Payment Solutions 2
Framework Description
Payment Solutions 2 is a framework let by the Government Commercial Agency, formerly Crown Commercial Service, and listed in APUC's catalogue for Scottish universities and colleges. It covers payment solutions for public bodies. The term began on 1 November 2022 and ends on 31 October 2026 with no extension, so it is in its final weeks.
Context & Use Case
Finance teams in Scottish universities and colleges use it to buy payment solutions and related services without running their own tender. APUC lists it in its catalogue under the Government Commercial Agency reference RM6248, so members buy on the Government Commercial Agency's terms. With the framework ending on 31 October 2026, institutions using it will be planning how they move to a replacement arrangement.
Scope of Services
Payment solutions for public sector bodies Associated services, support and delivery Services as defined in the Government Commercial Agency's tender documents
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits banks and payment solution providers. Applications for this framework are closed, and it ends on 31 October 2026, so there is no route onto it. Providers should watch for any replacement procurement from the Government Commercial Agency.
Buyer Benefits
A national framework gives institutions pre-agreed terms with payment providers that have already passed a competitive tender, so they can set up or renew payment services without a full procurement. Buying through a framework that APUC lists also gives finance teams a compliant route that auditors recognise, and saves the time of a stand-alone tender.
Next Steps
With the end date on 31 October 2026, check the Government Commercial Agency's website for any successor to Payment Solutions 2 (RM6248) and its timetable. Appointed providers should agree transition plans with customers. Others should prepare evidence on service delivery, reporting and security for the next procurement.
How Athena Can Help
This framework is closing within weeks, so the opportunity is its successor. We give a quick bid/no-bid steer on the replacement and then provide end-to-end bid management: planning, writing to the evaluation criteria, pricing and a Bid Health Check.
We can also review your eligibility for other finance frameworks through our framework pipeline planning service. That plan shows which finance and payments frameworks are open now or due to open, and how buyers award work through them, so you can prepare the right evidence ahead of each deadline.
