How to buy from the Framework

Direct Award

Direct Award is an option under the framework. The rules governing Direct Award are defined within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Framework users’ attention is drawn to these rules. Direct Award takes place where a framework user direct awards business to a supplier without the supplier having to engage in a further competitive process to win the contract.

Each supplier has an agreed price list for the services and supplies available under the framework and these can be accessed by contacting either the specific supplier Account Manager,the framework Help Desk or the framework Contract Manager. The price lists may be of assistance to framework users when deciding whether or not to Direct Award to a supplier.

Further Competition

A framework user can engage suppliers in a further competition in pursuit of additional value. When engaging in a further competition exercise, framework users must invite all the suppliers to participate in the further competition. All suppliers must be given the opportunity to engage in a further competition. Whereas all suppliers must be given the opportunity to engage in the further competition, they are not obliged to submit a quotation and may decide not to submit a bid under the further competition. This doesn’t invalidate your further competition.

The following is an example of a traditional further competition process (for illustrative purpose only): Basic advice and guidance upon conducting further competitions can be obtained from the framework Help Desk.

If conducting your own further competition, exercise framework users should note the base evaluation criteria and weighting for the Lot under which they are conducting the process. Full details of the weighting that underpins each Lot can be found in Appendix E. A standard further competition template for use in a traditional further competition is attached in Appendix B for framework users wishing to undertake their own further competition exercise.

Supplier Information

For further information on product catalogues and pricing please contact the Help Desk.