Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Justice
5 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4AP
CCMDFinancialServices@justice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 7562433842
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKE42 - Leeds
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Ministry of Justice
one.5) Main activity
Economic and financial affairs
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of a Judicial Pension Schemes Administration
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66523100 - Pension fund administration services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This Prior Information Notice is to alert the market that the Ministry of Justice is considering the placement of a contract for the administration of the Judicial Pension Schemes (JPS).
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 66141000 - Pension fund management services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
These services are currently outsourced, and the department is considering options for future administration, and wishes to engage with the market to inform its decision on the nature and extent of any future outsourcing.
The JPS provides benefits to the majority of judges in the United Kingdom and consists of a number of legacy schemes and one open pension scheme. Most of the serving judiciary are now members of the JPS 2022, which is a career average revalued earnings scheme that came into effect in April 2022 for the accrual of benefits after this date. All the schemes are defined benefit schemes, some of which are, for tax purposes, unregistered schemes. The schemes provide contingent dependants’ benefits as well as ill health and death benefits. The scheme membership as at 31 March 2022 prior to the introduction of JPS 2022 (when members moved to the new scheme) was:
JUPRA schemes (salaried)
Active: 18 Active Salary Link: 1,162 Deferred: 42 Pensioners: 2,290 Total: 4,012
JPS 2015 (salaried and fee-paid)
Active: 1 Active Salary Link : 5,053 Deferred : 149 Pensioners : 68 Total : 5,271
Fee-Paid Judicial Pension Scheme 2017
Active : 10 Active Salary Link: 3,721 Deferred : 268 Pensioners : 1,939 Total : 5,938
The schemes are complex with high levels of member engagement and are an important element in the recruitment and retention of judges. The department’s aim is to have an administration service that provides:
• an accurate, professional and timely service that meets customers’ needs, including timely and accurate responses to member queries
• performance management arrangements that drive the right behaviour to deliver customers’ needs
• effective and efficient data interfaces, especially with the payroll providers to ensure data between systems links together to create a consistent service for members
• up-to-date integrated technology, with high volumes of automation
• continuous improvement and innovation
• bulk activity routinely delivered via a member portal
• an automated service that reduces costs in the long-term
The department is currently addressing the impact on the schemes of various litigation cases, in particular McCloud, O'Brien 2 and Miller, but expects that delivery of the remedies in respect of these cases will have concluded before the commencement of any future contract.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
27 October 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
In order to support a potential tender process for the above services, the Ministry of Justice is planning to hold a Market Engagement Event.
The Event is planned to be held in May 2023 (however, this may be subject to change) with the aim of bringing together and engaging with potential providers of the service.
Potential providers interested in the Market Engagement Event should register on the Ministry of Justice eSourcing Portal, https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk where you will be able to access further information about the market engagement event(s).