A framework agreement is a contract with multiple suppliers, rather than one sole contractor. It may be split into different service offerings, geographical regions or a call-off contract.
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks are highly lucrative for many firms, as they cover several industries and sectors and tend to be nationwide. There is the opportunity for a number of suppliers to gain work from the agreements – and they do not have sole responsibility for delivery of the contracts, making them ideal for securing new contracts and growing your business.
What are Crown Commercial Service frameworks?
The Crown Commercial Service is an executive agency and trading fund of the Cabinet Office of the UK Government, set up to centralise public sector contracts and provide value for money. CCS manage a number of national framework agreements in sectors such as:
- IT and data management, including application development, software and hardware solutions, and technology services
- Skills and training services across a range of industries
- Off-site construction solutions and modern methods of construction
- Facilities management, separated into hard and soft facilities management disciplines and different value bands.
CCS adhere to the transparency and openness of the public sector procurement process, with all their framework agreements (and pipeline for all their future procurement exercises) being accessible online:
https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/upcoming
This allows both existing and potential suppliers to be kept up to date with all procurement processes, in addition to organising their bid pipeline to ensure resource is planned in for key contracts.
Tendering for Crown Commercial Service frameworks
As the CCS publish their pipeline for contracts, it is easy for firms to be aware of which contracts are going to be put out to tender. They can also attend market engagement events to find out more and perhaps provide their input into the framework itself. In accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, there is greater scope for contracting authorities to hold pre-market engagement events.
A firm serious about bidding and winning a contract really should be aware of future opportunities and ensure they are ready to bid when the tender notice is released and the documents are live.
Top tips – tendering for a Crown Commercial Service framework
Tendering for a framework agreement like CCS may be an organisation’s most important bid of the year and a ‘must win’ for the company. Framework agreements tend to be competitive, and before an important contract is released there are some fundamental steps you can take to increase your chances of success:
- Review previous bid submissions. Take a look at any previous bid submissions, both successful and unsuccessful, alongside any feedback and consider what worked well and what didn’t work. You can learn a lot from analysing previous tenders and making sure good material that scored well previously is ready to use or amended for your forthcoming bid.
- Brief your team. Whether you have an internal bid team, a sole bid writer or several staff with input into your bid documents, make sure they are aware of the forthcoming tender and understand the main objectives of the bid.
- Do your research. See if there are any market engagement events or webinars put on by CCS. This will provide an early insight into the bidding process and may provide an idea of any core topic areas, initiatives or evaluation criteria. Ultimately don’t miss out on gaining further information – information your competition may have at hand!
- Review your submission. Due to the competitive nature of Crown Commercial Service frameworks, every word and response counts when tendering. After quality responses have been drafted, your should get an additional pair of eyes to review the submission and make suggestions around enhancements and improvements – ensuring the strongest possible bid.
Supporting you with Crown Commercial Service framework bids
Since 2009, we have supported many clients to gain a place on Crown Commercial Service frameworks, resulting in key acquisition of new business. Our bid writing and bid review service allow us to support with individual services, while our bid writing training provides guidance and support on refining your bid strategy and increasing the marks you gain on the quality element of the submission.
For help and guidance bidding for CCS or any other public sector contracts, contact our team today.