The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) (formerly the Crown Commercial Service) has launched Payment Solutions 3, a new open framework agreement with a total estimated value of up to £16,200,000,000 (including VAT) over four years. The agreement reference is RM6383.
This framework replaces Payment Solutions 2 (RM6248), which runs until October 2026. It covers commercial card and digital payment solutions, prepaid cards, and vouchers, giving public sector organisations across the UK (and internationally) a compliant route to procure these services. The submission deadline is 8 May 2026, with the framework estimated to go live on 1 October 2026.
If you are a payment solutions, fintech, or financial services provider considering whether to bid, contact Thornton & Lowe today. We can quickly assess whether RM6383 aligns with your capabilities and what a competitive submission requires.
What makes this an open framework?
Payment Solutions 3 is let under the Procurement Act 2023 as an open framework: a new vehicle introduced by the Act. Unlike a traditional framework, an open framework allows new suppliers to join at set intervals during the life of the agreement, not just at the point of initial award. This makes it more accessible and dynamic than its predecessor, and means suppliers who miss the initial window may still have future entry points.
For the purposes of this initial procurement exercise, however, the submission deadline of 8 May 2026 applies. Suppliers wishing to be considered from go-live in October 2026 should submit by this date.
Framework structure: three lots
RM6383 is structured across three lots:
- Lot 1 – Commercial Cards and Digital Payments: The largest lot by value, estimated at approximately £13.2 billion (including VAT). A multi-supplier lot for commercial card products accessible to UK central government and wider public sector organisations. Lot 1 customers benefit from annual rebates based on spend and guaranteed supplier payment within three working days under the government's prompt payment policy.
- Lot 2 – Prepaid Cards: Estimated at approximately £2.4 billion (including VAT). Multi-supplier provision of prepaid card solutions for central government and wider public sector use.
- Lot 3 – Vouchers: Covers voucher solutions for public sector buyers. Value not separately stated in current notices.
Suppliers may bid for one or more lots. Given the scale of Lot 1, it will attract the most competition, but Lots 2 and 3 also represent substantial commercial opportunities for specialist providers.
Key facts
- Agreement reference: RM6383 (Payment Solutions 3)
- Authority: Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly CCS)
- Type: Open framework agreement (Procurement Act 2023)
- Total value: Up to £16,200,000,000 including VAT
- Lots: 3 (Commercial Cards & Digital Payments; Prepaid Cards; Vouchers)
- Geographic scope: UK, Europe, international
- Framework dates: 1 October 2026 to 1 October 2030
- Submission deadline: 8 May 2026
What bidders should focus on
- Cyber Essentials Plus is mandatory: The procurement explicitly requires Cyber Essentials Plus certification. If you are not yet certified, begin the process immediately; it typically takes six to twelve weeks and may require technical changes to your systems.
- Carbon Reduction Plan required: Suppliers must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan in line with PPN 06/21, including baseline emissions data and clear reduction targets.
- Know the Procurement Act 2023 context: This is one of the first major open framework procurements run under the new Act. Familiarise yourself with how the open framework model differs from traditional frameworks, particularly around future entry points and compliance obligations.
- Articulate scalability and security: Given the public sector client base and international scope of Lot 1, buyers need confidence in your ability to manage volume, currency compatibility, and data security at scale.
- Review the full ITT documentation: The GCA's requirements for each lot will differ. Do not assume that meeting Lot 1 requirements automatically qualifies you for Lots 2 or 3; review each specification carefully.
Full documentation is available via the official Find a Tender notice, and further details are published on the GCA agreements page.
Bidding for Payment Solutions 3?
Thornton & Lowe has experience supporting fintech and financial services providers through complex, high-value public sector framework bids. Contact us for an honest assessment of your position and targeted bid support.
