How to promote your position as a GCA supplier

Being awarded a place as a supplier on a Government Commercial Agency (GCA) agreement is a great opportunity to promote your organisation to new and existing public sector customers.

By issuing effective communications on your new supplier status, you can make public sector customers aware of what you offer through our agreements. This can help you to:

  • win new contracts
  • increase your revenue
  • enhance your reputation
  • grow your organisation

Here are our top tips to help you position your messaging correctly and get the most out of your communications.

1. Get your message out

It might sound obvious, but being awarded a place on a GCA agreement is worth shouting about. You now have a chance to use your communication channels to share what you’ve achieved. This can help you to win public sector business.

You might want to put out a press release advertising your new status, post on social media, or even add the information to your website. 

This is because simply being a supplier on an agreement does not automatically mean you will win contracts. It is therefore important get your message out to the public sector, to capitalise on the chance to:

  • demonstrate your expertise
  • enhance your visibility
  • win new business

When you promote yourself as a GCA supplier, you are also promoting the GCA agreement through which you are supplying. With that in mind, do ask your category manager to review any communications you produce that reference GCA or your place on a GCA agreement before publication. This includes press releases, social media posts and website publications.

2. Use the correct wording

As a GCA supplier, you need to use the correct wording in your communications. This is to make sure you are presenting your position and GCA as an organisation correctly. It also helps potential customers find you easily. 

To make sure customers know how to find the right GCA agreement and buy from you:

  • include the full title of the agreement you have been awarded to and its RM reference code
  • specify the Lot(s) you have been awarded to – if you make clear which Lots you are on, it is easier for buyers to find you

If you mention GCA in your communications, we ask that you make sure you are using our approved wording explaining who GCA is and how we operate. You can find this wording on our website. 

Finally, avoid saying you have been ‘selected’, ‘endorsed’ or ‘chosen’ as a supplier. You also should not refer to scores in the tender process. This is because this implies you have been chosen above other potential suppliers due to competitive factors. Once awarded, all GCA suppliers are considered equal.

3. Use our GCA supplier logo

We have produced a logo specifically for use by our suppliers to advertise your GCA supplier status in your communications.

This logo can be used on a variety of physical and digital materials, including:

  • business cards
  • webpages
  • email signatures
  • event stands
  • presentation slides
  • letterheads
  • promotional material such as brochures, leaflets, and emails

Using the GCA supplier logo helps you promote your approved status to public sector buyers, boosting credibility and trust.

4. Produce a case study

If you want to further highlight your success as a GCA supplier, you could also work with us to produce a case study. These showcase how GCA is working with suppliers to achieve value for the nation through the public sector. 

As all case studies are published on our website, this also helps you to promote your business to a wider audience. 

Case studies:

  • add a human angle to the topic of procurement
  • highlight your success stories
  • demonstrate the services you offer
  • explain how your business makes a real-world difference to people, organisations and communities
  • illustrate your experience in your market
  • can help secure new and repeat business for your organisation

Any case studies you produce should be shared with GCA through your category manager in the draft stage. We will then work with you to finalise the story for publication. Once a case study is published on our website, you are also welcome to use them in your own marketing activity. 

You can find examples of previous case studies on our website.

5. Use the available support from GCA

At GCA, we encourage you to make the most of the opportunity to put yourself in front of potential customers. Indeed, we provide support to help you do so.

We have created a dedicated marketing toolkit for you to use when crafting your communications. It provides useful resources to help you correctly communicate what being a GCA supplier means and the products and services you can offer. It also contains a full list of ‘dos and don’ts’ when communicating as a GCA supplier.

Our marketing toolkit also provides clear guidance around the correct use of our branding and logos, as well as a number of versions of the logo in different sizes and resolutions for you to use.

This toolkit should be provided to you as part of your agreement award documentation by your category manager. You can also find the GCA supplier toolkit on our website. 

Your category manager can also provide useful support on marketing yourself as a GCA supplier. We ask that all marketing communications are reviewed by them, not only so we can check that they are accurate and compliant, but also to ensure they are the best they can be.

Find out more

Interested in becoming a GCA supplier? Read more of our guidance:

Changes to our agreements in April

Helping you stay informed and confident in your procurement decisions

This update provides a summary of which agreements were awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is expiring in the next 3 months.

Discover all our live agreements in our interactive digital brochure – your complete overview at a glance.

Agreements extended in April

Agreements awarded in April

Agreements that expired in April

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

We’re here to help

Have questions about any of these agreements? Our team is ready to support you.

Stay ahead of what is coming

Explore our upcoming agreement page to see the new procurements we are developing, so you can plan with confidence.

Never miss an update

And finally, subscribe to our monthly customer newsletter using this short form. Get these updates and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Glossary

Our glossary defines the key terms we use, helping you navigate our website and buy with confidence.

Small business, national value: how Nuvoli is helping the NHS cut mobile waste

Your work phone connects you to colleagues, keeps you informed on the move, and helps you get things done wherever you are in the world. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens when it is no longer needed?

Every public sector phone has a lifecycle. How we manage that device lifecycle matters more than you might think. Smart mobile management is a simple way to cut waste and improve sustainability. 

How smart management cuts mobile waste

By rethinking how we manage mobile devices, unused technology can be reused, resold, or donated. This helps improve digital inclusion across the UK and creates real value for the nation through charities such as the Good Things Foundation – the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity. Its mission is to help everyone become digitally equal, able and safe, so that they can be happier, healthier and better off.

Every unused public sector phone donated to charity is an opportunity to bridge the digital divide. 

It could:

  • help a grandmother stay connected with friends and family through video calls
  • provide job seekers who cannot afford smartphones with access to learning and employment opportunities
  • support a family where children are sharing one device for schoolwork

Money saved. Waste diverted. More people connected.

Nuvoli, a telecommunications service provider and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), recognised this opportunity and developed a bespoke telecommunications audit service. The audit can achieve up to 80% cost savings for organisations, including releasing cash from device trade in and recycling.

But their work goes beyond savings. 

Nuvoli also reviews: 

  • current spend 
  • device usage 
  • active connections 
  • the carbon footprint of an entire mobile estate

The audit takes around 15 minutes and gives organisations full transparency about their mobile usages across their estate. It identifies lines that are no longer active, highlights usage patterns and strengthens security by making sure devices and SIM cards are accounted for.

The biggest cost benefit is a comparison that Nuvoli conducts for customers across the tariffs on offer from the main mobile voice and data providers. This comparison can achieve savings of up to 70%, even when organisations stay with their current service provider. 

Reducing carbon and device waste

By taking note of the number of active connections and devices used within an estate, Nuvoli can also calculate the carbon footprint for the organisation, removing device waste and reducing CO2 output. 

For example:

  • not replacing a mobile phone saves 84.8kg of CO2 by avoiding the manufacture of a new device
  • for every inactive device that is recovered from an audit and then reused, it will generate 24p per 84.4kg

For every 100 phones recovered, Nuvoli typically recommends organisations:

  • keep 50
  • sell 40
  • donate 10 to charities such as the Good Things Foundation

Phones that may have been destined for landfill become a lifeline for people in need. This directly supports the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan. 

Nuvoli’s journey to becoming a public sector supplier

Having previously only supplied to the private sector, in 2022 co-founders of Nuvoli, Jason Standerwick and Bruce Harper made the decision to bid for a place as a supplier on our RM6261 Mobile Voice and Data Services agreement. 

Bruce explains: 

As an SME, we had always aspired to become a public sector supplier but felt we lacked the experience and knowledge to apply for a framework. After learning more about the Mobile Voice and Data Services agreement and specifically Mobile Audit Lot 3 – this changed everything.

Driven by our mission to help clients save money and streamline processes, we felt compelled to bid as we are passionate about extending our services to the public sector. From this point on, we committed 100% and put every ounce of effort into our response.

The bidding process forced us to rethink how we explained what we do and how we do it, which was time consuming, but we realised that the questions we were being asked about our business operations, whilst challenging, weren’t barriers. They were sensible requests, just expressed in a language we needed to learn.

Nuvoli won a place as sole supplier on Lot 3. 

Helping us find our feet and win business 

For a small business, trust is everything. We might offer better value, but without verified credentials, it’s an uphill battle. Becoming a Government Commercial Agency (GCA) approved supplier changed that. It opened previously closed doors and gave us an invisible seal of approval that built immediate trust with buyers, confirming we offer a genuine solution. 

Bruce said, continuing:

We’d won this opportunity, but we were apprehensive because we didn’t know what to do next. Gaining a place on a framework is one thing. Turning it into revenue was another challenge entirely.

For Nuvoli, everything changed when they met with the GCA commercial team and Commercial Practitioner Amber Jones became their dedicated representative. The support they received included pointing them towards opportunities, guiding and signposting to aggregation events, technology forums and market engagement support. 

Bruce adds:

It was just the right level of hand-holding. Our initial apprehension of dealing with the government quickly melted away.

A call from NHS London Procurement Partnership (LPP) changed everything for Bruce and his co-founder Jason. Through a collaborative agreement with GCA, NHS England now actively encourages trusts across the country to book free telecommunications gold audits worth £370.

200 NHS Trusts and counting

Nuvoli has significantly transformed its public sector engagement and now confidently helps the NHS manage its mobile estate.

Nuvoli has led them in carrying out audits across 200 trusts so far. In many cases, up to 25% of paid mobile lines were not being used. 

The results have been significant: 

  • up to 80% average rate saving on their mobile spend upon first using the rates available under the GCA framework
  • reduced waste across mobile estates – 500,000+ mobile connections audited
  • improved device recovery and reuse 
  • minimal administrative burden, as call-offs are managed through NHS LPP

Shah Miah, Category Manager, Digital & Technology Solutions at NHS LPP, says:

Donating or recycling mobile devices supports the NHS’s digital transformation and 10-year plan by reducing digital exclusion and improving access to services like the NHS App. It also contributes to net zero goals by extending device lifecycles, a practical example of how social value and sustainability can be delivered alongside improved patient outcomes.

Amber reflects: 

Watching Nuvoli grow and now delivering audits across NHS Trusts nationwide – that’s exactly why helping SMEs matters. Smaller suppliers can make a real difference when given the chance.

Following this success, a similar campaign is now planned for engagement within Local Government.

The change we are here to make

Every mobile phone reused is one less device in landfill. Every device donated to charity connects someone who was isolated. Every pound saved goes back into frontline patient care, helping to build an NHS fit for the future.

Nuvoli’s story shows what is possible when smaller suppliers are given a fair chance. It is about building a nation where we think about the environmental and citizen benefits of our procurement choices. Where creating value for the nation means something real.

Building on the successful outcome of the NHS audits, GCA aims to replicate this success across other sectors beginning with local government. By uniting the expertise of GCA Internal Stakeholders, including Category and CXD, and Nuvoli Ltd, we have identified 81 key organisations primed to benefit from this strategic campaign. We invite all local government organisations to leverage this collaborative campaign to identify cost-saving opportunities and enhance service delivery.

If you are interested in participating in this campaign, please contact Nuvoli Ltd directly at ccsenquiry@nuvoli.net. 

Inspired by Nuvoli’s journey?

Want to learn more? You can:

Transforming NHS infrastructure through NHS England partnership

A partnership between Government Commercial Agency (GCA)* and NHS England (NHSE) through the Construction Works and Associated Services 2/ProCure23 agreement (CWAS2) agreement has: 

  • supported the NHS in awarding £2.5 billion in healthcare construction schemes 
  • secured a future pipeline of future projects worth an additional £2.2 billion

The agreement enables the NHS supported by NHS England to procure design, construction and building services with capped rates and fees under the GCA agreement. 

Previous iterations of ProCure have supported the NHS in procuring over £10 billion worth of projects, helping to build an NHS estate fit for the future.

What the ProCure agreement offers 

Since launching in spring 2022, 89 contracts have been awarded covering 64 trusts through this Gold Standard agreement.

Benefits include:

  • capped framework rates and fees
  • access to approved suppliers with health and complex project design and construction expertise
  • NHSE implementation leads support, offered in an impartial capacity, free of charge
  • flexible call-off options for different project needs and values and complexities while making sure clients’ post-construction review compliance
  • standardised contracts, guidance and information papers 

Projects procured through ProCure 23

During 2025 to 2026, notable projects procured through the Construction Works and Associated Services 2/ProCure23 agreement have included:

  • a new Principal Treatment Centre for Children’s Cancer Services at Evelina Children’s Hospital, South London
  • construction of a new 21 bed intensive care unit at Kingston Hospital, South West London
  • two CDC developments for Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • construction of a new 3-storey outpatients facility at North Manchester General Hospital

The agreement supports the government’s commitments to modernise NHS infrastructure while applying construction playbook principles.

All ProCure23 suppliers are committed to modern construction methods and net zero carbon techniques. This makes sure innovation is at the forefront of all capital provided within the NHS.

Dawn Matthias, Commercial Deputy Director for Construction at GCA, said: 

“CWAS2/ProCure23 has, together with previous ProCure commercial agreements,  enabled trusts to deliver essential healthcare facilities faster, more cost-effectively, and with greater attention to patient and staff needs. We’re proud to see these projects continuing to make a tangible difference to healthcare provision across the country. GCA remains passionate about our commitment to our National Health Service and working together to positively change patients’ lives.”

Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for Estates and Facilities at NHS England, added: 

“ProCure23 builds on almost two decades of success of ProCure as a route to market for NHS capital projects. Now in its fourth year, this award-winning partnership with Crown Commercial Service has proven to be a cornerstone in addressing all aspects of the NHS’s capital requirements. This includes not only increasing our estate’s capacity with new developments, but also the crucial work of managing backlog maintenance, and reconfiguring spaces to better meet the health and care needs of our local communities.”

About the ProCure23 agreement

ProCure23 gives healthcare organisations access to approved suppliers for a wide range of construction services. It helps them expand and improve their estates to meet the health and care needs of their local communities. 

It runs alongside our existing RM6088 Construction Works and Associated Services agreement, which supports building and civil engineering projects of all values across the public sector. It helps our customers build everything from new schools and hospitals to prisons and houses. 

Together we are continuing to build an NHS fit for the future 

GCA will be launching the RM6320 Construction Works and Associated Services 3 (CWAS 3) agreement in March 2027. 

This will replace 3 current frameworks:

CWAS 3 will be an 8 year closed commercial agreement providing public sector organisations with a single route to market for all construction needs. 

It is designed to:

  • support projects of all sizes across the UK and overseas market
  • serve central government and the wider public sector 
  • make it easier for SMEs to work with government through dedicated lots and prompt payment

Find out more

Ready to get started? You can:

*From 1 April 2026, Crown Commercial Service and several Cabinet Office Central Commercial teams (operating under the Government Commercial Function) joined together to form the Government Commercial Agency.

What is a framework in procurement?

What is a framework?

In procurement, a framework is a long-term agreement between one or more buyers and one or more suppliers. It sets terms for future orders over a period of years. 

Frameworks help public and third sector buyers to procure goods and services from a list of pre-approved suppliers, with agreed terms and conditions and legal protections.

This streamlines purchasing for public sector buyers. Rather than having to draft a new contract each time they need to purchase goods and services, buyers can use the framework to make purchases over a period of years. This makes buying more efficient, predictable and cost-effective.

What can you buy through a framework?

There are tens of thousands of common goods and services available through Government Commercial Agency (GCA) frameworks, many of which were established under Crown Commercial Service (CCS). 

Goods include physical items such as:

  • laptops
  • police cars
  • electric vehicle charging infrastructure
  • building materials 

Services cover a wide range of functions, such as:

  • legal advice
  • digital experts
  • construction project managers
  • business travel solutions

Some frameworks include catalogues, which you can use for simple, everyday purchases such as office supplies. You can buy online for next day delivery, and you pay the price per item published in the catalogue.

How are suppliers chosen?

Suppliers bid to be awarded places on frameworks. Each framework is different, but as a general rule, suppliers have to show how they can provide the goods and services required and to an agreed standard. They may also need to explain how working with them will help you to generate social value, or meet carbon net zero targets.

GCA assesses the bids received from suppliers and awards places against the criteria listed in the framework’s documents.

The number of suppliers differs from framework to framework, depending on what is being offered. Some frameworks have only one supplier offering complex services, while others are designed to be open to thousands of potential bidders.

Once successful suppliers are awarded a place on an agreement, they can bid for work from public and third sector bodies who advertise tenders through that framework.

Many thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently have places on our GCA frameworks, alongside established, larger providers. We work to level the playing field for suppliers of all sizes.

Types of framework agreements

There are a few different types of framework agreements that are common in public procurement. This is because there are currently two different sets of procurement regulations in the UK:

  • Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015) govern all frameworks that began development before 24 February 2025
  • Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) governs all frameworks that began development on or after 24 February 2025

Framework agreements under PCR2015

Under PCR2015, the normal style of framework is a closed framework, which typically runs for a maximum of 4 years, or up to 8 years in certain circumstances. New suppliers or services cannot be added to a closed framework after it has started.

You can buy from a framework under PCR2015 using:

  • direct award: when you place an order directly with the supplier that best meets your needs 
  • further competition: when you invite suppliers to bid for your business, for instance if you have more complex buying needs
  • aggregated eAuctions – bringing many public or third sector organisations together to bulk buy things like laptops, network connections, or energy

Framework agreements under PA23

PA23 continues to use closed frameworks, as well as introducing a new type of commercial agreement: open frameworks.

Open frameworks

Open frameworks are more flexible. They can run for a maximum of 8 years, and must open at least once during that time to allow new suppliers to join and existing suppliers to update their service offerings. 

There are two ways to buy from both open and closed frameworks under PA23:

Framework lots

Frameworks are often divided into ‘lots’ by product or service type, and sometimes by region. This means that suppliers offering certain kinds of specialist goods or services can bid to join the lot that best suits their offer. Sometimes there might be different lots for suppliers in different geographic locations.

Other types of commercial agreements

Frameworks are a type of commercial agreement. You can also choose to buy goods and services through other types of commercial agreements such as:

Call-off contracts

A framework in itself is not a contract for purchases. The contract comes in when the specific details of a procurement, such as quantities and timelines, are finalised. This is known as a ‘call-off contract’.

A call-off contract is a template contract with many standard elements that all suppliers sign up to when joining a framework. Using call-off contracts can be much simpler than drafting individual contracts yourself.

You still have to develop and agree on the details of the contract to suit your circumstances, and then manage the supplier’s performance. In some situations you may need to get your own legal advice.

A framework does some heavy lifting for you and gives significant protection from commercial risks. However, even under a framework you are still a contracting body and must make your own assessments of risks, such as a supplier failing to fulfil their commitments.

When do frameworks end?

Once awarded, frameworks run for an agreed timeframe before ending. This is usually somewhere between 4 and 8 years.

After the framework ends, new contracts cannot be awarded, but existing call-off contracts can continue until they are fulfilled.

Every framework also has a top limit on the amount that the public sector can spend through it. This top limit will often be hundreds of millions, or even billions, of pounds. The top limit is published in the contract notice midway through the framework development process. 

If this limit is exceeded, the framework owner must run a new tender process, giving existing and new suppliers the chance to bid. However, the limit is usually set high enough that this is unlikely to happen within the framework’s planned lifespan.

Benefits of frameworks for public sector buyers

Frameworks offer public sector buyers several benefits:

  • time and cost savings: save time and money by removing the need to run lengthy and expensive full tender processes for each procurement
  • quality standards: buyers get peace of mind that suppliers are qualified and vetted, and can offer goods and services to an agreed standard
  • legal compliance: frameworks are designed to comply with relevant procurement regulations and reduce the risk of legal challenges

Using a GCA framework means all you as a buyer need to do is follow the award process in the contract or in the customer guidance that we provide for all our frameworks. 

This gives you not only peace of mind that there’s a trusted partner looking after the framework and providing guidance along the way, but also provides further value to both you and the taxpayer.

Find out more

Ready to get started with frameworks? You can:

What is a Dynamic Purchasing System?

What is a Dynamic Purchasing System in procurement?

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is a type of commercial agreement that operates through an online marketplace. DPSs offer customers a quick, easy and flexible way to buy commonly used goods and services.

Public sector buyers can procure from a list of pre-approved suppliers. They also benefit from standard terms and conditions and legal protections. Within the DPS marketplace, they can easily find and engage with suitable suppliers. Buyers can then make purchases on largely preset contract terms. This makes the procurement process more efficient. 

What is the difference between a Dynamic Purchasing System and a framework?

As a procurement tool, a Dynamic Purchasing System is similar to a framework, another type of agreement. However, the biggest difference is that suppliers can join a DPS at any time. This increases competition and choice. It also ensures the DPS remains open to innovations, emerging technologies and new businesses.

This means that DPSs can keep up with evolving technology and markets. This benefits the public sector by enabling organisations to quickly access new capabilities. This is a quicker process than under frameworks, which suppliers can only join during a limited application window.

This is why DPSs are especially suitable for buying goods and services in fast-changing industries such as:

How does a DPS work? 

DPSs typically run in two stages.

In the first stage, suppliers who meet the preset criteria apply to join the DPS. When they are approved, they may be categorised within the DPS according to things like their:

  • specialism
  • credentials
  • capability
  • geographical location

In the second stage, contracts are awarded. During this process, public or third sector buyers use the DPS marketplace to shortlist suppliers that meet their needs. They then invite these shortlisted suppliers to bid for their contract. This process is known as buying through further competition. All DPS contacts must go out to competition. It is not possible to purchase through direct award.

What can I buy through a DPS?

You can buy almost anything through a DPS, from school supplies to NHS equipment. 

DPSs work best for public sector organisations who are looking for standard goods and services or innovative solutions in new and emerging markets. 

DPSs do not work for anyone looking to make a direct award or order a specific product or service from a catalogue, where there is no need for further competition. 

Some goods and services you can buy through a DPS include:

  • IT equipment and software
  • cyber security and AI services
  • building repair and maintenance services
  • project management
  • architectural design
  • temporary and permanent staffing
  • adult skills training
  • market research
  • food and drinks
  • office supplies
  • transport and accommodation bookings
  • specialised services such as carbon net zero solutions or specialised healthcare products

How long can a Dynamic Purchasing System run?

Unlike frameworks, which usually last for a maximum of 4 years, a Dynamic Purchasing System has no fixed length. This means that DPSs can run for any duration. The organisation that sets up the DPS determines its maximum length, and communicates this in the tender documents. 

For example, some DPSs available through Government Commercial Agency have a maximum duration of 4 years, while others last as long as 10 years or more.

DPSs and dynamic markets

It is worth noting that DPSs are slowly being replaced by a new type of flexible agreement known as dynamic markets. 

The Procurement Act 2023 introduced dynamic markets as a replacement for DPSs when it took effect in February 2025. 

However, many DPSs that were established by Crown Commercial Service before 2025 are still open for you to buy through. These agreements continue to be governed by the Public Contract Regulations 2015 instead of the Procurement Act.

Read our dedicated article about dynamic markets to learn how they differ from DPSs. 

How do Dynamic Purchasing Systems benefit public sector buyers?

Dynamic Purchasing Systems offer many benefits:

  • speed and ease of use: DPSs are easy to use and can cut procurement times to as little as 10 days
  • wider range of suppliers: since new suppliers can join at any time, DPSs give buyers access to a larger, more diverse pool of suppliers
  • competitive pricing: DPSs use ongoing competitions to drive innovation and cut prices
  • flexibility: buyers can filter suppliers according to their specific needs, for instance by targeting specialists or suppliers in specific areas

Our GCA DPSs are designed to support businesses of all disciplines, sizes and regional locations. By matching up public sector buyers with local suppliers, they help small and medium sized enterprises take part in public procurement. This levels the playing field for smaller businesses and provides value to both buyers and suppliers.

How to buy through DPSs: The Dynamic Purchasing System Marketplace 

You can visit our agreements page to see all of the open Dynamic Purchasing Systems available through GCA.

Once you have found a DPS that suits your needs, the DPS Marketplace provides access to all GCA DPS agreements. It can be used to shortlist suppliers to invite to tender and to request evidence from the winning supplier as part of your compliance checks, such as:

  • customer references
  • contract examples
  • insurance certificates

You should always read the customer guidance document for the DPS that you are using before commencing your further competition.

To register for the DPS Marketplace, you must be authorised as a public or third sector buyer. You can find more information on how to do this in our guide to buying through Dynamic Purchasing Systems.

Find out more

Ready to get buying with Dynamic Purchasing Systems? You can:

Changes to our agreements in March

Helping you stay informed and confident in your procurement decisions

This update provides a summary of which agreements were awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is expiring in the next 3 months.

Discover all our live agreements in our interactive digital brochure – your complete overview at a glance.

Agreements awarded in March

Agreements that expired in March

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

We’re here to help

Have questions about any of these agreements? Our team is ready to support you.

Stay ahead of what is coming

Explore our upcoming agreement page to see the new procurements we are developing, so you can plan with confidence.

Never miss an update

And finally, subscribe to our monthly customer newsletter using this short form. Get these updates and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Glossary

Our glossary defines the key terms we use, helping you navigate our website and buy with confidence.

Buying goods and services: what Scottish public bodies need to know

We offer ready-made commercial agreements that let you buy goods and services without starting from scratch. Think of it like a catalogue, where the hard work of vetting suppliers has already been done. 

If you are based in Scotland, there are some extra steps when using agreements launched under the Procurement Act 2023. This guide explains what you need to do.

Check which rules apply

If you are using a Scottish national or sectoral collaborative framework, or running your own procurement exercise, Scottish procurement rules apply. These include: 

  • the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 
  • the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014

If you are using a commercial agreement awarded under UK legislation, you must follow either:

  • the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), or 
  • the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015)

This depends on which legislative regime was used to award the agreement. 

You can use our website or the Central Digital Platform (CDP) to identify which rules apply.

Procurement Act 2023 or Public Contracts Regulations 2015?

PA23 simplifies some framework rules. For example, it removes restrictions on how a competitive selection process should work when awarding call-off contracts. These can now be either single stage or multiple stage.

PA23 also introduced open frameworks. These frameworks can be re-opened during the lifetime of the agreement so that new suppliers can join. 

It also replaces the dynamic purchasing system from PCR2015 with dynamic markets. Dynamic markets can be used for more than common goods and services.

Why does this matter?

 If you are using an agreement set up under the Procurement Act 2023, you will need to complete some additional steps that we explain below.

Buying goods and services under Procurement Act 2023 if you are based in Scotland

The following guidelines are for using Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) Government Commercial Agency frameworks and dynamic markets only.

When using a framework or dynamic market set up under the Procurement Act 2023, you need to:

  •  register on the Central Digital Platform
  •  check supplier exclusion status before awarding
  •  publish required notices at each stage
  •  keep records of your process for auditing purposes

Register on the Central Digital Platform

Before using agreements awarded under the Procurement Act 2023, you must register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform. This government website is where official notices about your purchases are published. 

To register follow these instructions:

Step 1

One person from your organisation creates a personal account on OneLogin. Use your own work email address, not a shared one.

Step 2

That person registers your organisation. Use a shared email, (like procurement@yourschool.gov.uk) for the organisation account so colleagues can access it.

Your organisation name must match exactly how it appears on official records, or it will be rejected.

Step 3

Invite colleagues who need access and give them appropriate permissions.

You are then ready to start buying GCA frameworks and dynamic markets.

Two ways to buy: frameworks and dynamic markets

We offer 2 main types of commercial agreement:

  • frameworks
  • dynamic markets

Frameworks 

Frameworks are like approved supplier lists. The rules for how you choose a supplier are set out in each framework’s guidance documents. Depending on the agreement, you may be able to: 

  • pick a supplier directly
  • run a competition, which could have multiple steps

Dynamic markets

Dynamic markets are more flexible lists where new suppliers can join at any point in the market’s lifetime. 

We onboard suppliers to our dynamic markets, so please allow 30 days for this process before you run a competition. This gives time for any new suppliers wanting to join to be assessed.

You must always run a competition when using a dynamic market, and assessment summaries are required.

Check your chosen supplier is not excluded

We can now remove excluded and excludable suppliers from live frameworks and dynamic markets. However, contracting authorities still have responsibilities when awarding contracts. 

PA23 does not allow a contracting authority to award a contract to an excluded supplier. This means that you will need to confirm that a supplier has not been excluded before awarding a contract to them under a framework or dynamic market. 

Scottish authorities should therefore be familiar with:

Publishing notices on the Central Digital Platform

You must publish notices on the CDP at important stages for transparency. Think of these as official announcements:

  • before using a dynamic market: publish a UK4 tender notice stating you intend to use it (this does not apply to awards made under frameworks)
  • before signing a contract (if it is above certain value thresholds): publish a UK6 contract award notice announcing who you are planning to award to
  • after signing: publish details of the contract within 30 days using a UK7 contract details notice

The CDP platform guides you through which forms to complete.

Exemptions for Scottish devolved authorities using our frameworks

PA23 introduces new procurement objectives and a National Procurement Policy Statement that we would have considered when designing frameworks for all customers.

It also introduces new requirements on the publication of key performance indicators using the new noticing regime. 

Part 6 of the Act sets out the rules for below-threshold contracts. 

Devolved Scottish Authorities can disapply these requirements when:

  • calling off under a framework
  • using one of our dynamic markets

For more information about devolved contracting authorities visit GOV.UK.

Need help?

Check the buyers guide for your specific agreement. It contains step-by-step instructions. 

You can also contact us directly by:

You can visit GOV.UK for more guidance on the Central Digital Platform.

Learn more

The Procurement Act 2023 brought in several other changes. Read more about:

Our new agreement to support digital transformation is now live

Our Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 (DOS 7) agreement is now live. It replaces and consolidates 2 previous agreements: Digital Outcomes 6 (DOS 6) and Digital Specialists and Programmes (DSP).

DOS 7 provides a single procurement solution for public sector organisations to design, build, test and deliver digital projects and services. This new agreement:

  • brings together the best of both previous agreements
  • reduces supplier burden
  • creates a clearer customer journey

Benefits for buyers and suppliers using DOS 7

DOS 7 includes significant improvements based on extensive engagement with customers and suppliers. We conducted webinars, roundtable events, and one-to-one sessions with over 1,000 participants during development.

Benefits of DOS 7 include:

1. Open framework approach 

The Procurement Act 2023 enables the agreement to reopen every 18 months so new suppliers can join, and existing suppliers can refresh their services.

2. Competitive dialogue 

Buyers can discuss and refine requirements with selected suppliers before making a final decision.

3. Longer call-off terms 

Contracts of up to 4 years are available for Lot 1, providing stability for major digital transformation projects.

4. Improved supplier filtering 

A new filtering tool helps identify capable suppliers and speeds up procurement processes.

5. No supplier cap 

There is no limit on the number of suppliers awarded places on the agreement, increasing competition and choice.

6. Reduced insurance requirements 

Lots 1, 3 and 4 require only employers’ liability insurance from the framework start date.

7. Central Digital Platform 

The Procurement Act 2023 introduced this free platform, making it easier to find and bid for contracts. Suppliers can register once and store core business details for multiple bids.

Dr Philip Orumwense CBE, Chief Technology Procurement Officer and Commercial Director at Government Commercial Agency, explains:

We have worked with partners across the public sector including suppliers and public sector bodies to develop our DOS 7 agreement. This latest agreement continues to help public sector organisations find suppliers that can design, build, test and deliver digital solutions, supporting public services that meet the needs of citizens.

RM1043.9 Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7: lotting structure and scope

The agreement uses an agile approach, which means buyers have the flexibility to adapt projects as requirements evolve.

The agreement is structured to provide comprehensive digital services across 4 lots:

Lot 1: Digital Outcomes

Lot 2: Digital Capability and Delivery Partners

Lot 3: Digital Specialists

Lot 4: User Research Studios and Participants

How Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 supports public sector organisations

DOS 7 helps organisations to access the digital expertise they need to transform vital services. For example:

  • central government departments can access complete digital delivery teams for major transformation programmes
  • local authorities can buy user research services and digital specialists to improve citizen-facing services
  • all public sector organisations can source agile digital teams through a simplified procurement process

Using Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 to create user-centred digital services

DOS 7 supports the use of agile delivery approaches and user research. This helps organisations create digital services that meet the needs of citizens and supports government priorities for modernising public services.

Local councils

Local councils can use agile delivery teams to redesign planning and licensing services. Digital teams can help:

  • understand resident needs through user research
  • build digital services that reduce application processing times
  • support better service delivery
  • help meet Plan for Change goals for building homes and improving local services

NHS trusts

NHS trusts can buy user research services to understand patient and staff needs. These insights can help:

  • design digital health services that improve patient experience
  • reduce administrative burden
  • identify barriers to care
  • create more accessible digital health services

Government departments

Government departments can use digital specialists to build and test new services quickly. Specialists including user researchers, business analysts, and agile delivery managers can help departments:

  • understand policy impacts
  • create digital solutions
  • spend more time focusing on policy outcomes while digital experts handle service design and delivery

Supporting UK innovation and SMEs

The new agreement has over 1,700 suppliers and 89% of them are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DOS 7 is designed with SME-friendly features that support UK digital innovation, including:

  • no cap on supplier numbers, creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes
  • reduced insurance requirements for most lots
  • simplified application process through the Digital Marketplace
  • support for organisations working together to bid

This approach boosts UK innovation and develops digital skills in the public sector while creating opportunities for UK technology businesses to grow.

Find out more

To learn more about DOS 7, visit the agreement page or contact the GCA Service Desk at info@gca.gov.uk.

Freshwave uses CCS agreements to improve public sector mobile connectivity

Freshwave is a London-based small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) that supports public sector digital transformation through better connectivity. They provide neutral host services and essential connectivity solutions.

Through our Network Services 3 agreement, they have increased their visibility and secured significant public sector contracts. This article explores the benefits they experienced working with us, and the impact their work has had on local communities.

Improving mobile connectivity for the public sector

Consistent and reliable wireless mobile connectivity is an important consideration for most public services. Good connection allows the public sector to create infrastructure fit for the digital age.

However, maintaining consistent mobile coverage is a challenge in many public buildings, leaving people in them reliant on Wi-Fi connections and struggling to access mobile data services. One solution to this problem is using a neutral host provider, like Freshwave.

A neutral host service provides a single source for high-quality, consistent mobile phone signals inside a building. This source can be shared by different network operators including EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree, who approve the design and operation of the system.

This network set-up means:

  • everyone in the building can get good mobile phone coverage, no matter which network they use
  • there is an essential backup if the Wi-Fi connectivity is lost
  • places like government offices, hospitals, schools and event spaces, can access reliable connection for crucial day-to-day activities

How Freshwave used our agreements to supply to the public sector

Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, explains the process of becoming a CCS supplier on the Network Services 3 agreement and how Freshwave were able to help Ulster University solve its connectivity problems.

The problem

As an SME, we have traditionally relied on avenues such as collective bids and working as a subcontractor to access bigger public sector contracts and opportunities. These arrangements can have their downsides though, like not being able to operate on our terms as we would like, and more complicated processes to issue invoices and raise purchase orders adding to our administrative burden.

In 2020, we were approached by a new-build hospital in South Wales about bringing all-operator mobile connectivity into the development. Because of the pandemic they wanted to open the hospital six months early, and we achieved this by working closely with them and the mobile network operators.

To enable us to work more easily with other public sector organisations who need multi-operator indoor mobile signal, we decided to explore a new approach to simplify our work. We also wanted to have direct ownership of our relationships with our customers.

The approach

We decided to submit an application to become a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Network Services 3 agreement. As an SME that historically had a very small footprint in the public sector, this commitment posed some new challenges for us in terms of resource and capability.

Regular engagement with CCS helped make the process achievable for us. We took advantage of CCS’s extensive supplier engagement process.

They helped us by:

  • letting us understand what we needed to do and by when
  • guiding us through the process by demonstrating the importance of achieving credentials like Cyber Essentials Certification and having a robust Carbon Reduction Plan in place
  • helping us understand the additional value we would gain from investing in industry standards like ISO accreditations

CCS’s supplier criteria requirements also helped us to make improvements within our organisation. For example, we had to develop streamlined, repeatable sets of processes to provide solid evidence about aspects of our business such as cyber security, environmental work and social value. These new processes ultimately improved our own ways of working.

The outcome

After a quick and easy application process we achieved supplier status on two Lots of the agreement:

  • Lot 1a (Inter Site Connectivity (Wider Area Network) / Data Access Services)
  • Lot 2a (Intra Site Connectivity (Local Area Network) / Local Connectivity Services)

Since achieving supplier status, we’re delighted to have been awarded contracts to bring all-operator connectivity to several NHS hospitals, as well as other public sector buildings.

Becoming a supplier on a CCS agreement has:

  • given us a clear and transparent mechanism to engage with customers and bid for public sector contracts
  • allowed contracts to move from award to signature with greater speed, enabling work on these contracts to begin in a timelier way
  • significantly reduced the resource burden on us as an SME supplier, such as by providing a more efficient contracting process and through standard terms and conditions under Network Services 3

Using Crown Commercial Service’s market knowledge and commercial expertise to improve our service

We also tapped into CCS’s expertise in the mobile connectivity market. The Network Services category team supported us with answering queries from potential customers around what we offered and making sure it was the right fit for them.

Refining our service description for the agreement helped us produce a better-defined proposition and positioning of our services. Compliance and transparency are at the foundation which results in an improved offering for public sector buyers.

Watch the video about Freshwave’s journey as a CCS supplier.

How Freshwave improved mobile connectivity for Ulster University and the local community

Ulster University’s new Belfast campus is both an educational facility and a public building serving the wider Belfast community. The campus hosts many public events, ranging from small events to university open days, which are attended by thousands of potential students and their families.

Two blocks of buildings on the campus were purpose-built to high environmental standards. However, this meant mobile signal in these blocks was limited, leading to poor 4G and 5G signals and connectivity issues for staff and visitors.

Whilst there is public Wi-Fi throughout the campus, they needed a way to get visitors and staff a better mobile network connection. Not every visitor wants to connect to a public network, and there needed to be a backup in case of Wi-Fi problems or outages.

As a CCS supplier on the Network Services 3 agreement, Freshwave were awarded the contract in March 2024.

They now provide the campus with a solution to its connectivity problem. Freshwave installed the new in-building service and continues to fully monitor the entire system remotely day-to-day.

All visitors can now connect their mobile devices to any mobile network with high quality 4G connectivity.

Donna O’Kane, Unified Communications Manager at Ulster University, said:

The University is pleased to have selected Freshwave through the Network Services 3 framework. The system designed and implemented by Freshwave brings mobile connectivity from all the UK network operators into our new campus buildings. 

The project has been a great success with coverage throughout the blocks enabling staff to make and receive calls and texts without having to leave the buildings or find small pockets of signal by the window. Everyone working, visiting, or studying in the new blocks at the University can now stay connected.

Find out more about becoming a supplier

If you’re a public sector organisation looking to improve mobile network connectivity, learn more about our Network Services 3 agreement.