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Procurement can often feel complex and time-consuming. Regulations, supplier negotiations and lengthy tenders place pressure on even the most experienced teams. There is a more straightforward approach. Procurement frameworks make purchasing simpler, faster and more effective. For public sector organisations such as NHS trusts, universities and public authorities, frameworks provide a compliant route to market that saves time, reduces risk and supports sustainability. This article explains what procurement frameworks are, why they matter and how they can help your organisation achieve more with less effort.
A procurement framework, sometimes called a framework agreement, is a contract with a group of pre-approved suppliers. Each supplier has already been assessed for quality, compliance, financial stability and value. This removes the need to run a full tender each time goods or services are required. The legal and regulatory steps are already in place, giving buyers quick and compliant access to suppliers. It is best understood as a trusted marketplace, where every supplier has been checked before any purchase takes place. Public procurement in the UK represents around £300 billion a year, making frameworks a vital tool to manage spend responsibly and transparently.
Frameworks deliver practical benefits across compliance, cost and sustainability. The average total cost of a competitive procurement process (or competition) is £45,200, with £37,200 of those costs falling on the private firms tendering for contracts. The European average cost of a competitive process is £23,900, meaning that public sector procurement processes in the UK are 90 per cent more expensive than the EU mean. CEBR also studied the length of procurement processes. The UK public sector purchasing process was found to be one of the longest in Europe, a full 53 days longer than the EU average and some 20 days longer than the Italian process, the next longest.
Pedro Vaz Paulo, CEO of Gatewit, which commissioned the original research says, ‘Lengthy procurement processes tend to discriminate against smaller firms which can lack the required resources to commit staff to a time-consuming, and therefore expensive, procurement process.
‘Longer, more difficult processes dissuade some firms from submitting bids, meaning that the eventual winner comes from a smaller pool of bids which is less competitive. This is bad news for businesses and bad news for the public sector, which suffers from reduced competition as a result.’
Public procurement is tightly regulated. In the UK this was governed by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and now falls under the Procurement Act 2023. It replaces multiple previous pieces of procurement law, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, and Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 with a more unified system (effective 24 February 2025). The Act defines frameworks as “a contract between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that provides for the future award of contracts” under section 45(2), reflecting how frameworks are embedded in the new regime. Frameworks ensure every purchase follows these requirements. They also reduce risk. Without a framework, organisations may face legal disputes, financial penalties or reputational damage. With frameworks, procurement teams can move quickly while remaining compliant.
“Frameworks are not simply about speed, they are about risk management. For NHS trusts, education providers, emergency services and other government organisations , frameworks provide the transparency and assurance that auditors, regulators and taxpayers expect,” says Guy Stapleford, Head of Consultancy, at Inprova.
The Procurement Act 2023, places frameworks at the heart of the UK’s reformed procurement system. Public bodies will need to meet new standards of transparency and accountability, which frameworks help to deliver. In 2021, just over 20% of government procurement spend was awarded directly to SMEs
Frameworks allow organisations to combine demand and achieve stronger commercial terms. This collective buying power results in more competitive pricing. Gross spending on public sector procurement was £434 billion in 2024/25 across the UK. There was an increase of £19 billion or 5%, compared with the previous year, not adjusted for inflation.
Frameworks allow public sector organisations to pool demand, driving competitive pricing that would be hard to achieve in isolation. In addition running a compliant procurement can take 6 months+ and cost tens of thousands in staff time. A framework removes that duplication. Avoiding a single procurement challenge can save thousands in legal fees and months of disruption. There is also the non-financial considerations to take into account. Pre-agreed pricing shields public sector organisations such as the NHS, emergency services and education bodies from inflation volatility. With the faster onboarding achieved by using procurement frameworks, this results in faster delivery of front-line services. Procurement frameworks are also designed to assist with ensuring supplier resilience. As part of the vetting process, the suitability of the supplier to deliver, helps ensure there will be no failure mid-contract.
“Many organisations underestimate the indirect savings frameworks can deliver. It’s not just the headline rates, it’s the avoided legal costs, staff hours, and the speed of delivery that add up to very real value.” – Guy Stapleford, Head of Consultancy, Inprova.
The government’s Social Value Model, introduced in 2021, requires public bodies to embed social, environmental and economic benefits into procurement decisions. Since 2021, all central government contracts have included a mandatory minimum 10% weighting on social value criteria, reflecting how sustainability and community impact are now central to procurement decisions. Many frameworks are designed with these priorities in mind. Suppliers are increasingly assessed on social value criteria such as ethical labour practices, carbon reduction commitments and community impact. This gives organisations confidence that their spending supports wider ESG objectives.
“Sustainability is no longer an add-on. Frameworks now embed ESG principles into supplier selection, ensuring every purchase supports wider organisational goals,” adds Guy.
Frameworks usually follow a clear process:
This approach shortens procurement cycles, reduces administration and keeps organisations focused on outcomes rather than process.
Frameworks help NHS trusts reduce the administrative burden of complex tenders while ensuring compliance with strict regulations. They also support sustainability aims, for example by sourcing low-carbon medical supplies or socially responsible service providers.
“Frameworks give public sector buyers a clear, efficient and compliant route to market. For NHS trusts and universities, that means less time on process and more time focused on frontline priorities,” says Guy .
Universities and colleges often face fragmented procurement across different faculties and campuses. Frameworks provide a consistent and compliant structure that delivers better value for money while supporting social value objectives such as local job creation.
Public authorities and central government departments need transparent and auditable procurement routes. Frameworks provide this assurance while enabling access to competitive, pre-approved suppliers.
“Frameworks give public authorities confidence that every procurement decision is transparent, auditable, and efficient. They’re not just a route to market – they’re a route to assurance”, says Guy.
Practical tips for making the most of frameworks
Conclusion
Procurement frameworks provide public sector organisations with a smarter and more efficient way to buy the goods, services and works they need. They ensure compliance with in a changing regulatory regime , unlock cost savings and embed sustainability in everyday purchasing. From NHS trusts to universities and public authorities, frameworks offer structure, accountability and reassurance while freeing up time and resources for frontline services. Inprova specialises in helping public sector organisations get the most from procurement, whether that means achieving compliance, securing savings or delivering social value.
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