What Is the Public Sector Software Solutions Framework?
The Public Sector Software Solutions framework (PSSS) is a new pan-government collaborative agreement being developed by the Crown Commercial Service. It is designed to become the primary route to market for software procurement across the entire UK public sector.
Valued at up to £12 billion over four years, RM6396 will consolidate existing CCS software buying routes into a single, flexible framework – making it easier, faster and more cost-effective for public sector organisations to buy the software they need.
The framework is being established under the Procurement Act 2023, which means it will take advantage of new commercial flexibilities not available to previous frameworks.
In the recent Market Engagement Event on 25th March, CCS stated that their headline objectives for the framework are:
- Reevaluate CCS’ portfolio of commercial agreements offering software (including SaaS), assessing and developing framework strategy and T&Cs standardisation
- Support strategic procurement initiatives, such as centralised buying, aligning with government priorities for more efficient public spending
- Simplify the procurement process for innovative software solutions, utilising the flexibilities of new Procurement Legislation
CCS is taking a phased approach to execute these objectives, so that there’s minimal disruption for buyers and suppliers. PSSS represents the first phase, and continual development of future phases will be undertaken during PSSS framework duration.
Who Is It For?
Public Sector Software Solutions is available to all UK public sector organisations, including:
- Central government departments and arm’s length bodies
- Local authorities
- NHS and healthcare organisations
- Police, fire and rescue services
- Education institutions
- Devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
In short: if your organisation is part of the UK public sector and buys software, this framework is for you.
What Types of Software Does It Cover?
The framework is designed to support procurement of a wide range of software, including:
- Software as a Service (SaaS) – cloud-based software accessed via subscription
- On-premise software – software installed and run on your organisation’s own infrastructure
- Hybrid deployments – a combination of cloud and on-premise solutions
- Enterprise software – large-scale systems used across an organisation
- Specialist and vertical software – sector-specific tools tailored to areas like health, education, or local government
- AI-powered solutions – software incorporating artificial intelligence and automation
What Are the Lots on PSSS?
The lot structure for RM6396 has not yet been finalised. CCS is still in active market and stakeholder engagement, with procurement documentation being drafted through to Summer 2026.
The proposed Lot structure which CCS shared at the Market Engagement Event is:
- Lot 1 – Enterprise Software
- Lot 2 – Data, Analytics and AI
- Lot 3 – Business Applications and Citizen’s Services
- Lot 4 – Education, Health and Social Care Solutions
- Lot 5 – Housing, Environmental and Planning Solutions
- Lot 6 – Blue Light Solutions
The final Lot structure will be confirmed when the formal Find a Tender (FTS) notice is published, expected during Summer 2026.
You can find the breakdown of each Lot at the bottom of this page, as shared at the Market Engagement Event.
Market Engagement Event for PSSS
The Market Engagement Event for Public Sector Software Solutions was held on 25th March 2026.
Advice Cloud has taken the key headlines and insights from the Market Engagement Event and we’re running a webinar to help guide you through the framework details available to date.
Key Benefits of Using RM6396
For Buyers
- A single, compliant route to market – instead of navigating multiple frameworks, RM6396 brings everything under one agreement – reducing procurement complexity and administrative burden.
- Access to a wide supplier base – the framework will provide access to a broad range of suppliers, including large enterprise vendors and SMEs, through both direct award and further competition.
- Collective buying (aggregation) – one of the standout features of RM6396 is the ability for public sector organisations to aggregate their purchasing – buying together to achieve better pricing and terms. This is sometimes called centralised buying.
- Access to innovation – the framework is explicitly designed to support access to the latest software technology, including AI and automation solutions — aligned with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.
- Built under the Procurement Act 2023 – PSSS is one of the first major frameworks to be fully established under the Procurement Act 2023. This means greater commercial flexibility, improved transparency and more modern contract terms.
For Suppliers
- A high-value opportunity – at up to £12 billion, RM6396 represents a major commercial opportunity for software suppliers of all sizes.
- Access to the entire UK public sector – a place on the framework provides a compliant route to sell to thousands of public sector buyers – from central government to local councils to NHS trusts.
- Stronger SME participation – CCS has signalled clear intent to ensure that smaller and specialist suppliers can participate effectively – making this a genuine opportunity for SMEs, not just enterprise vendors.
How Can Advice Cloud Help?
Whether you are a public sector buyer looking to understand your options, or a supplier planning your bid strategy, Advice Cloud can help you navigate PSSS with confidence.
We support suppliers with framework applications, bid writing and procurement strategy – and help buyers identify the right route to market for their requirements.
Book in with us for a free chat about how we can help you with the Public Sector Software Solutions framework.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does RM6396 stand for?
RM6396 is the reference number assigned by the Crown Commercial Service to the Public Sector Software Solutions framework. CCS uses reference numbers to identify each of its agreements.
When will Public Sector Software Solutions go live?
The framework is expected to be awarded in Winter 2027, following the publication of the formal tender notice in Summer 2026.
Can any public sector organisation use PSSS?
Yes. RM6396 is a pan-government collaborative agreement, meaning it is open to all UK public sector organisations – including central government, local authorities, NHS bodies, police, fire, education, and devolved administrations.
Can SMEs bid for a place on PSSS?
Yes. CCS has specifically indicated that the framework is designed to enable SME participation. The lot structure and entry requirements are being designed with this in mind.
What is the value of the Public Sector Software Solutions framework?
The framework is estimated to be worth up to £12 billion over four years, making it one of the largest software procurement frameworks in UK public sector history.
What software can be purchased through PSSS?
The framework will cover SaaS, on-premise, and hybrid software solutions, including enterprise software, specialist vertical applications, and AI-powered tools.
How is RM6396 different from previous software frameworks?
RM6396 is being established under the Procurement Act 2023, giving it access to new commercial flexibilities. It also consolidates multiple existing buying routes into one agreement and introduces collective buying (aggregation) as a key feature.
What is aggregation and how does it work?
Aggregation (or collective buying) allows multiple public sector organisations to combine their purchasing requirements and buy software together – achieving economies of scale and better pricing than each organisation could secure individually.
When will the lots be confirmed?
The final Lot structure will be published when the formal Find a Tender notice is released, expected Summer 2026. CCS is still gathering market feedback to inform the design. The Lot structure shared by CCS at the Market Engagement Event is at the bottom of this page.
How do I prepare to bid as a supplier?
Start now. Review your current frameworks and assess any gaps. Ensure your technical capability, compliance documentation and case studies are up to date.
Book in for a free chat with Advice Cloud to discover how we can support you with applying to get onto the PSSS framework and bidding.
Lot details
At the Market Engagement Event in March 2026, CCS shared the proposed Lots for PSSS. We’ve broken down each Lot to share examples of the types of software included.
Lot 1 – Enterprise Software
Enterprise Resource Planning
- Core ERP
HR & Payroll
- Workforce
- Time Recording
- Learning
- Payroll
- Benefits
- Absence Management
- Talent
- Recruitment
- Training
Financial/Accounting
- Includes Budgets
- Expenses
- Revenue Management
- Asset Management
- Financials
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- General Ledger
- Tax
- Inventory
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
- eSourcing
- Procure to Pay
- Source to Pay
- Catalogues
- Contract Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Service Portal
Customer Relationship Management
- Teleservice
- Contact Management
- Sales Lead Management
- Forecasting
- Case Management
- Web Chat
Lot 2 – Data, Analytics and AI
Big Data Management
- Collection
- Storage
- Governance
- Organisation
- Quality assessment
- Control
- Virtualisation
- Administration
- Delivery
Data Mining, Risking and Science
- Anomaly detection
- Association
- Rule learning
- Clustering
- Classification
- Regression
- Summarisation
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Model
- Build
- Training
- Testing
- Deployment
- Monitoring
Applying AI within a big data environment to provide systems the ability to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
Reporting & Analytics
- Translate data into information and transform data and information into insights
- Analysis of data or statistics
- Data patterns towards effective decision making
- Visual representations of data sets
Search and Data Discovery
- Search through high volumes of data to retrieve the required terms and information, making data more accessible, such as extracting text from images
- Detect patterns and outliers by visually navigating data or applying guided advanced analytics
Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 – Sector specific solutions
Lot 3 – Business Applications, Solutions and Citizens Services
- Revenues and Benefits Solutions
- Cash receipting solutions
- Civil Enforcement solutions
- Other Business Application Solutions
- Library solutions
- Democratic and Citizen Engagement Systems
- Electoral Management Solutions
Lot 4 – Education, Health and Social Care Solutions
- Learning Applications
- Education, Academic Scheduling and Management Solutions
- Community Health and Social Care market specific solutions
- Social Care Case Management
- Enterprise Health Solutions
Lot 5 – Housing, Environment and Planning Solutions
- Environmental Solutions
- Planning Building Control
- Local Land Charges
- Regulatory Services
- Property, Housing Management
- Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions
- Waste Management Solutions
- Built Environment Solutions
Lot 6 – Blue Light Solutions
- Blue Light Operations
- Blue Light Data and Information Management
Last updated: March 2026. Information is based on publicly available CCS documentation and market engagement activity. Advice Cloud will update this article as new details are published.
