Call-off contract, explained
A call-off contract is a contract awarded under a framework agreement: the buyer calls off the goods, services or works it needs, on the framework's terms, from a supplier already on it. Under the Procurement Act 2023 a call-off can be awarded with or without competition, following the selection process the framework itself sets out. 6,210 UK public notices carry it in their title, from 636 buyers.
UK notices counted · 28 Sept 2026
Definition
Call-off contract
A contract awarded under a framework agreement, on the framework's terms, to a supplier that is party to the framework — with or without competition.
- UK notice titles using it
- 6,210
- Buyers using it
- 636
01/ Side by side
Where call-offs come from
Call-offs come from frameworks and open frameworks; a dynamic market works differently. Tap a name to spotlight its column.
| Attribute | Framework | Open framework | Dynamic marketReplaces the DPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A contract that sets the terms for contracts awarded later — the call-offs | A scheme of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms | A list of qualified suppliers eligible for future procurements |
| A public contract? | Yes | Yes | No — joining is not the award of a contract |
| Longest life | 4 years; 8 for defence and security or utilities; longer only if justified in the tender notice | 8 years in all — reopened at least once in the first 3 years, then at least every 5 | No maximum |
| New suppliers mid-life | No | Yes, at each reopening | Yes, at any time |
| Number of suppliers | No minimum or maximum | At least two for the full 8-year term; no maximum | Cannot be limited |
| How work is awarded | Call-offs, with or without competition, as the framework sets out | As for a framework | Competitive flexible procedure among members, advertised by a tender notice |
Sources: Procurement Act 2023, ss.45–49 and 34–36; Cabinet Office guidance on frameworks and on dynamic markets; Procurement Act e-learning, module 5. Read 28 Sep 2026.
02/ The UK record
How often UK buyers say call-off
UK public notices with “call-off” in the title, each full year.
Notice titles, Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. Rates are per 10,000 notices classified that year, the Requirements Observatory’s denominator. Titles only: a description mentions the term far more often.
Per 10,000 notices: 2019 54.6 · 2020 74.2 · 2021 71.4 · 2022 83.6 · 2023 80.2 · 2024 93.8 · 2025 99.2
| Period | Titles using call-off | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 280 | 280 |
| 2020 | 301 | 301 |
| 2021 | 440 | 440 |
| 2022 | 764 | 764 |
| 2023 | 775 | 775 |
| 2024 | 944 | 944 |
| 2025 | 858 | 858 |
03/ Who says it
The buyers who say call-off
636 buyers have used it in 6,210 notice titles. These eight use it most.
Notice title contains “call-off”, grouped by buyer as published.
04/ Recent
call-offs published lately
The most recent UK public notices with call-off in the title. Each opens the full notice.
05/ In practice
Two routes to a call-off
- 01
Without competition
The buyer applies the framework's objective selection method — often from supplier catalogues — and awards directly.
- 02
Competitive selection
The buyer invites the framework's suppliers, often those on one lot, to compete — the old “mini-competition”.
- 03
Conditions may apply
Under the Act a buyer can set proportionate conditions of participation for a call-off, beyond those for the framework.
- 04
Exclusions still apply
An excluded supplier cannot be awarded a call-off, whatever the framework says.
06/ Questions
Call-off, answered
07/ Method
How this page is made
Live figures
Counts are UK public notices — Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, all years — whose title contains “call-off”. Titles are where a buyer names the document, and they can be counted exactly and quickly; descriptions mention the term far more often.
Rates are per 10,000 notices classified that year, the same denominator the Requirements Observatory uses. Figures are cached for up to 24 hours.
Outside sources
- Cabinet Office, Guidance: frameworks — call-offs with or without competition, competitive selection, conditions of participation and exclusions, read 28 Sep 2026.
- Procurement Act e-learning, module 5 — the three commercial tools compared, read 28 Sep 2026.
- Find a Tender and Contracts Finder — every notice counted on this page, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Glossary
Framework agreement
Terms for future contracts — and how long a framework can last.
Framework
G-Cloud 15
A live open framework: suppliers, lots and dates from the award notice.
Glossary
Dynamic purchasing system
The open supplier list — and the dynamic market that replaced it.
Live
Every open UK tender
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