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The case for using framework Agreements

Before You Start

There are many benefits of using framework agreements and they are particularly suitable if you are considering purchasing energy, fleet, office solutions, travel, ICT, professional services, facilities management, construction or food. If you are purchasing any of these common goods or services, you should first contact the OGC Service Desk for information on Government’s current procurement strategy for that category and find out about what deals may be available to you in order to obtain Value for Money.

The use of a framework agreement can be an attractive option for a wide variety of procurement needs, ranging from frequent call offs for office supplies to multi-million pound procurements for ICT services.  That said, a framework agreement may not be the best commercial route for your procurement and you will need to consider whether it is the right approach in your specific circumstances.

In particular framework agreements are probably not a good match for:

  • Particularly complex or risky procurements- refer to OGC’s how to buy guide for complex procurements
  • PFI or PPP type arrangements
  • One-off procurements- where the product or service is not commonly found on framework agreements- e.g. specialist restoration of historically important architectural models.
  • Procurements which are looking for particularly novel solutions.
  • In underdeveloped markets where you may need to employ market development or market shaping activity.
  • In cases where the contract length would be longer than four years (e.g. particularly long term construction projects, or where a four year term is too short to deliver a viable return on investment).  

In such circumstances you’d probably be better off procuring a separate contract.

Framework agreements may have Disadvantages too.

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