Framework agreement, explained
A framework agreement is a contract between buyers and one or more suppliers that sets the terms for contracts awarded later — the call-offs. Winning a place is not winning work: the work comes when a buyer calls off. Under the Procurement Act 2023 most frameworks last up to four years, and a new open framework can reopen to new suppliers over an eight-year life. 5,849 UK public notices carry it in their title, from 1,161 buyers.
UK notices counted · 28 Sept 2026
Definition
Framework agreement
A contract between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that provides for the future award of contracts by a contracting authority to the supplier or suppliers (Procurement Act 2023, s.45(2)).
- UK notice titles using it
- 5,849
- Buyers using it
- 1,161
01/ Side by side
Framework, open framework and dynamic market
The Procurement Act's three commercial tools, side by side. 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 framework agreement
UK public notices with “framework agreement” 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 80.4 · 2020 76.2 · 2021 88.3 · 2022 73.7 · 2023 83.8 · 2024 78.7 · 2025 61.0
| Period | Titles using framework agreement | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 412 | 412 |
| 2020 | 309 | 309 |
| 2021 | 544 | 544 |
| 2022 | 674 | 674 |
| 2023 | 809 | 809 |
| 2024 | 792 | 792 |
| 2025 | 528 | 528 |
03/ Who says it
The buyers who say framework agreement
1,161 buyers have used it in 5,849 notice titles. These eight use it most.
Notice title contains “framework agreement”, grouped by buyer as published.
04/ Recent
framework agreements published lately
The most recent UK public notices with framework agreement in the title. Each opens the full notice.
05/ In practice
How to get on a framework
- 01
Watch for the tender
A framework is itself procured: its tender notice (UK4) on Find a Tender is the way in.
- 02
Bid for the lots you can win
Frameworks are split into lots; your place is per lot.
- 03
Or wait for a reopening
An open framework must reopen at least once in its first three years, then at least every five.
- 04
Then win the call-offs
A place gives you the right to compete for, or be chosen for, call-offs — not a guarantee of work.
06/ Questions
Framework agreement, 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 “framework agreement”. 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 — definitions, maximum terms, open frameworks and call-offs, read 28 Sep 2026.
- Procurement Act 2023, section 49 (open frameworks) — reopening periods and the eight-year limit, read 28 Sep 2026.
- Procurement Act e-learning, module 5 — the framework, open framework and dynamic market comparison, 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
Call-off contract
Work awarded under a framework, with or without competition.
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
Search today's notices, categorised and filterable, free.
Free to start · no card
Every UK tender, whatever it’s called
RFP Quest reads every notice — ITT, RFQ, RFI or RFP — and tells you which ones fit your business, free.
RFP Quest reads every notice on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. Counts on this page are read from that record and dated at the top.