, subject to the Award Criteria and conditions set out in the associated tender documents
9.Call-Off Contract Award
Call-Off Contracts may be awarded using any one of the following methods outlined below.
1.Direct Award (Award Without Competitive Selection)
2.Rapid Request for Quote (Rapid RFQ)
3.Further Competition
The ultimate responsibility for selecting the most appropriate and compliant route for a specific requirement rests with the Customer. The onus will be on the Customer to carry out their own due diligence before selecting which method to use. The Customer will determine the requirement, specification and award, based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)
Direct Award (award without a competitive selection):
This Framework permits Direct Award, defined under the Procurement Act 2023 as awarding a Call-Off Contract without conducting a new competitive selection procedure. A Direct Award may only be used where the Customer can identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) using only the information and scores submitted at Framework award, without requesting any new pricing, clarification, or qualitative information from Suppliers.
Permitted Direct Award Methods
Customers may use any of the following objective, pre-published Direct Award methods. The Customer must choose one method before reviewing Supplier capability for their requirement.
1. Overall Framework Ranking (Quality + Price Combined Score)
The Customer awards the Call-Off Contract to the Supplier ranked highest overall at Framework award. If the highest-ranked Supplier cannot meet the requirement, the Customer must document the reason and move sequentially to the next ranked Supplier. We anticipate this to be the default Direct Award method.
2. Highest Total Quality Score
The Customer may award to the Supplier that achieved the highest total quality score for each Lot during Framework evaluation, where quality is the Customer's primary consideration.
3. Lowest Overall Price/Highest Commercial Advantage
Award to the Supplier offering the lowest evaluated Framework price as submitted in Annex H.
This method:
•must use the original evaluated Pricing Schedule
•must not use catalogue pricing or non-evaluated price lists
•must not request revised or updated pricing
If new pricing is required, this method is not suitable and Customers must choose another method.
4. Highest Score in a Specific Evaluation Question
Award to the Supplier with the highest score in a specific Framework evaluation question that directly relates to the Customer's requirement.
This method may only be used where:
•the question formed part of the Framework quality evaluation
•scoring was completed by the Contracting Authority
5. Partial-Service Selection (Specific Services from the Pricing Schedule)
Where a Customer requires only a subset of the services available under the Framework, a Direct Award may be made using the original per-service prices submitted at Framework award.
A Customer may compare only the relevant per-service prices and award to the Supplier whose evaluated per-service prices represent the Most Advantageous Tender.
This method is only permitted where:
•All prices used are from the original evaluated Pricing Schedule
•No new or updated pricing is requested
•The comparison is applied consistently and objectively
•No new weighting or qualitative assessment is introduced
Catalogue pricing or non-evaluated price lists cannot be used to determine MAT.
Where new pricing or new information is required, the Customer must conduct a competitive call-off selection process.
Requirements for Direct Award
Customers should retain an auditable record setting out:
•the Direct Award method selected;
•the objective rationale for that method;
•the comparison or ranking used;
•(if applicable) why a higher-ranked Supplier could not meet the requirement.
Customers must not:
•request revised or updated pricing
•request new qualitative information
•introduce new award criteria
Transition to competitive call-off selection process
If the Customer cannot objectively determine the MAT using only Framework-award information (e.g., new pricing is required, new service models are proposed, or qualitative responses are needed), the Customer must run a competitive call-off selection process.
Competitive Call Off Selection Process:
Rapid RFQ
A Rapid RFQ is a streamlined competitive process appropriate for low-complexity or tightly defined requirements where essential criteria can be specified as Pass/Fail, and price acts as the ultimate determinant among compliant Suppliers
Best For: Requirements needing a specific, verifiable skill, where price is the deciding factor after that essential need is met.
A Further Competition process is used where Customers carry out a competition for the award of a Call-Off Contract.
A Further Competition is required where:
•the Customer needs updated or new pricing
•qualitative responses are needed
•service proposals need tailoring
•new information is required
•the requirement is complex or high-value
Best For: Complex projects, high-value Call-Off Contracts, and any situation where the quality of the solution is a critical factor.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
4.1.This Framework is for use by Customers in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies that exist on 05/01/26 and which fall into one or more of the following categories:
•Ministerial government departments
•Non ministerial government departments
•Executive agencies of government
•Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), including advisory NDPBs, executive NDPBs, and tribunal NDPBs
•Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies (ASPBs)
•Police forces
•Fire and rescue services
•Ambulance services
•Maritime and coastguard agency services
•NHS bodies
•Educational bodies or establishments including state schools (nursery schools, primary schools, middle or high schools, secondary schools, special schools), academies, colleges, Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), further education colleges and universities
•Hospices
•National Parks
•Housing associations, including registered social landlords
•Third sector and charities
•Citizens advice bodies
•Councils,
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
21 January 2026, 2:00pm
Tender submission deadline
9 February 2026, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
13 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Pricing | Price | 30% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Kent County Council (t/a Procurement Services)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYCX-4938-CCHM
1 Abbey Wood Road
West Malling, Kent
ME19 4YT
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government