Framework Agreements are setup by Contracting Authorities, notably Crown Commercial Services or organisations setup by Councils, to run and manage Framework Agreements to agree most of the terms of a purchasing requirement in advance of placing an order.
Suppliers submit tenders for a place on the Framework Agreements (which can cover almost any type of requirement in goods, services or works) and Councils that are listed customers on the Framework Agreements can procure their specific requirements from suppliers listed on the Framework Agreement.
Councils accessing Framework Agreement either use us to choose a supplier on the Framework Agreement that best meets their requirements based on objective conditions (‘Direct Award’) or we run a tendering process restricted to just the suppliers listed on the Framework Agreement (a ‘mini-competition); the Framework Agreement will specify which routes to market are available to Councils.
It is always open to Wealden, Rother and Hastings Councils to setup their own Framework Agreement if the need arises and to place an order on a Framework Agreement on which they are a listed Customer, if a particular Framework Agreement is identified as the best ‘route to market’ option for Councils. We will only access an Framework Agreement after all other tendering options have been reviewed.
If you are a supplier and are interested in finding out how you can become listed on a Framework Agreement, it is recommended you contact the following organisations:
Crown Commercial Services (CCS)
Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)