What is a framework in procurement?

What is a framework?

In procurement, a framework is a long-term agreement between one or more buyers and one or more suppliers. It sets terms for future orders over a period of years. 

Frameworks help public and third sector buyers to procure goods and services from a list of pre-approved suppliers, with agreed terms and conditions and legal protections.

This streamlines purchasing for public sector buyers. Rather than having to draft a new contract each time they need to purchase goods and services, buyers can use the framework to make purchases over a period of years. This makes buying more efficient, predictable and cost-effective.

What can you buy through a framework?

There are tens of thousands of common goods and services available through Government Commercial Agency (GCA) frameworks, many of which were established under Crown Commercial Service (CCS). 

Goods include physical items such as:

• laptops
• police cars
• electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• building materials 

Services cover a wide range of functions, such as:

• legal advice
• digital experts
• construction project managers
• business travel solutions

Some frameworks include catalogues, which you can use for simple, everyday purchases such as office supplies. You can buy online for next day delivery, and you pay the price per item published in the catalogue.

How are suppliers chosen?

Suppliers bid to be awarded places on frameworks. Each framework is different, but as a general rule, suppliers have to show how they can provide the goods and services required and to an agreed standard. They may also need to explain how working with them will help you to generate social value, or meet carbon net zero targets.

GCA assesses the bids received from suppliers and awards places against the criteria listed in the framework’s documents.

The number of suppliers differs from framework to framework, depending on what is being offered. Some frameworks have only one supplier offering complex services, while others are designed to be open to thousands of potential bidders.

Once successful suppliers are awarded a place on an agreement, they can bid for work from public and third sector bodies who advertise tenders through that framework.

Many thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently have places on our GCA frameworks, alongside established, larger providers. We work to level the playing field for suppliers of all sizes.

Types of framework agreements

There are a few different types of framework agreements that are common in public procurement. This is because there are currently two different sets of procurement regulations in the UK:

• Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015) govern all frameworks that began development before 24 February 2025
• Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) governs all frameworks that began development on or after 24 February 2025

Framework agreements under PCR2015

Under PCR2015, the normal style of framework is a closed framework, which typically runs for a maximum of 4 years, or up to 8 years in certain circumstances. New suppliers or services cannot be added to a closed framework after it has started.

You can buy from a framework under PCR2015 using:

• direct award: when you place an order directly with the supplier that best meets your needs 
• further competition: when you invite suppliers to bid for your business, for instance if you have more complex buying needs
• aggregated eAuctions – bringing many public or third sector organisations together to bulk buy things like laptops, network connections, or energy

Framework agreements under PA23

PA23 continues to use closed frameworks, as well as introducing a new type of commercial agreement: open frameworks.

Open frameworks

Open frameworks are more flexible. They can run for a maximum of 8 years, and must open at least once during that time to allow new suppliers to join and existing suppliers to update their service offerings. 

There are two ways to buy from both open and closed frameworks under PA23:

• award without competition: when you place an order directly with a listed supplier
• award with competition: when you invite suppliers to bid for your business

Framework lots

Frameworks are often divided into ‘lots’ by product or service type, and sometimes by region. This means that suppliers offering certain kinds of specialist goods or services can bid to join the lot that best suits their offer. Sometimes there might be different lots for suppliers in different geographic locations.

Other types of commercial agreements

Frameworks are a type of commercial agreement. You can also choose to buy goods and services through other types of commercial agreements such as:

• Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS): DPSs are similar to frameworks, but allow suppliers to join and add new services at any point
• dynamic markets: dynamic markets replaced DPSs under PA23, offering similar benefits

Call-off contracts

A framework in itself is not a contract for purchases. The contract comes in when the specific details of a procurement, such as quantities and timelines, are finalised. This is known as a ‘call-off contract’.

A call-off contract is a template contract with many standard elements that all suppliers sign up to when joining a framework. Using call-off contracts can be much simpler than drafting individual contracts yourself.

You still have to develop and agree on the details of the contract to suit your circumstances, and then manage the supplier’s performance. In some situations you may need to get your own legal advice.

A framework does some heavy lifting for you and gives significant protection from commercial risks. However, even under a framework you are still a contracting body and must make your own assessments of risks, such as a supplier failing to fulfil their commitments.

When do frameworks end?

Once awarded, frameworks run for an agreed timeframe before ending. This is usually somewhere between 4 and 8 years.

After the framework ends, new contracts cannot be awarded, but existing call-off contracts can continue until they are fulfilled.

Every framework also has a top limit on the amount that the public sector can spend through it. This top limit will often be hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds. The top limit is published in the contract notice midway through the framework development process. 

If this limit is exceeded, the framework owner must run a new tender process, giving existing and new suppliers the chance to bid. However, the limit is usually set high enough that this is unlikely to happen within the framework’s planned lifespan.

Benefits of frameworks for public sector buyers

Frameworks offer public sector buyers several benefits:

• time and cost savings: save time and money by removing the need to run lengthy and expensive full tender processes for each procurement
• quality standards: buyers get peace of mind that suppliers are qualified and vetted, and can offer goods and services to an agreed standard
• legal compliance: frameworks are designed to comply with relevant procurement regulations and reduce the risk of legal challenges

Using a GCA framework means all you as a buyer need to do is follow the award process in the contract or in the customer guidance that we provide for all our frameworks. 

This gives you not only peace of mind that there’s a trusted partner looking after the framework and providing guidance along the way, but also provides further value to both you and the taxpayer.

Find out more

Ready to get started with frameworks? You can:

• view open frameworks offered by Government Commercial Agency
• read about how to buy through framework agreements
• learn how to become a supplier on a framework