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    What Is a Framework Agreement?

    A framework agreement is a long-term arrangement between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that sets the terms for future contracts over a defined period.

    Definition

    A framework agreement establishes the terms (pricing, quality, delivery conditions) under which individual contracts or call-offs can be made during the agreement’s duration, typically 2–4 years. It streamlines procurement for recurring needs.

    How framework agreements work

    The contracting authority runs a competitive tender to select one or more suppliers for the framework. Once established, individual orders (call-offs) are placed against the framework without re-running a full procurement process each time.

    Single vs multi-supplier frameworks

    Single-supplier frameworks award all call-offs to one provider. Multi-supplier frameworks include several providers and may use mini-competitions or cascading (ranking) to allocate individual orders.

    Finding framework opportunities

    Framework agreement tenders are published on the same portals as regular tenders—TED for EU-threshold contracts, SAM.gov for US federal, and national portals for smaller values. Jorpex monitors all of these automatically.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long do framework agreements last?

    Framework agreements typically last 2-4 years. In the EU, the maximum duration under procurement directives is 4 years, with some exceptions.

    What is a call-off contract?

    A call-off contract is an individual order placed under a framework agreement. It allows the buyer to procure specific goods or services without running a new tender, using pre-agreed terms.

    Can SMEs join framework agreements?

    Yes. Many framework agreements are split into lots to encourage SME participation. Some frameworks are specifically designed for smaller suppliers.

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    Related resources

    Glossary

    What Is a Tender?

    A tender (also called a bid, proposal request, or solicitation) is a formal invitation from a buyer—typically a government agency—for suppliers to submit offers to provide goods, services, or works.

    Glossary

    TED — Tenders Electronic Daily

    TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the online supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, dedicated to public procurement notices.

    Glossary

    SAM.gov — System for Award Management

    SAM.gov is the US federal government’s official website for entity registration and contract opportunity discovery.

    Glossary

    Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) in Public Procurement

    A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is an electronic procurement process that allows new suppliers to join at any point during its operation — unlike traditional framework agreements, which are closed after the initial competition. DPS is increasingly popular in the EU and UK for commonly purchased goods and services.

    Guides

    UK Procurement Frameworks: G-Cloud, DOS & CCS Guide

    UK procurement frameworks channel over £33 billion in annual public spending through pre-approved supplier agreements managed by Crown Commercial Service (CCS). G-Cloud alone has processed £15 billion in cloud services since 2012, with annual spend reaching £2.9 billion in FY 2024/25. For technology suppliers, frameworks like G-Cloud 14, Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS), and Technology Services 4 represent the primary route into UK public sector contracts. This guide covers how frameworks work under the Procurement Act 2023, the major CCS frameworks to target, and how to monitor call-off opportunities.

    Further reading