Jisc Certificate Service Framework
Framework Description
The Jisc Certificate Service Framework is a single-supplier arrangement through which organisations buy digital certificates directly from DigiCert on Jisc-negotiated terms. DigiCert replaced GÉANT/Sectigo in January 2025. It covers SSL/TLS server, S/MIME email and code signing certificates, and nothing beyond digital certificates. It is a single lot and ends on 31 August 2027, with no extension.
Context & Use Case
Universities, colleges, schools and multi-academy trusts, research councils, NHS and social care bodies, local authorities and charities use it to secure websites and email and to sign software, without running their own certificate procurement. Because there is one supplier, organisations buy directly from DigiCert at sector-negotiated rates rather than through competition between providers.
Scope of Services
SSL/TLS server certificates S/MIME email certificates Code signing certificates Certificate lifecycle management
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Only DigiCert supplies through this framework, so other certificate authorities and resellers cannot join it. The opportunity is the replacement: with the term ending on 31 August 2027, a successor procurement is the next chance. Certificate authorities and resellers with education experience should prepare now.
Buyer Benefits
Institutions get a sector-wide certificate deal with agreed pricing, central administration and automation tools, which avoids gaps in cover when individual certificates lapse. A single national supplier also gives Jisc real buying power and every member the same support route.
Next Steps
With under a year of the term left, watch Jisc's certificate framework page and procurement announcements for the successor procurement, which may be announced well before 31 August 2027. Prepare evidence on automated issuance, lifecycle tooling, sector references and migration support, because moving members smoothly from the incumbent would matter to any challenger.
How Athena Can Help
A single-supplier award is all or nothing, so this re-procurement needs a sharp bid. Athena's public sector bidding advice helps you decide whether to bid alone or with a partner, and our bid managers build the response: win themes around migration and automation, a scored view of the incumbent, and pricing that is sustainable at sector scale.
Our framework search and registration service can also find other higher education technology frameworks to target.
