Employee Benefits and Services
Framework Description
Employee Benefits and Services (RM6273) is a framework, closed to new applications, run by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service) for staff benefit schemes across the public sector. It started on 26 May 2023 and, with its one-year extension already taken, ends on 25 May 2027 with no further extension available. It covers six lots, from a fully managed benefits platform to single schemes such as cycle to work and technology purchase. This framework is used by Crown Commercial and APUC.
Context & Use Case
Public sector employers buy through RM6273 when they want to offer staff benefits through a branded online platform, either as one managed service or as separate schemes bought lot by lot. Central government, arm's length bodies and wider public sector organisations all use it, including employers whose people work remotely or travel. There are no minimum or maximum contract value thresholds, so small employers and large departments can both run a call-off.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Managed service, including a branded benefits platform with discounts, green car and gym schemes Lot 2: Reward and recognition schemes Lot 3: Financial wellbeing schemes Lot 4: Cycle to work schemes Lot 5: Childcare and payroll giving schemes Lot 6: Technology and smartphone schemes
Lots
Lot 1: Managed Service; Lot 2: Reward and Recognition Scheme; Lot 3: Financial Wellbeing Scheme; Lot 4: Cycle to Work Scheme; Lot 5: Childcare / Payroll Giving Scheme; Lot 6: Technology and Smartphone Scheme
Who Can Apply
Membership is fixed, so benefits providers that are not already appointed cannot join RM6273 before it ends in May 2027. The successor is the realistic target for platform operators, salary sacrifice scheme providers and specialist SMEs. Every current supplier holds Cyber Essentials accreditation, so treat that as a baseline for the re-tender.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers can offer staff a full benefits package through one branded platform or add a single scheme, such as cycle to work, without a separate tender. With no value thresholds, a small arm's length body can use the same route as a large department. Suppliers already hold Cyber Essentials, which reassures buyers handling staff data.
Next Steps
With RM6273 closing on 25 May 2027, its replacement should reach market well before then. Watch the GCA agreement page and GCA's upcoming agreements for pipeline and market engagement news. Gather evidence now: platform uptake data, scheme savings delivered for employers, cyber accreditation and public sector case studies. Current suppliers should keep winning call-offs, as recent delivery will strengthen their successor bid.
How Athena Can Help
The re-tender of RM6273 is the next way into this market, so Athena would start preparing benefits providers now. Our bid writing and planning team builds win themes around scheme uptake, employee experience and value for employers, then checks every draft against the evaluation criteria.
If you are deciding which lots to target, our bid/no-bid decision tools help you commit effort where you can win. A 6–12 month framework pipeline plan keeps your policies, case studies and certificates ready for the successor's opening.
