The complete guide to public sector procurement

Public sector procurement refers to when a public sector body purchases any goods, works, or services. A public sector contract can also be known as a tender, with the procurement process being referred to as tendering – but it all amounts to the same purchasing experience.

One of the core principles of public sector procurement is that it is subject to a legal framework, which is designed to encourage free and open competition and value for money. As outlined in government guidance on public procurement policy, the process must meet the principles of:

Public sector procurement is relevant to you if you’re part of a public sector organisation and have a project that needs delivering. However, finding suitable, trusted contractors can be challenging and
time-consuming.

That’s why opting for a framework agreement with a trusted provider that follows ethical procurement practices will ensure the suppliers that deliver your works, services, and goods have proven experience in the public sector – and will keep your project running smoothy from beginning to end.

While procuring goods and services is broadly the same across the public and private sectors, the main differences between public and private sector procurement lie in how public procurement is funded and regulated.

We’ve already explored what public sector procurement is and how it differs from private procurement, so now we’re going to take a look at public sector framework agreements – and understand exactly how they work.

What is a procurement framework?

A procurement framework, also known as a Framework Agreement, is an umbrella agreement put in place between a provider or range of providers that enables buyers to place orders for services, without facing the lengthy tendering process for each individual task.

These agreements set out the terms – including price, quality and quantity – under which contracts can
be awarded from pre-approved suppliers, and typically last for four years, although they can be longer.

Framework agreements are provided by organisations like Pagabo, who carefully select suppliers based on their skill and track record in the public sector. At Pagabo, we have a number of frameworks to choose from, covering everything from construction to consultancy and much more.

Framework Agreements are widely used across the public sector – but why? Here are some of the key benefits of choosing a public sector procurement framework:

Plus, when you choose an framework agreement provider like Pagabo, your procurement framework
will be guided by a team with over 125 years combined of experience, who know exactly what it takes to make procurement quicker, easier, and more effective.

Want to know how to select the ideal procurement framework for your project? Let’s get started.

Now that you have all the background on public sector procurement and Framework Agreements, it’s time to discover how to find the framework most suited to your project. Selecting the most suitable framework could mean the difference between a project’s success or disappointment, so it’s not a decision that should be rushed into.

At Pagabo, we offer 11 national frameworks and a DPS for small works. Each one has been carefully put together with the shared needs of the public sector in mind, and all our suppliers have passed rigorous testing to deliver your project to the highest standards.