Direct Award Process
You can make a Direct Award from either Lot of the Pension Administration Operational Support Services Framework. The steps to follow are outlined below.
1. Identifying your Provider
Use the Pricing Schedules and Provider Catalogues to identify the most suitable Provider for your specific requirements.
Your selection may be based on:
- Organisational requirements
- Level of expertise offered
- Quality of service
- Value for money
- Availability
Once you have identified the most suitable Provider, invite them to deliver the service using the Call-Off criteria within your required timescale. If the selected Provider is unable to deliver the service, you should invite the next most suitable Provider.
2. Pricing Schedules
As part of their application to join the National LGPS Framework for Pensions Administration Operational Support Services, each Provider submitted a list of ceiling prices. These can be found in the Pricing Schedules.
The ceiling prices are the maximum prices that each Provider can charge and are fixed so that there are no hidden charges, and prices are comparable and transparent. As part of your Direct Award you may wish to ask each Provider to re-quote their list of prices, based on your Fund specific requirements.
3. Contract Award
All orders placed under the Framework must use the Order Form and Call-off Terms and Conditions. Together, these documents form the contract between your organisation and the successful Provider.
The successful Provider should:
- Acknowledge receipt of the Contract Award.
- Sign and return the Order Form - you will also need to sign the Order Form in line with your organisation's internal requirements.
4. Publishing Your Contract Award on Contracts Finder
If the contract value is over £30,000, you’re required to publish a Contract Award Notice for any contracts awarded through the National LGPS Frameworks.
- The notice must be published within 90 days of the contract being signed by the final party.
- You can do this via Contracts Finder - it's free to use and is accessible here: www.gov.uk/contracts-finder. Your procurement team should be able to assist you with this.