Social Security Scotland has published a contract notice for its Social Program Management (SPM) Framework Agreement, a four-year, £80 million framework for development services linked to its Merative Cúram SPM business and technology platform. The tender is split into two lots and is being procured through an open procedure, with tenders due by 10 July 2026 at 12:00pm.
This is a specialist opportunity for IT service providers with proven organisational experience in Cúram platform design, configuration, integration and implementation. If you are considering a bid, contact Thornton & Lowe for a focused assessment of your fit, evidence and lot strategy.
What the Framework Covers
The framework will give Social Security Scotland access to suppliers who can support the development of its Cúram SPM platform. The notice sets out two lots:
- Lot 1 - SPM Projects: Small, medium and large-scale projects where the supplier is responsible for end-to-end delivery.
- Lot 2 - SPM Resources: Individual or team resources deployed to backfill staff or fulfil specific roles, while Social Security Scotland retains overall responsibility for service delivery.
Suppliers can bid for all lots, but each lot needs relevant evidence. The framework is expected to appoint up to 10 participants and will use both ranked call-off and mini competition mechanisms. Ranked call-offs can be used up to £1.5 million, while larger or selected requirements will be competed by mini competition.
Key Bid Requirements
This is not a generic IT framework. The notice requires proven organisational experience with the Merative Cúram platform, supported by recent examples. Suppliers must provide two different examples of Cúram or SPM services for each lot they bid for, and examples must be relevant to the lot, recent within the last three years and no more than 500 words each.
- Platform experience is central. Evidence should cover design, configuration, customisation, integration, testing and deployment, not just resource supply.
- Capability must be organisational. Social Security Scotland wants confidence that delivery is not dependent solely on individual personnel, but supported by knowledge, tooling and established delivery approaches.
- Insurance and financial checks matter. Requirements include a Dun & Bradstreet failure score of at least 40 and specified levels of employers' liability, public liability, professional indemnity, and cyber security and data protection insurance.
- Quality carries more weight than price. The award criteria are 60% quality and 40% price for both lots.
Quick Facts
- Contracting authority: Social Security Scotland
- Estimated value: £80,000,000 excluding VAT
- Term: 48 months
- Lots: Lot 1 - SPM Projects; Lot 2 - SPM Resources
- Maximum framework participants: 10
- Award criteria: 60% quality, 40% price
Key Dates
- Tender deadline: 10 July 2026 at 12:00pm
- Notice: Find a Tender - 058254-2026
The SPM Framework rewards suppliers with direct platform depth, disciplined delivery evidence and a clear lot strategy. For help assessing your suitability, building concise Cúram case studies and shaping your submission, speak to Thornton & Lowe. Our IT tenders support page may also help you prepare.
