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The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) has recently released a new Framework Practice Guide. This guide provides guidance for public sector organisations on establishing, managing, and using procurement frameworks. With a significant proportion of public procurement spend channelled through frameworks, the guide highlights the importance of selecting appropriate, transparent, and compliant routes to market. Moreover, it recognises that buyers should assess existing commercial tools for suitability before undertaking new sourcing activity.

What should buyers look for?

For public sector bodies selecting a framework, the guide’s section ‘Selecting the Right Route: What to Look For’ provides a useful checklist for assessing different framework providers and commercial tools.

This includes considering:

• Fee transparency – understanding the levy or fees charged and the value provided in return.
• Risk allocation – checking that risks are appropriately allocated to the party best placed to manage them.
• Market health – ensuring the framework provides sufficient supplier choice and supports healthy competition.
• Provider capacity – confirming that the framework provider can actively monitor and manage suppliers throughout the framework’s lifecycle.
• Value for the public sector – considering the wider benefits and support provided alongside the framework itself.

The guide also encourages buyers to consider the number and range of suppliers available, the framework’s funding model and the operational support provided by the framework provider.

Supporting collaborative procurement

At TPPL, we recognise that selecting a framework involves more than simply identifying a route to market. Buyers need confidence that a framework is compliant and suitable for their requirements. They also need it to be supported by an appropriate supplier base and level of service. The GCA guidance provides a valuable reference point for public sector buyers when assessing their options. Furtermore, we believe its requirements sit at the heart of how we operate our solutions for members seeking to call off from them.

TPPL’s approach centres on collaboration with established public sector procurement organisations, including NEPO, Commercial Services Kent Limited (CSKL), STAR Procurement and Hertfordshire County Council (Herts FullStop). By working with established Centralised Procurement Authorities and central purchasing bodies, we help members access trusted, compliant and well-governed procurement solutions. We do this rather than creating additional commercial tools. In addition, this also supports the principles of collaboration, market stewardship and reduced framework proliferation. The Framework Practice Guide highlights these principles.

Supporting informed framework choices

Transparent and competitive fees also form an important part of our approach. In 2025, we recycled more than £1 million in fees back into the public purse. This supports the public sector while providing access to compliant procurement solutions.

Many of our existing solutions were procured under PCR 2015, providing buyers and suppliers with familiarity under the previous legislation. Our most recent three solutions, along with all future solutions, will be procured under the Procurement Act 2023. This supports a consistent and compliant approach as the legislative landscape evolves. Each framework also clearly identifies the legislative regime under which it was procured.

Furthermore, we use carefully drafted template documentation across our solutions. This consistent approach can increase supplier engagement and help members get to market more quickly. Combined with innovative procurement tools and portals, it supports our 1,000+ members in achieving quick and compliant call-offs. As a result, it also reduces the time required for market engagement, desktop research and complex documentation.

Supporting competition and value

Efficiency underpins our approach to public procurement. Our experienced tender team delivers several hundred procurements for members each year, while our solutions are designed to be well-framed, focused, and feasible, with flexibility to accommodate different buyer requirements and outcomes.

Our frameworks and other solutions provide access to a broad supplier base, including national and smaller regional suppliers. By encouraging competition and engaging with both buyers and the market, we aim to support members in achieving value for taxpayers’ money.

This approach also reflects the GCA’s focus on market health and the importance of understanding the supplier landscape when selecting a framework.

Supporting the transition to net zero

Sustainability is another key part of our procurement approach. Our fleet solutions capture the latest initiatives supporting fleet decarbonisation. These include technologies such as repowering conventionally fuelled vehicles to electric or hydrogen, electric vehicle suitability tools, and infrastructure solutions supporting zero-emission vehicles. We are also committed to supporting public organisations financially when investing in high-value zero-emission vehicles. In particular, this includes support through fee sharing to support decarbonisation.

Supporting public sector organisations across the UK

Ultimately, selecting the right framework is about more than simply identifying a route to market. Buyers need confidence in the framework’s compliance, supplier market, fee structure, risk allocation, and the support available throughout the procurement process. Effective framework management is equally important. Accordingly, this provides a continuous and proactive approach throughout the framework lifecycle. TPPL helps protect contracting authorities from operational risk by closely monitoring supplier performance and conducting robust due diligence. By identifying early signs of financial distress, we can alert buyers promptly. As a result, this helps safeguard the continuity of critical public services.

The Framework Practice Guide provides a useful reference point for buyers undertaking these checks. Many of the principles highlighted within the Framework Practice Guide are already embedded within TPPL’s operating model. We will continue to develop our solutions in line with these principles, supporting compliance, competition, value for money and effective procurement outcomes for the public sector. In addition, through our partnerships and procurement solutions, we aim to provide compliant, efficient and flexible procurement routes. These are designed around the needs of the public sector.

TPPL remains committed to supporting member organisations across the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the same level of compliant service and procurement support. We invest considerable resources in engaging with members and encouraging suppliers from all regions to participate in our solutions. Additionally, we will shortly publish guidance for Scottish authorities on the use of our Procurement Act 2023-compliant frameworks. This will follow the publication of the Scottish Statutory Instrument 2025 No. 392. It will also follow Scottish Procurement Policy Note 5/2026, titled ‘Public procurement – cross-border co-operation within the UK’.