Public sector procurement frameworks, like G-Cloud 14, are the backbone of the UK government’s supplier contracting ecosystem, facilitating billions of pounds for goods and services annually.
For suppliers, these frameworks offer a variety of opportunities by providing structured routes to market. However, these routes can be complex and don’t necessarily guarantee success.
This blog is an essential resource for understanding:
Over 1,000 live frameworks are currently listed on the Stotles platform. To discover which frameworks your competitors are using and to begin building a diverse public sector sales strategy for 2025, click here to set up a free Stotles account.
Procurement frameworks, or “umbrella” agreements, are structured and established agreements between public sector organisations and pre-approved suppliers that streamline the procurement process. Independent buyers or central purchasing bodies, such as the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), can manage these agreements.
Rather than issuing individual tenders for every purchase, buyers can use frameworks to access a pool of vetted suppliers who meet specific standards and pricing agreements.
Contracts are then awarded to a supplier directly through a simplified “call-off,” which is the terminology used to award contracts via frameworks or through further competition, where only suppliers on the framework can compete.
Frameworks can cover various categories, such as technology, construction, or consultancy services, and often last several years. For example, G-Cloud 14, a framework for purchasing cloud-based computing services, will last at least 18 months and a maximum of two years.
Frameworks represent a powerful route to market for suppliers seeking to engage with the public sector.
According to Crown Commercial Services, £7.31 billion was spent by public sector buyers through their G-Cloud 12 framework, while £2.43 billion was spent through their Digital Outcomes and Services 5 (DOS 5) framework. While these two frameworks are no longer active, their next iterations, G-Cloud 14 and Digital Outcomes 6, are live. Read our Digital Outcomes 6 analysis here.
Suppliers can expand their reach, drive growth, and contribute to the public sector’s evolving needs by joining and actively engaging with frameworks.
While the Procurement Act 2023 will introduce new updates to joining procurement frameworks, in general, suppliers aiming to be listed on a framework must apply within the timeframe allocated for new submissions and prepare various documents outlining their eligibility and suitability to participate.
For example, for G-Cloud 14, suppliers had to first create an account on the Digital Marketplace to apply and by submitting, at minimum an accurate pricing document, clear terms and conditions related to their offering, and a service definition document. In addition, other optional documents can be included to improve a supplier's chances of being awarded a place on the framework.
Getting on procurement frameworks can be complicated and timely for many suppliers. This is particularly true for small-medium businesses (SMEs). In addition, just being on a framework does not guarantee an award.
See our report “How to use G-Cloud 14 to your advantage” for more information and ideas on how to get the most out of frameworks.
Success through frameworks often depends on proactive engagement, such as monitoring opportunities, building buyer relationships, and tailoring responses to mini-competitions. Luckily, a lot of data is available, so the companies that use data usually gain the upper hand.
Based on an analysis of 5 years of IT-related contracts published publicly and procured through frameworks, we identified five reasons suppliers should strongly consider frameworks in their public sector sales strategy. Procurement frameworks provide:
For further information on frameworks available to suppliers in sectors such as healthcare, construction, and facilities management, and to view a complete list of awarded call-offs, as well as the partners, competitors, and buyers involved with the framework, click here to set up a free account and begin exploring.
The Procurement Act is the most significant reform in UK public procurement in a decade, impacting public sector procurement in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (and some Scottish authorities). It will come into effect on February 27th, 2025.
Following Brexit, the UK gained complete control over procurement regulation, using this opportunity to simplify processes, address inefficiencies, and improve access to new suppliers. Some sectors, such as utilities, defence, security, and healthcare, have specific exemptions.
The goal of the Procurement Act is to:
For more information on how to be ready for the transition to the Procurement Act and last-minute strategies for securing contracts before the 24th of February, read our Procurement Act go-live playbook here.
While many nuanced changes will affect the entirety of the UK public sector procurement ecosystem, part 3, chapter 4 of the Procurement Act introduces significant changes to frameworks in 2025, ensuring greater transparency, competition, and flexibility.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the key changes:
With over 1,000 live frameworks facilitating the procurement of the most valuable public sector contracts, suppliers must proactively engage the most relevant frameworks, leverage data-driven insights, and align with the evolving procurement landscape shaped by the Procurement Act 2023.
To ensure your business is positioned for success:
Success in public sector procurement is about more than just access—it’s about execution. With Stotles, you can track key framework opportunities, monitor expiring contracts, and gain intelligence on buyer behaviour.
For more information on setting your company up for success in 2025, contact one of our expert team members to discuss the best strategy for winning public sector contracts. You can also book a demo with one of our team members.
