Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
London Borough of Enfield
Civic Centre
Enfield
EN1 3ES
Contact
Procurement Services
Procurement.Support@enfield.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Enfield (LGPS) Pension Administration Software and Support
Reference number
DN724064
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The London Borough of Enfield, acting as the Administering Authority for the Enfield Pension Fund, intends to award a 5 year contract for the provision of Pension Administration Software and support, from 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2030.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,805,895
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 75320000 - Government employee pension schemes
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
5 year contract for the provision of Pension Administration Software and support, from 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2030. Award in accordance with Regulation 32(2)(B)(ii), the negotiated procedure without prior publication where competition is absent for technical reasons.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
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.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Heywood Limited
2nd Floor, 3 Barrington Road
Altrincham
WA14 1GY
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £1,805,895
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England and Wales
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom