Transparency Notice for extension to Cabinet Office Call Off from Independent Shared Service Centre 2 (ISSC2 Framework)

The Cabinet Office intends to make a direct award to Shared Services Connected Limited to extend the Call-Off Contract under the ISSC2 Framework for up to 18 months, with an estimated period from May 1, 2027, to October 31, 2028. This extension, valued at 22,918,000 pounds excluding VAT, is designed to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of business-critical back-office operations, specifically encompassing human resources, finance and accounts, payroll, and procurement. These services are essential for maintaining operational continuity as the organization transitions to replacement providers under the Matrix programme. The decision to utilize a direct award is justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, citing significant technical constraints and a lack of viable competition for technical reasons. The Cabinet Office has determined that introducing an interim supplier would lead to severe technical incompatibility, substantial duplication of costs, and critical service disruptions. This transparency notice, posted on October 2, 2026, under solicitation number 2026/S 000-093554, formalizes the intent to maintain the current partnership to mitigate these risks during the transition phase.