RM6400 is a major open framework covering occupational health, employee assistance programmes, eyecare, hearing services, employee benefits and wider wellbeing provision. The framework has an estimated value of £1.2995 billion excluding VAT and is structured across seven lots.
The Government Commercial Agency has extended the tender deadline for RM6400 Employee Benefits and Occupational Health Services. Suppliers now have until 3pm on 9 October 2026 to submit their tenders.
RM6400 is being established as an open framework. The initial framework is expected to run from 4 March 2027 to 3 March 2029, with an option to extend to March 2030. The wider open framework scheme is expected to remain in place until March 2035, allowing later framework appointments through which new suppliers can compete for a place.
What are the RM6400 lots?
The framework has seven lots across two broad divisions.
Occupational Health And Related Services
Lot 1.1 – Occupational Health, EAP and Eyecare Managed Service
Value: £122.85 million (exc. VAT)
This is an integrated managed service covering occupational health clinical support, 24/7 EAP provision, referrals, health surveillance, workplace adjustments and digital wellbeing services.
Lot 1.2 – Occupational Health
Value: £175.5 million (exc. VAT)
This covers modular occupational health services including management referrals, fitness assessments, health surveillance, physiotherapy, drug and alcohol testing and neurodiversity assessments.
Lot 1.3 – Employee Assistance Programmes
Value: £35.1 million (exc. VAT)
Services include 24/7 mental health and emotional support delivered through channels such as telephone, live chat, apps and face-to-face support.
Lot 1.4 – Eyecare & Hearing Services
Value: £17.55 million (exc. VAT)
This includes DSE eyesight testing, spectacles, specialist eye tests and hearing services.
Employee Benefits And Services
Lot 2.1 – Employee Benefits Managed Service
Value: £332.6 million (exc. VAT)
A paid-for, branded employee benefits platform incorporating discounts, rewards, technology schemes, salary sacrifice and cycle-to-work services.
Lot 2.2 – Employee Benefits Nil Cost Service
Value: £474.5 million (exc. VAT)
A standardised benefits platform with no platform fee charged to the buyer, including discounts, reward schemes and technology purchasing programmes.
Lot 2.3 – Wellbeing Services
Value: £141.4 million (exc. VAT)
This enables buyers to purchase standalone physical, mental and financial wellbeing services without taking a complete benefits platform. Examples include financial education, bereavement support, dental provision, gym memberships and health cash plans.
How will the open framework work?
The first framework agreement is expected to run from 4 March 2027 to 3 March 2029, with the option of a further 12 months. The wider open-framework scheme has an estimated end date of 3 March 2035, allowing the arrangement to operate through successive framework opportunities.
There is no maximum number of suppliers, and call-off contracts may be awarded either with or without further competition. The maximum supplier fee is 1%.
For suppliers, the open structure is significant. Providers that satisfy the applicable conditions and compete successfully are not fighting for a small fixed number of framework places in the same way as they would under many traditional frameworks.
What are the tender deadlines?
The first RM6400 competition is now live. The live tender confirms the framework structure, evaluation approach and timetable. Suppliers should now use the published procurement documents rather than earlier market engagement materials when making their final bid decisions.
Updated deadline: Completed tenders are now due by 3pm on 9 October 2026. The original 28 September deadline has been extended, so suppliers should work from the latest procurement documents and timetable rather than earlier versions of the notice.
- Tender submission deadline: 9 October 2026 at 3:00pm
- Estimated award decision: 22 February 2027.
The enquiry period has now closed.
How will RM6400 be evaluated?
The high-level evaluation weighting is quality: 80%, price: 20%. That weighting gives suppliers considerable scope to differentiate themselves through their qualitative submission rather than competing primarily on cost.
The exact evidence required will depend on the lot and tender documents, but bidders should be ready to demonstrate how their service will perform in a complex public-sector environment, including areas such as implementation, service accessibility, governance, technology, reporting, user experience, operational resilience and contract management where these are relevant to the requirements.
Choosing the right RM6400 lot
One of the most important decisions is whether to bid for an integrated service or a more specialist lot. A provider capable of delivering a complete occupational health and EAP service may be suited to Lot 1.1, while specialist occupational health, EAP, eyecare or hearing providers have separate routes under Lots 1.2 to 1.4.
The employee benefits division similarly distinguishes between managed platforms, nil-cost platforms and standalone wellbeing provision.
Suppliers should resist applying for additional lots simply because they appear adjacent to their core service. Each bid needs to be supported by credible capability, evidence and delivery arrangements for the specific scope being evaluated.
Get support with your RM6400 bid
RM6400 gives occupational health, employee benefits and wellbeing suppliers access to a significant public-sector market. With quality carrying an 80% weighting, suppliers need to do more than demonstrate that their service is compliant. Responses need to explain clearly how the proposed service will be implemented, managed, measured and improved.
With submissions now due on 9 October 2026, Thornton & Lowe can support suppliers with final bid reviews, response writing, compliance checks and tender management where additional capacity is needed.
