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Think of a framework as a members' club for future jobs. You bid hard once to get in, then you compete (or sometimes get picked) for individual jobs over several years.
1. What a framework actually is
Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, a framework agreement is:
- An umbrella agreement between one or more public bodies (councils, housing associations, NHS, schools etc.) and one or more suppliers.
- It sets the terms for future jobs over a period -- things like prices, quality standards, and how call-offs will work.
- It usually runs for up to 4 years for works, unless there's a good reason to go longer.
Important: the framework itself is not a promise of work. It's a ticket that lets you bid for, or be awarded, jobs inside the framework.
2. Why public bodies use frameworks
Public buyers lean on frameworks because they:
- Avoid running full OJEU/PCR-level tenders every time they need a roof fixing or a school refurb.
- Lock in standard terms, pricing models and compliance checks for a few years.
- Let different departments (housing, schools, highways) call off work quickly from the same supplier list.
- Can build lots by trade, area and value band -- so they can use the right size contractor for each job.
For you, that means once you're onto the right framework, the admin per job drops and it's easier to build a relationship with that buyer.
3. How frameworks are structured (lots, value bands, regions)
Most construction frameworks are chopped up like this:
- By trade -- e.g. general building, voids, roofing, M&E, adaptations, civils.
- By region -- e.g. "West Midlands", "South West", "North".
- By value -- small works (e.g. up to £50k), medium (up to £500k), large (£500k+).
You usually bid for specific lots -- for example:
"Lot 3: General building -- £0-£100k -- Herefordshire/Shropshire"
If you get onto that lot, you can then be invited to mini-competitions or direct awards for jobs that fit that trade/area/value.
4. How call-off (actual jobs) works
Once the framework is in place, the buyer has two main ways to give out work:
Direct award
They pick one supplier from the framework (often based on who scored best originally, or who fits the job best) and offer them the job at the agreed rates. Used when the framework already fixes most terms and there's a clear "best fit".
Mini-competition (mini-tender)
They invite all or some framework suppliers on that lot to submit a short bid for that specific job.
- You price the works (often on a standard pricing schedule) and answer a few job-specific quality questions.
- Award is decided using the same type of criteria set out in the original framework documents -- they can't just invent new rules halfway through.
Either way, the admin is much lighter than a full EU-style tender: a lot of the standard questions are already dealt with at the framework stage.
5. Framework vs DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System)
You'll also see DPS mentioned in the same breath:
- A framework is a closed club -- once it's established, you generally can't join until the next round.
- A DPS stays open -- suppliers can apply to join at any time if they meet the criteria, and buyers run competitions among whoever is admitted.
For small contractors, DPS set up for minor works (repairs, small refurbs) can be easier to get onto and can feed a steady stream of mini tenders.
6. Why frameworks matter for small construction firms
Frameworks are one of the main ways public bodies buy construction in 2026 -- billions of pounds each year now flow through them.
Benefits for you if you pick the right ones:
- You don't have to rebuild your whole company pitch every job -- policies and evidence are reused.
- It's easier to grow gradually: start on low-value lots, prove yourself, then move up.
- Once you're on, you're in the conversation for every relevant job in that area/trade.
- You can build a long-term relationship with the client's framework managers, not just one-off tender teams.
The flip side: the front-end bid can be heavy -- PQQ-style questions, case studies, policies, financial checks.
7. Picking the right frameworks (don't chase everything)
Don't just Google "framework" and fire off bids at random. Narrow it down:
- By geography -- realistic travel radius for your team.
- By trade -- look for lots that match what you actually do (minor works, voids, adaptations, small refurbs, roofing, M&E etc.).
- By value band -- start on small-works lots (£0-£50k, £0-£100k) where SMEs are expected.
- By client type -- local councils, housing associations, NHS trusts, education frameworks -- pick where you see a future pipeline.
Use framework providers' sites (LHC/SWPA, National Framework Partnership, regional consortia) to see current and upcoming frameworks and read the lot scopes properly.
8. What you need in place to get onto a framework
Most public frameworks will hammer the same checklist:
- Financials -- 2-3 years' accounts or management info, sensible ratios, no scary CCJs.
- Insurances -- public liability, employers' liability, and often professional indemnity (if any design/temporary works).
- Health & safety -- policy, risk assessments, method statements, possibly SSIP (CHAS, Constructionline etc.).
- Quality and environment -- basic policies and examples (you don't need ISO 9001 to start, but you do need something credible).
- Experience -- a handful of relevant case studies at similar size and type.
- References -- from previous clients.
If you've already done the work for PQQs and tendering basics (8.9), you're halfway there -- frameworks just bundle that effort into one bigger "front-end" push.
9. How to actually win a place (not just bid)
When you see a framework you like the look of:
- Read the lot scope properly -- make sure your typical jobs fit what they're asking for.
- Attend any bidder days or webinars -- that's where they explain what they really care about.
- Answer the quality questions like a grown-up contractor:
- Show real method statements, not generic fluff.
- Use specific past jobs, with outcomes and lessons learned.
- Hit their scoring grid point-by-point.
- Price sensibly -- frameworks often ask for schedule of rates or % adjustments:
- Don't lowball yourself into unprofitable work for 4 years.
- Remember you still have to pay staff properly, run vans, comply with H&S, fix defects, and make a margin.
A lot of frameworks are scored 60/40 or 70/30 on quality/price -- so it's not just a race to the bottom.
10. Common mistakes
- Chasing random national frameworks you've no realistic way of servicing.
- Ignoring minimum financial thresholds or required turnover and bidding anyway.
- Submitting generic answers that don't mention the client, the lot or your local knowledge.
- Treating it like a one-off job tender, not a long-term partnership -- buyers want to see you're in it for the duration.
Better to go hard at 1-2 frameworks that genuinely fit you than half-arse 10 of them.
11. Who to contact
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Regulation 33 -- legal definition and rules for framework agreements: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/regulation/33 (free)
- Contracts Finder -- search for live public sector opportunities and framework notices: gov.uk/contracts-finder (free)
- Find a Tender -- UK e-notification service replacing OJEU for above-threshold opportunities: find-tender.service.gov.uk (free)
- Constructionline -- pre-qualification and supplier database used by many public buyers: constructionline.co.uk
- CHAS -- SSIP health and safety accreditation accepted on most frameworks: chas.co.uk
- LHC / SWPA -- regional framework providers for housing and public buildings
- National Framework Partnership -- consortia frameworks for minor works and DPS
- Your local council procurement portal -- search "[council name] procurement" or "[council name] supplier registration"
12. Sources and legislation
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015 -- Regulation 33 (framework agreements), Regulation 34 (dynamic purchasing systems). legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102
- Procurement Act 2023 -- new procurement regime replacing PCR 2015 (phased implementation from 2024-2026, check current status). legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54
- Cabinet Office procurement guidance -- gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-policy-notes
- Crown Commercial Service -- guidance on framework use and call-off procedures: crowncommercial.gov.uk
13. Related guides on this site
- 8.9 Tendering basics -- PQQs, ITTs, framework agreements
- 8.7 Terms and conditions template -- commercial subcontracting
- 8.10 Taking on your first employee -- legal checklist
- 8.11 Health and safety policy -- when you need a written one
- 6.1 Public liability insurance
- 6.3 Professional indemnity insurance
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