PROCUREMENT FRAMEWORK & DPS
Streamlining your procurement process
At Inprova, we specialise in procurement frameworks that simplify the procurement process and ensure efficiency, compliance, and value for organisations across various sectors. Navigating procurement can be complex, but our structured frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) are designed to reduce administrative burdens, drive cost savings, and enhance social value.
With a focus on sustainability, our Asset Decarbonisation & Retrofit framework supports organisations in reducing carbon footprints. This includes energy-efficient upgrades, insulation improvements, and renewable energy solutions designed to align with environmental goals.
Our Asset Decarbonisation & Retrofit DPS offers a flexible procurement route for organisations seeking suppliers to support their sustainability strategies. This DPS ensures that procurement remains adaptable to evolving industry needs.
Our Business Solutions framework helps public sector organisations simplify everyday procurement. This includes office supplies, print and digital communications, workplace furniture, PPE, janitorial products, and digital tools all designed to streamline operations and deliver measurable savings.
Managing capital projects efficiently requires a structured approach. Our Capital Works & Associated Services DPS provides access to trusted suppliers for construction, infrastructure, and maintenance projects, ensuring quality service delivery.
Designed to simplify achieving regulatory compliance, our DPS ensures the seamless implementation of high-quality safety measures across your properties. It offers comprehensive solutions, including heating services, fire safety, asbestos management, electrical compliance, and more, with access to a wide range of national and regional suppliers.
Designed to simplify the complexities of regulatory compliance, our framework ensures seamless implementation of top-tier safety measures across your properties. It provides comprehensive compliance solutions, including asbestos management, damp and mould treatment and electrical compliance, giving access to a wide range of national and regional suppliers.
Our Construction framework provides access to multi-disciplinary consultancy services as well as major and minor construction works. This framework ensures compliance with public sector regulations, while delivering high-quality outcomes across non-residential projects, such as infrastructure development and building upgrades.
Designed to address rising energy costs and sustainability goals, this framework allows organisations to procure competitive energy contracts while optimising procurement strategies for efficiency.
This framework offers expert consultancy services tailored to fire safety compliance. It includes risk assessments, system design advice, and guidance on regulatory standards.
Ensuring fire safety compliance is essential for any organisation. Our Fire Safety Works and Services framework covers fire risk assessments, equipment maintenance, and fire safety system installations to maintain high safety standards.
The Funded Retrofit Works framework supports decarbonisation projects with flexible funding, experienced contractors, and expert guidance, ensuring compliance, social value, and operational efficiency for achieving net zero goals.
From boiler replacements to district heating systems, our Heating Solutions framework supports the procurement of energy-efficient heating systems tailored for a variety of different requirements.
Reliable access to quality materials is crucial for operational efficiency. Our Material Supply & Associated Services framework connects organisations with approved suppliers for construction materials, maintenance supplies, and specialist products.
This framework provides a compliant, flexible route to procure consultancy, major works and minor works – helping modernise estates, meet sustainability goals and manage projects with confidence.
Long-term asset management requires structured planning. Our Planned Works framework streamlines the procurement of refurbishment, renovation, and maintenance projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Finding the right talent is critical for any business. Our Recruitment and Associated Services framework facilitates efficient hiring solutions, covering permanent, temporary, and specialist recruitment needs.
Timely maintenance is essential to preserve assets and maintain compliance. Our Responsive Repairs, Voids & Associated Works framework ensures access to reliable contractors for repairs, property void management, and related services.
For organisations seeking flexible procurement options, our Responsive Repairs, Voids & Associated Works DPS provides a dynamic marketplace to procure maintenance and repair services efficiently.
Access to expert guidance enhances procurement decision-making. Our Technical Consultancy Support framework offers specialist advisory services covering procurement strategies, compliance guidance, and sector-specific insights.
Our Temporary Accommodation & Support Services framework ensures access to reliable providers for housing solutions for a wide range of temporary and long-term accommodation needs. This includes both accommodation provision and associated support services.
Sustainable waste disposal is a priority for organisations aiming to meet environmental targets. Our Waste Management Services framework enables efficient procurement of waste collection, recycling, and disposal solutions.
Sustainable waste disposal is a priority for organisations aiming to meet environmental targets. Our Waste Management Services framework enables efficient procurement of waste collection, recycling, and disposal solutions.
The role of procurement frameworks in efficient purchasing
Procurement Frameworks serve as pre-established agreements between buyers and suppliers, allowing organisations to procure goods, services, and works in a legally compliant and cost-effective manner. These frameworks eliminate the need for repeated tendering, saving time while ensuring value for money.
At Inprova, our frameworks and DPS solutions are designed to:
- Reduce procurement complexity through streamlined processes.
- Ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations.
- Give access to a wide range of suppliers, including national and regional ones, including SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and VCSEs (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises).
- Drive social value and sustainability.
- Deliver cost savings and efficiency gains.
Why choose Inprova?
Compliance with procurement regulations
Public sector procurement requires strict adherence to legal and regulatory standards. Our procurement frameworks are designed to ensure full compliance, reducing risks associated with non-compliant procurement practices.
Cost savings and value for money
Procurement is not just about compliance – it’s about driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Our framework provides pre-negotiated pricing structures that deliver financial savings while maintaining service quality. Our Quantum platform ensures that the agreed contracts drive value for money across your third-party spend across the lifecycle of your contracts.
Social Value and Sustainability
We prioritise procurement solutions that contribute to social value and sustainability objectives. Our framework incorporates supplier requirements for environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing, and community investment.
Streamlined and Time-Efficient Processes
By eliminating the need for multiple tenders, our Procurement Frameworks save valuable time and administrative effort, enabling organisations to focus on their core operations while securing the best procurement outcomes.
How to access our procurement frameworks and DPS solutions
Using our Procurement Frameworks is simple:
- Identify your requirements: Determine the goods, services, or works needed.
- Select the right framework or DPS: Choose from our wide range of pre-established agreements.
- Work with us to: Establish the best procurement options for you, either direct award or mini competition
- Engage with approved suppliers: Benefit from access to a trusted supplier network.
- Procure with confidence: Secure cost-effective, compliant, and high-quality solutions.
Our team is available to guide you through the process, ensuring that you maximise the benefits of our frameworks and DPS solutions.
Final thoughts on procurement frameworks and DPS solutions
Choosing the right procurement frameworks or DPS solutions ensures efficiency, compliance, and value in procurement processes. At Inprova, we provide structured options that empower organisations to achieve their procurement objectives with ease. Whatever your need, from asset decarbonisation and capital works to energy solutions and waste management services, our frameworks and DPS solutions offer the reliability and flexibility you need.
FAQS
What is a procurement framework in the UK?
A procurement framework in the UK is a legally compliant, pre-established agreement between one or more contracting authorities and one or more suppliers. It sets out the terms and conditions under which specific goods, services, or works can be procured over a defined period. In an environment where public sector procurement teams face growing pressure to deliver greater value, transparency, and impact, often with limited resources, a procurement framework acts as a ‘pre-approved’ list of suppliers. This allows UK public sector organisations to quickly and efficiently award contracts without the need for a full, lengthy tendering process each time.
Inprova specialises in developing and managing robust UK procurement frameworks that are ready-made for immediate use. Our frameworks provide instant access to a network of over 350+ pre-vetted suppliers, ensuring quality, compliance, and value from the outset. This structured approach simplifies the entire procurement lifecycle, allowing organisations to focus on project delivery rather than administrative burden.
How do UK procurement frameworks save time and money?
UK procurement frameworks are fundamentally designed to resolve the public sector’s core challenge: the balancing act between price, speed, compliance, and delivering social value. They save time and money by streamlining the entire purchasing process. The most significant saving comes from eliminating the need for repeated, full-scale tendering, which is crucial for keeping projects moving while delivering and maintaining your buildings and assets. Since the suppliers are already pre-vetted and the terms and conditions are pre-agreed, the time taken to award a contract is drastically reduced from months to mere weeks or even days.
Furthermore, cost savings are achieved through pre-negotiated pricing structures based on aggregated demand across multiple users. This collective buying power ensures that organisations benefit from economies of scale, delivering better value for money. Inprova enhances these savings through our advanced spend and contract management platform, Quantum, which provides contract assurance and spend insights to help you create value throughout the lifetime of your contracts. By using an Inprova procurement framework, organisations gain efficiency, reduce internal resource costs, and secure competitive pricing, ensuring every pound spent delivers maximum impact.
Which UK organisations can use procurement frameworks?
Procurement frameworks are primarily associated with the UK public sector, and are available to all UK registered Contracting Authorities and Public Bodies. This includes, but is not limited to, local authorities, NHS trusts, central government departments, schools, and universities. These organisations rely on frameworks to ensure their spending is compliant and achieves best value.
Inprova focuses exclusively on supporting the wider UK public sector, ensuring compliant and efficient procurement solutions for every stage of your project.
Are procurement frameworks legally compliant with UK rules?
Yes, a key benefit of using a well-managed procurement framework is the assurance of legal compliance with UK rules. For public sector bodies, all frameworks must be established in accordance with the relevant UK procurement regulations, which ensures the process is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory.
Inprova places strict adherence to legal and regulatory standards at the core of our service. Our procurement frameworks are meticulously structured to ensure full compliance, significantly reducing the risk of legal challenge or non-compliant procurement practices for the user. By utilising an Inprova framework, organisations can be confident that the groundwork for legal adherence has been thoroughly completed, allowing them to proceed with confidence and focus on achieving their project outcomes, ultimately providing better value for patients, residents, students, teachers, and emergency workers across the UK.
What’s the difference between a framework and a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)?
While both a procurement framework and a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) are compliant procurement tools, they differ significantly in their structure and flexibility. A traditional procurement framework is established with a fixed list of suppliers appointed at the start and runs for a fixed term, typically up to four years. This structure is best suited for stable, predictable requirements, with competition occurring at the initial tender stage and then via mini-competition. In contrast, a DPS operates as a more flexible, open-access system, often running for a longer or indefinite term. New suppliers can join the DPS at any point during its life, making it a ‘live marketplace’ ideal for fast-moving sectors or those with evolving needs, with competition being ongoing.
Inprova offers both solutions to meet diverse public sector needs. A traditional procurement framework is excellent for long-term, stable requirements, providing stability and certainty. Conversely, a DPS operates more like a ‘live marketplace,’ adding agility and innovation by allowing organisations to tap into emerging suppliers and fresh ideas whenever they arise, without compromising on compliance. The choice between a framework vs DPS depends on the specific need and the required level of flexibility.
Can UK frameworks help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?
Yes, UK procurement frameworks are a vital mechanism for supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to the UK economy and local service delivery. For public sector procurement teams facing pressure to increase transparency and deliver social value, frameworks provide a structured, simplified route for SMEs to access public contracts. The pre-vetting process significantly lowers the administrative barrier to entry for smaller businesses, which often lack the resources for lengthy, complex tendering processes. Furthermore, for maximum flexibility and to ensure all businesses are fully covered, Inprova also offers Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS), which provide an open-access, ‘live marketplace’ where SMEs can join at any time, further boosting their access to public sector opportunities.
Inprova actively designs its procurement frameworks to be accessible to a wide range of suppliers, including SMEs and VCSEs (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises). By facilitating their inclusion, our frameworks not only comply with the spirit of public procurement rules but also ensure that public authorities can tap into local expertise and innovation, ultimately providing better value and impact for the communities they serve.
Do UK frameworks guarantee value for money?
UK procurement frameworks are specifically designed to ensure and demonstrate value for money, which is a critical requirement for all public sector spending. They achieve this by leveraging the aggregated purchasing power of multiple public bodies to secure pre-negotiated, competitive pricing and terms. This eliminates the risk of poor value that can arise from isolated, one-off tendering.
However, a procurement framework alone does not guarantee value for money throughout the contract’s lifetime. This is where Inprova’s expert end-to-end service and technology become essential. Our support extends far beyond contract setup; our team provides the ongoing management required to ensure the contract delivers its full potential for the entire length of the agreement. Our advanced spend and contract management platform, Quantum, provides the necessary contract assurance and spend insights to monitor supplier performance, manage pricing, and track compliance. This continuous oversight ensures that the initial value secured through the framework is maintained and maximised over the entire contract period, helping public sector teams meet their mandate to deliver greater value with limited resources.
How do call-off contracts work under a framework?
A call-off contract is the mechanism by which a public authority procures specific goods, services, or works under the pre-agreed terms of a procurement framework. Once a framework is established, the public authority does not need to run a full tender. Instead, they ‘call off’ their specific requirement from the list of pre-vetted suppliers.
The process for a call-off contract is significantly faster and less resource-intensive than a full tender, which is a major benefit for time-constrained public sector teams. Depending on the framework’s rules, the call-off can be made directly to the highest-ranked supplier (direct award) or through a mini-competition (further competition) among the suppliers on the framework. This streamlined process ensures that public authorities can keep vital projects moving, from maintaining buildings to delivering essential services, without being bogged down by administrative complexity.
Can a UK public authority run a mini-competition within a framework?
Yes, a UK public authority can, and often must, run a mini-competition (also known as a further competition) within a procurement framework. The requirement to run a mini-competition is determined by the specific rules set out in the framework documentation and is typically necessary when the framework does not specify all the terms of the contract, such as the exact price or quantity.
Mini-competitions are a crucial tool for public sector procurement professionals. They allow the authority to refine their requirements and obtain the most economically advantageous tender for their specific needs, ensuring they meet their obligations for transparency and best value. While a mini-competition is still a competitive process, it is significantly faster and less complex than a full public tender, allowing the authority to balance the need for speed and compliance effectively.
How does a procurement framework support sustainability and social value goals?
A procurement framework is an increasingly powerful tool for achieving sustainability and social value goals, which are now central to the UK public sector’s mandate. For procurement teams facing the challenge of balancing price with broader societal impact, frameworks provide a structured way to embed these non-financial requirements into the purchasing process.
Inprova’s procurement frameworks are designed with purpose, incorporating supplier requirements for environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing, and community investment from the outset. By pre-vetting suppliers not just on cost and quality, but also on their commitment to social value, the public sector procurement framework ensures that every call-off contract contributes positively to the local community and the environment. This commitment helps public authorities deliver on their promise to provide better value for patients, students, teachers, and emergency workers, ensuring that public spending creates a lasting, positive legacy.