Frameworks are one of the most common ways councils, NHS trusts and buying organisations buy training, and one of the most misunderstood. If you are a training or L&D provider and have seen an opportunity described as a "framework", this guide answers what is a framework agreement, how work flows through one, and how you get on.
The short answer: a framework agreement is a pre-approved list of providers with the contract terms already agreed. Winning a place makes you eligible for work. The work itself still has to be won, call-off by call-off.
At a glance
- A framework agreement is an arrangement between a buyer (or several buyers) and one or more providers that sets the terms for future contracts.
- Contracts awarded under it are called call-off contracts.
- Getting onto a framework usually means winning a place through a competitive tender.
- Once on, you win work by direct award or by further competition, usually called a mini competition.
- The Procurement Act 2023 added open frameworks, which must reopen to new providers during their life.
What is a framework agreement?
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a framework is a contract between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that provides for the future award of contracts, usually without committing the buyer to buy anything up front. When a council needs a leadership programme or an NHS trust needs a block of statutory and mandatory training, it does not run a full procurement from scratch. It buys from the providers already on the framework.
What is a call off contract?
A call-off contract is the contract a buyer awards under a framework for a specific piece of work: say, twelve days of mental health awareness training across three sites. The framework's standard terms and the buyer's order form together make up the call-off contract. Under the Act, a buyer must publish a contract award notice when it awards one.
So there are two stages: getting onto the framework, then winning call-off contracts.
Direct award and mini competitions
The Act allows two ways to award a call-off:
- Award without competition (direct award). Allowed only where the framework sets out an objective way of choosing the provider, such as a ranking or a rota, and the core terms of the call-off.
- Competitive selection process. The buyer invites providers on the framework to bid and picks a winner, judging them only on some or all of the award criteria used to set up the framework. This is what most people call a mini competition.
Real training frameworks use both. YPO's announced Training Solutions Framework proposes award without competition for off-the-shelf courses and a competitive selection process for bespoke programmes, and ESPO's Managed Learning Services framework lists both routes. A mini competition is often a short specification and a few scored questions, but it is still a bid.
Open and closed frameworks
In a closed framework, once the providers are appointed nobody else can join, and the maximum term is generally four years. The Act added the open framework, a scheme of successive frameworks that must reopen at least once in its first three years and at least every five years after that, up to eight years in total. Each reopening is a fresh chance for new providers. (See the Procurement Act 2023 explained.)
How a training provider gets onto a framework
- Find the frameworks that cover what you deliver. They are advertised like other opportunities on Find a Tender, and buying organisations publish their pipelines. Our frameworks overview lists the six we focus on.
- Check the fit before you apply. The YPO training framework suits providers with some public sector or professional-body history. The Hull learning and training DPS and the EEAST training framework are lighter entry routes for newer providers. The Sunderland public health training DPS is for public health and mental health awareness trainers. The Birmingham apprenticeship DPS and Warrington apprenticeship DPS are only for providers already on the apprenticeship provider register.
- Pass the selection stage. Insurance, policies, safeguarding, financial standing and evidence of relevant delivery. (See PQQ and the Standard Selection Questionnaire.)
- Submit your tender for a place, in your own organisation's name.
- Once appointed, watch for call-offs and be ready to win mini competitions.
Timing is the trap. Miss a closed framework's window and you wait years for the next one while the providers on it call off the work.
Framework vs dynamic purchasing system
Frameworks are often confused with a dynamic purchasing system (DPS). A closed framework is a fixed list for its lifetime; a DPS stays open for providers to apply throughout. Several of the routes above are DPSs for exactly that reason. (See dynamic purchasing systems explained.)
Frequently asked questions
What is a framework agreement in simple terms?
A pre-agreed arrangement between a buyer and a set of providers that fixes the terms for future contracts, so the buyer can award training work without a full procurement each time.
What is a call off contract?
It is the contract awarded under a framework for a specific piece of work, such as a run of safeguarding courses. It combines the framework's standard terms with the buyer's own order form.
What is a mini competition?
It is a short competition among the providers on a framework for one call-off contract. The Procurement Act 2023 calls it a competitive selection process, and bids can only be judged against some or all of the criteria used to set up the framework.
Does being on a framework guarantee work?
No. A place makes you eligible. On most training frameworks you still compete for individual call-offs, and it is possible to hold a place for the whole term without winning one.
How do I get on a framework agreement as a training provider?
Find frameworks that cover your subjects on Find a Tender and buying organisations' pipelines, pass the selection stage, and submit a competitive tender for a place in your own name.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Guidance: Frameworks (Procurement Act 2023)
- GOV.UK — Procurement Act 2023 e-learning, Module 5: Frameworks and dynamic markets
- legislation.gov.uk — Procurement Act 2023, Part 3 Chapter 4 (Frameworks)
- Find a Tender — YPO Training Solutions, preliminary market engagement notice
- ESPO — Managed Learning Services (383_25)