Buying routes
Framework agreement
An agreement with one or more suppliers that sets the terms for contracts (call-offs) awarded over its lifetime.
A framework doesn't usually guarantee work; it pre-approves suppliers and fixes the terms so buyers can award individual contracts — call-offs — quickly, either by direct award or a mini-competition between framework suppliers.
Getting onto the right framework can be a powerful route to public sector work, because buyers often prefer the speed and simplicity of calling off rather than running a full tender.
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