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Public Sector Resources & Supplies

We have 50 years’ experience in helping the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services. We offer over 100 compliant frameworks, designed to make the procurement process quick and stress-free.

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We’re dedicated to providing great support and added value, as well as meeting your changing needs for greater flexibility, innovation and sustainability. Being publicly owned by 13 member local authorities means all our profits go back to the public sector.

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We have a range of frameworks and services designed to help the social housing sector get the most out of their budgets.

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The Procurement Act 2023 is now live. We can support you in creating positive change and unlocking the potential of public procurement.

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New frameworks

Supply of PPE and Workwear - 1241

This framework is for the supply of workwear and PPE. The framework provides customers with a route to market for the...

Supply of Food and Drink Vending Solutions - 1206

Department for Education approved framework A brand new offering to YPO, covering a range of vending and...

International Recruitment of Social Work - 1166

A compliant framework developed to support the international recruitment of social work roles and associated services...

Office furniture solutions and associated services - 1281

A fully tailored national office furniture solution incorporating (but not limited to) a wide range of desks, storage,...

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Why use our frameworks?

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Over 100 compliant, free to use dynamic purchasing systems and frameworks

What is a framework?

What is a framework?

A framework is a type of contractual agreement between one or more buyers (often public sector organisations) and one or more approved suppliers. It sets out the terms and conditions, under which future contracts (call-offs) can be awarded during a specified period, typicall 1 to 4 years.

Frameworks are designed to:

• Streamline procurement by avoiding repeated tendering
• Ensure legal compliance with procurement regulations
• Enable competition among pre-approved suppliers

They often include several suppliers are divided into ‘lots’ based on product type, service category, or geographical location

What are the stages of public sector procurement?

What are the stages of public sector procurement?

STAGE 1 - PLAN

Define Needs: Identify business objectives, risks, sustainability, and social value.
Engage Stakeholders: Align requirements and priorities.
NPPS and PA23 Compliance: Consider SME access, innovation, and social value.
Pre-Market Engagement: Consult suppliers, publish Preliminary Market Engagement Notice if needed.

STAGE 2 - DEFINE

Specification Development: Clear, non-restrictive requirements and performance standards.
Procurement Strategy: Choose procedure (open, competitive flexible), set award criteria using Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).

STAGE 3 - PROCURE

Notice Publication: Issue Planned Procurement Notice and tender notice via Find a Tender Service (FTS).
Tender Preparation: Include evaluation criteria, timelines, and contract terms.
Bid Evaluation: Assess against MAT criteria; apply exclusion grounds and check Debarment List.
Transparency: Prepare Assessment Summaries, publish Contract Award Notice.
Standstill Period: Observe mandatory pause before signing.

STAGE 4 - MANAGE

Contract Management: Monitor performance, compliance, and risks.
Reporting: Publish KPIs for applicable contracts and report outcomes.
Closure: Evaluate supplier performance and capture lessons learned.

What are the 4 types of procurement?

What are the 4 types of procurement?

1. Direct procurement – this refers to acquiring goods and services that are directly used in production or service delivery. Examples include components, raw materials and packaging.

2. Indirect procurement – this refers to supporting business as usual operations without contributing directly to the final product. Examples include office supplies, IT services, utilities and facilities management.

3. Goods procurement – this refers to purchasing tangible items from external suppliers. Examples include furniture, machinery and medical equipment.

4. Services procurement – this refers to acquiring people-based services. Examples include consultancy services, software subscriptions and training services.

What is the difference between public and private sector procurement?

What is the difference between public and private sector procurement?

Public procurement

Public procurement is done by government bodies or publicly funded organisations that aim to serve public interest and deliver social value. It is funded from taxpayer money and government budgets and comes with strict legal frameworks and regulations. Transparency is a core principle in public procurement, requiring decisions to be publicly documented. The tender process is formal and competitive, often needing open calls for bids. Supplier selection is also based on clear criteria to ensure fairness and equal treatment of all suppliers.

Private procurement

Private procurement is done by privately owned businesses or corporations with the purpose of maximising profitability and operational efficiency. Unlike public procurement, it is funded by company revenue or potential investment. The regulations are more flexible and governed by internal policies and commercial law. Decisions can also be confidential, and the tender process is not publicly advertised as the supplier selection is often based on existing relationships and strategic fit, often with preferred suppliers in mind.

What is the procurement act 2023?

What is the procurement act 2023?

The Procurement Act 2023 is a major reform of public procurement law in the United Kingdom, designed to simplify and modernise how public sector bodies buy goods, services, and works. It officially came into force on 24 February 2025, replacing the complex EU-based rules that previously governed UK procurement.

Key features of the Procurement Act include:

• Consolidation of over 350 fragmented regulations.

• Transparency & integrity: Introduces world-leading standards for openness, including mandatory publication of procurement notices and performance data.

• Value for money: Places public benefit and cost-effectiveness at the heart of procurement decisions.

• Simplified procedures: Reduces bureaucracy and accelerates procurement timelines, especially for SMEs and social enterprises.

• Digital platform: Establishes a central system for suppliers to register once and access all public sector opportunities.

• Supplier exclusion: Strengthens powers to exclude suppliers involved in misconduct, fraud, or modern slavery.

How can YPO help with procurement?

How can YPO help with procurement?

We have 50 years’ experience in helping the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services. We offer over 100 legally compliant frameworks, designed to make the procurement process quick and stress-free.

Moreover, with recent changes to legislation in the Procurement Act 2023, the UK has moved away from EU law to one single act to create a more transparent and simple process. YPO is here to support both customers and supplies in navigating these changes with several resources and supplies, including:

• Flexible, compliant and innovative solutions that are accessible and free to use.
• Webinars, trainings and podcasts to help stakeholders implement the necessary changes.
• Blogs, reports and articles to inform on how the procurement act impacts businesses.

What is the difference between a framework and a Dynamic Market?

What is the difference between a framework and a Dynamic Market?

Both framework agreements and Dynamic Markets are procurement tools used by public sector organisations to streamline the buying process but there are underlying differences in terms of supplier access, flexibility, and the manner in which contracts are awarded. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Framework Agreement

A ‘framework agreement’ is a set contract between a buyer and one or more suppliers, typically lasting up to 4 years. Once the framework has been established, no new suppliers can join until it has been retendered. There are also pre-set terms in relation to pricing, service levels and other framework conditions. If buyers want specific contracts, they can start a mini-competition that involves running mini-tenders among approved suppliers. Although framework agreements offer stability and predictability, they may not be ideal if new suppliers or innovations arise in the process.

Dynamic Markets

Under the Public Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) used under the previous Public Contracts Regulations 2015 has been replaced by a new tool called ‘Dynamic Markets’. Dynamic Markets are introduced as the successor to DPS under PA23. They function similarly to DPS in that they maintain a list of qualified suppliers who can join at any time, but they offer greater flexibility and can be used for a wider range of goods, services, and works than DPS allowed.
Dynamic Markets also come with enhanced transparency requirements, such as publishing a Dynamic Market Notice for every market created. Unlike DPS, Dynamic Markets cannot be used for below-threshold contracts, they are intended for higher-value procurements.

Have there been any changes made to the new procurement procedures?

Have there been any changes made to the new procurement procedures?

Under the previous Public Contracts Regulations 2015, contracting authorities could choose from several procedures:

• Open Procedure
• Restricted Procedure
• Competitive Dialogue
• Negotiated Procedure
• Innovation Partnerships

These have now been simplified under PA23. Instead of six complex routes, there are three main procedures:

• Open Procedure (retained) - A single-stage process where any supplier can submit a tender.

• Competitive Flexible Procedure (new) - A highly adaptable process that allows contracting authorities to design a procedure that suits their needs, while complying with transparency and fairness principles.

• Direct Award (expanded grounds) - Permitted only in specific circumstances.

These competitive flexible procedures let you design a tailored process that fits your procurement needs, including negotiation, dialogue, demonstrations, or site visits. They must comply with overarching objectives such as value for money, integrity, transparency, and fairness.