Enfield (LGPS) Pension Administration Software and Support
A Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice
by LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Contract (Supply)
- Duration
- not specified
- Value
- £2M
- Sector
- TECHNOLOGY
- Published
- 07 Nov 2024
- Delivery
- not specified
- Deadline
- n/a
Concepts
Location
Enfield
2 buyers
- London Borough of Enfield Enfield
1 supplier
- Heywood Altrincham
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.
Total Quantity or Scope
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.
Award Detail
1 | Heywood (Altrincham)
|
CPV Codes
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 75320000 - Government employee pension schemes
Indicators
Legal 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.
Reference
- FTS 036052-2024