Leicestershire County Council trading as ESPO, together with Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO), is conducting preliminary market engagement for 319_27 Staff Benefits. The proposed framework is valued at £220 million including VAT and will cover a range of staff benefit schemes offered to public sector employees through salary sacrifice, voluntary benefits or net payroll deduction.
This is not yet a live tender, but providers should act quickly if they want to contribute to the engagement process. The RFI response deadline is 10 July 2026 at 5:00pm, while the wider engagement deadline is listed as 21 August 2026. If you would like support assessing your fit, contact Thornton & Lowe for a practical review.
What the Framework Is Intended to Cover
The notice lists a wide range of CPV categories linked to staff benefits, including presents and rewards, computer equipment and supplies, mobile telephones, passenger cars, bicycles, financial leasing services, benefit services, child allowances and child daycare services.
For suppliers, this points to opportunities across salary sacrifice schemes, cycle-to-work, electric vehicle arrangements, technology benefits, voluntary benefits platforms, childcare-related benefits and payroll deduction services. The final scope, pricing model, rebate structure and framework operation will be shaped through market engagement.
Why ESPO and YPO Matter
ESPO and YPO are established public sector buying organisations with extensive reach across councils, education, emergency services and other public bodies. A jointly led framework gives employee benefits providers a route to a large and varied public sector employer base, with the credibility of recognised procurement organisations behind it.
Preparing for Engagement and Tender
- Respond to the RFI. ESPO is seeking feedback on market trends, regulatory and legislative updates, technology, scope, pricing, rebate structure, data controls, ease of use and framework appeal.
- Show payroll integration capability. Public sector employers vary in size, payroll systems and internal processes. Evidence how your platform or scheme handles that complexity.
- Evidence compliance. Salary sacrifice and payroll deduction schemes need strong governance, HMRC understanding, data controls and customer support.
- Prepare case studies. Comparable public sector benefit schemes, user volumes, uptake rates, employee outcomes and client references will be useful when the formal tender is issued.
Quick Facts
- Authority leads: Leicestershire County Council trading as ESPO, and Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation
- Estimated value: £183,333,333 excluding VAT; £220,000,000 including VAT
- Expected term: 7 August 2027 to 6 August 2029, with possible extension to 6 August 2031
- Stage: Preliminary market engagement
- Scope: Staff benefits through salary sacrifice, voluntary benefits and net payroll deduction
- Suitability: SMEs are specifically identified
Key Dates
- RFI response deadline: 10 July 2026 at 5:00pm
- Engagement deadline: 21 August 2026
- Notice: Find a Tender - 059713-2026
The 319_27 Staff Benefits framework could become a significant public sector route for employee benefits providers. Engaging now gives suppliers a chance to shape a framework that reflects how the market actually operates. Contact Thornton & Lowe for support, or read our guide to winning work through public sector frameworks.
