Public Sector Procurement Frameworks
Payroll, HR, and expense software, minus the months of tendering
A full tender can take months you don’t have. Cintra is on multiple public sector procurement frameworks, so the hard part’s already done. We‘ve been assessed, the terms are agreed, and you can often award to us directly. Whether you’re a local authority, NHS trust, government department, college, or school, we‘re here to help you find the right fit.
Approved supplier on
Already tendered and assessed
We've been assessed on quality, price, and compliance, so you don't have to start from scratch.
Terms agreed in advance
Terms are set at framework level, so there's less for you to negotiate.
Direct award on all three
If our service clearly meets your needs, you can award to us directly. No competition needed.
Which public sector procurement framework is right for you?
Education
Outsourced payroll and HR software, with procurement support if you need it.
Local authorities
All three are open to you, depending on what you're buying.
CPC FRAMEWORK
Payroll services through CPC Lot 2
Best for: Schools, academies, colleges, universities, and local authorities looking for outsourced payroll.
The Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is a not-for-profit buying organisation (and registered charity) that helps education and public sector bodies buy through compliant routes. Cintra holds a place on Lot 2: Payroll Services of the CPC HR, Payroll, and Employee Screening Services 2 framework.
- CPC members can use the framework free of charge.
- It's open to schools, academies, multi-academy trusts (MATs), colleges, universities, local authorities, and wider public sector organisations.
- The framework runs from 21 November 2026 to 20 November 2029, with the option of a further year.
- You can award to Cintra directly or run a further competition between Lot 2 suppliers, following the CPC framework user guide.
Lot 2 covers payroll only, so HR and screening services sit under different lots.
G-CLOUD 15
Cloud payroll, HR, and expense software on G-Cloud 15
Best for: Central government, the NHS, and police and fire services buying cloud payroll, HR, or expense software.
G-Cloud 15 is the UK government’s framework for buying cloud hosting, software, and support. With listings for both Cintra and Capture Expense, you can buy payroll and expense management through one route, and run them together in Cintra People.
- Cintra People is listed under Lot 2b: Software as a Service, covering cloud HR and payroll software with optional outsourced services.
- It's open to central government and arm's-length bodies, the NHS, local authorities, universities, devolved bodies, and police and fire services.
- Our pricing document, service definition, and terms are published on the Digital Marketplace, so you can review them before you buy.
- You can award directly after searching, shortlisting, and evaluating services (just keep a record of each step), or run a competitive call-off.
EVERYTHING ICT
A flexible route through Everything ICT
Best for: Schools, trusts, and housing associations, especially if you don’t have a procurement team.
Everything ICT is a Department for Education (DfE) approved framework for information and communications technology (ICT). It’s free to use, there’s no membership to join, and the Everything ICT team can run the procurement for you if you don’t have a procurement team of your own.
- Cintra is available in the Software category, which covers HR information systems (HRIS).
- It's open to schools and MATs, the NHS, local authorities, housing associations, police and fire services, government agencies, museums and libraries, and devolved administrations.
- You can award directly (once the Everything ICT team confirms the criteria are met), gather multiple quotes, or ask the team to run a mini-competition for you.
See Cintra in action
We’ll show you how Cintra handles public sector payroll, from TPS and LGPS contributions to backdated pay, and you tell us about your needs. Together, we’ll find the right setup (and the right framework) for your organisation.
Why public sector teams choose Cintra
Getting through procurement is only half the job. You also need payroll that’s right every time and a team that understands how the public sector works.
Payroll you can rely on
- Accuracy as standard: Cintra's payroll error rate is just 0.0027%, thanks to real-time data and variance checks.
- Award-winning service: Named CIPP Payroll Service Provider of the Year 2026.
- Public sector pensions, handled: Manage Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) banded contributions, and backdate pay, tax, NI, and pensions accurately.
- Real payroll experts on the phone: Every member of our support team is a qualified payroller, and we return every call within two hours.
- More than 40 years in UK payroll: We've been supporting payroll and HR teams for over four decades.
- Automated payroll calculations that reduce admin burden
Security and compliance as standard
- Accuracy as standard: Cintra's payroll error rate is just 0.0027%, thanks to real-time data and variance checks.
- Award-winning service: Named CIPP Payroll Service Provider of the Year 2026.
- Public sector pensions, handled: Manage Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) banded contributions, and backdate pay, tax, NI, and pensions accurately.
- Real payroll experts on the phone: Every member of our support team is a qualified payroller, and we return every call within two hours.
- More than 40 years in UK payroll: We've been supporting payroll and HR teams for over four decades.
- Automated payroll calculations that reduce admin burden
How to buy through a public sector procurement framework
Frameworks don’t replace your own checks, so you’ll still need internal approval, budget sign-off, and your usual data protection review. We’ll give you everything you need for it, from our security certifications to our service documents.
Award directly
If our service clearly meets your needs, you can award a contract to us directly by following the framework's own steps.
Run a further competition
Invite approved suppliers to respond to your requirements, then choose the best-value offer.
Ask us for help
We'll share the documents you need and talk you through each step, whichever route you choose.
Compare procurement frameworks
Each route suits different buyers, so here’s how they line up.
| Framework | Our brands | Lot | Who can buy | How to award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPC HR, Payroll, and Employee Screening Services 2 | Cintra | Lot 2: Payroll Services | CPC members across education and the wider public sector | Direct award or further competition |
| G-Cloud 15 | Cintra and Capture Expense | Lot 2b: Software as a Service | UK public sector organisations | Direct award or competitive call-off |
| Everything ICT | Cintra | Software category | Public sector organisations, including education and housing associations | Direct award, multiple quotes, or a mini-competition run by Everything ICT |
Frequently asked questions
What is a public sector procurement framework?
A public sector procurement framework is an agreement between a buying organisation and a group of suppliers who’ve already been through a competitive tender. Public sector buyers can then award contracts without running a full tender of their own.
Which frameworks is Cintra on?
Cintra is on the CPC HR, Payroll, and Employee Screening Services 2 framework (Lot 2: Payroll Services), G-Cloud 15, and Everything ICT.
Which framework should I use?
It depends on who you are and what you’re buying. G-Cloud 15 is the familiar route for central government, the NHS, and police and fire services buying cloud software. CPC suits education and public sector organisations looking for outsourced payroll from 21 November 2026. Everything ICT works well for schools, trusts, and housing associations, especially if you don’t have a procurement team. We’re happy to help you choose.
Can I buy expense software through a framework?
It depends on who you are and what you’re buying. G-Cloud 15 is the familiar route for central government, the NHS, and police and fire services buying cloud software. CPC suits education and public sector organisations looking for outsourced payroll from 21 November 2026. Everything ICT works well for schools, trusts, and housing associations, especially if you don’t have a procurement team. We’re happy to help you choose.
Can I buy Cintra's HR services through CPC?
Not through this framework. Cintra’s place is on Lot 2, which covers payroll services only, but we’re happy to talk you through other routes.
Do I need to run a full tender?
Usually not. All three frameworks allow direct award where a service clearly meets your needs, though you’ll still follow the framework’s process and your own approvals.
How long does implementation take?
It depends on your size and setup, and implementation can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. We’d suggest starting the conversation at least six months before you’d like to go live, so there’s plenty of time for setup, testing, and training. We’ll agree a clear plan with you at the start, so you know exactly what to expect and when.
Is my data secure?
Our customer-facing and production systems are hosted on AWS (London region), and Cintra holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISAE 3402 Type II, and Cyber Essentials Plus.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on the framework, the services you need, and the size of your organisation. Our sales team can talk you through the options.
Payroll, HR, and expenses, all in one system
Whichever framework you buy through, you’ll get software built in-house and backed by our own payroll and HR experts. Here’s how we can help.
Payroll
Software
Cloud payroll that handles RTI, PAYE, and TPS and LGPS contributions, with real-time calculations and variance checks.
HR
Software
Bring HR and payroll together in Cintra People, with self-service for leave, payslips, and personal details.
Expense
Management
Manage claims, mileage, and approvals with Capture Expense, available on G-Cloud 15.
Ready to buy through a framework?
Tell us who you are and what you need. We’ll point you to the right framework, share the paperwork, and help you get started sooner. Whether you’re ready to award directly or want to run a further competition, we’ll talk you through each step and share the documents you need for your internal approvals.