Student Loans Company commercial pipeline data: 2022 to 2023 · first published 5 October 2022
The Student Loans Company (SLC) has released its commercial pipeline for the 2022–23 financial year, listing three contracts it expects to procure. The contracts cover contact centre services (£60m), total facilities management across its Darlington and Glasgow sites (£13.75m), and a Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement (£10m). All three are planned to be sourced via Further Competition under an existing framework agreement — meaning SLC will invite bids from suppliers already on a framework rather than running a fully open tender. Small businesses on relevant frameworks should watch for call-off competitions from SLC. Those not yet on applicable frameworks should check eligibility and apply at the next opportunity.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
Pipeline publications like this are early-warning signals — they tell you which frameworks to be on before the competition opens. The total facilities management contract (£13.75m, Darlington and Glasgow) is the most accessible for regionally based SMEs already on a facilities management framework. The contact centre contract (£60m) is large but may offer subcontracting routes for specialist SMEs. The Microsoft licensing contract is typically a reseller or large-vendor play, with limited direct SME opportunity.
1. Identify which framework(s) SLC uses for facilities management procurement and check whether your business is eligible to apply or is already listed — the £13.75m Total Facilities Management contract will be competed via Further Competition from that framework.
SMEs providing facilities management services, based near or willing to serve Darlington or Glasgow — The pipeline states the contract will be sourced via 'FW - Further Competition', meaning only framework-listed suppliers will be invited to bid. Darlington and Glasgow site coverage is explicitly named.
2. Identify the relevant government framework for contact centre services and ensure your firm is listed ahead of the competition window opening around March 2024; if not eligible directly, explore subcontracting opportunities with prime bidders.
SMEs providing contact centre or outsourced customer services — The £60m contact centre contract is sourced via Further Competition from a framework — direct bids will only be possible for framework members, but subcontracting routes may exist.
3. Note the Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement (£10m, commencing May 2025) and check whether your firm is on the relevant framework as a Microsoft reseller or aggregator; engage SLC's commercial team early if you are.
Microsoft licensing resellers and IT procurement SMEs — The contract is a volume licensing play sourced via Further Competition — framework position is essential and early relationship-building may support your bid.
4. Monitor SLC's procurement notices on Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder for call-off competition notices that will follow this pipeline; set up alerts now using 'Student Loans Company' as a buyer keyword.
All SMEs interested in SLC contracts — This pipeline gives estimated dates, not live tenders — the actual competitions will be published separately and require prompt response.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
SLC plans to procure Contact Centre Services with an estimated contract value of £60,000,000, starting around March 2024 and commencing 30 March 2025, for a 48-month term. (Student Loans Company — Contact Centre Services contract)
“Contact Centre Services | £60,000,000.00 | 03/2024 | 30/03/2025 | FW - Further Competition | 48”
SLC plans to procure Total Facilities Management (hard and soft FM across Darlington and Glasgow sites) with an estimated value of £13,750,000, starting June 2023 and commencing 28 February 2024, for a 48-month term. (Student Loans Company — Total Facilities Management contract (ref: 2022-TR-0121))
“Hard and Soft Facilities Management Services across our Darlington and Glasgow sites | £13,750,000.00 | 06/2023 | 28/02/2024 | FW - Further Competition | 48”
SLC plans to procure a Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement (cloud services and software licences) with an estimated value of £10,000,000, starting November 2024 and commencing 31 May 2025, for a 36-month term. (Student Loans Company — Microsoft Enterprise Subscription Agreement contract)
“Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is a volume licensing program that allows the purchase of Microsoft Cloud Services and Software Licences under one agreement | £10,000,000.00 | 11/2024 | 31/05/2025 | FW - Further Competition | 36”
All three contracts are planned to be sourced via Further Competition under a framework agreement (FW - Further Competition), not open tender. (All three SLC contracts listed in the 2022–23 pipeline)
“FW - Further Competition”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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