Aspire Academy Trust - Provision of HR and Payroll System

Aspire Academy Trust is seeking a provider for an integrated Human Resources and Payroll system under solicitation ASP01.61. The objective is to establish a single, authoritative dataset to manage workforce administration and payroll across multiple academies, ensuring compliance with HMRC, Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and Local Government Pension Scheme regulations. The contract, with an estimated value of 450,000 pounds excluding VAT, is slated for an initial three-year term from June 1, 2027, to May 31, 2030, with the possibility of three additional one-year extensions. The solution must be scalable to accommodate new schools and additional modules, and the provider must maintain ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications or equivalent standards. The award will be based on an open procedure using a weighted scoring system, with 35 percent allocated to software functionality and 25 percent to quality questions. Financial stability is a critical requirement, necessitating a credit check, a target gearing ratio of approximately 2:1, and no history of bankruptcy or outstanding CCJs. Implementation costs will be paid in four equal 25 percent installments tied to contract signature, build completion, testing, and one month post-go-live, while ongoing costs will be invoiced monthly in arrears. Required insurance cover includes 5 million pounds for employer's and public liability, and 1 million pounds each for professional indemnity, product liability, and cyber and data protection. Tenders must be submitted electronically by November 27, 2026.