Norfolk County Council, acting as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, has launched a four-year Pensions Administration Operational Support Service Framework. The estimated value is £130 million excluding VAT / £156 million including VAT, and the framework is designed so that a broad range of eligible public-sector pension schemes can use it.
The five lots create distinct routes for pensions administration providers, communications specialists, transformation consultancies, assurance and risk firms, and pension-technology suppliers. If your business is considering one or more of the framework lots, speak to Thornton & Lowe for an objective bid/no-bid review and practical support with the next steps.
The Five Lots
- Lot 1: Pensions Administration Operational Services
- Lot 2: Specialist Pensions Communications and Engagement Services
- Lot 3: Business Change and Transformation
- Lot 4: Independent Assurance, Risk and Internal Controls
- Lot 5: Enabling Pension Technology Services
Lot 1 includes operational administration support such as data interrogation and rectification, data-quality work, pensioner payroll, benefit calculations and temporary or ad-hoc administration support. The other lots extend the framework into communications, transformation, independent controls and enabling technology.
For suppliers targeting the consultancy-led lots, our professional services tendering guide provides useful wider context.
A Framework With Broad Public-Sector Reach
Although Norfolk County Council is the contracting authority, the framework is not intended only for the Norfolk Pension Fund. The procurement documentation provides for wider public-sector pension-scheme access. It is also a multi-provider framework with no stated maximum number of suppliers, which creates a more open route to appointment than frameworks with only a small number of places.
Unlimited supplier places do not mean a low bar for entry. Bidders still need to meet the participation requirements and demonstrate credible experience for the services in the lot or lots they select.
What Suppliers Should Focus On
- Bid by lot, not by corporate brochure. Tailor evidence to the specific operating, communications, change, assurance or technology outcomes required.
- Demonstrate pensions expertise. Show knowledge of public-sector pension administration and the controls, data and stakeholder environment relevant to your lot.
- Evidence capacity. For operational services in particular, be ready to explain mobilisation, resource management, backlog support and quality assurance.
- Make technology practical. For Lot 5, connect systems capability to administration outcomes, data quality, user experience and integration rather than relying on feature lists.
- Use measurable examples. Quantify improvements in accuracy, turnaround times, engagement, control effectiveness or transformation outcomes wherever possible.
Quick Facts
- Buyer: Norfolk County Council, as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund
- Estimated value: £130m excluding VAT / £156m including VAT
- Term: Four years
- Lots: Five
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
- Potential users: Eligible public-sector pension schemes
- Tender deadline: 30 September 2026
- View the official Find a Tender notice
Choose the Lot Where Your Evidence Is Strongest
The breadth of this framework is an advantage for specialist providers, but only if the response is tightly aligned to the chosen lot. Before drafting, decide where your track record is strongest and build the submission around outcomes that are directly relevant to that service.
Thornton & Lowe can provide bid planning, writing and independent review support for the live tender. Contact our bid team to discuss your submission before the September deadline.
