A framework agreement is a special type of competition where the procurer is not making a purchase right away, but rather finding one or more suppliers who can deliver a certain type of goods or services over several years.
Unlike dynamic purchasing systems (DPS/DPS) and qualification schemes, only suppliers who win the initial competition for the framework agreement get the opportunity to bid on the individual purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of winning a framework agreement?
You get access to deliver on individual purchases that the procurer makes within the scope of the framework agreement.
Which procurers issue framework agreements?
Most public procurers use framework agreements for areas where they will make recurring purchases.
What types of purchases are made under framework agreements?
All purchases within the predefined scope of the framework agreement are made under the framework agreement.
What does it cost to join a framework agreement?
It is completely free to join a framework agreement
When is the deadline to join a framework agreement?
All framework agreements are announced with a bid deadline, which is the final deadline to participate in the competition for the framework agreement. If you do not submit a bid by the deadline, you will not be able to join the agreement later.
How long does a framework agreement last?
As a general rule, framework agreements cannot last longer than 4 years. The agreements will also be terminated if the predetermined maximum cost ceiling is reached before the end of the term.
What is a parallel framework agreement?
A parallel framework agreement is a framework agreement where multiple winners are selected in the initial competition. When purchases are made, mini-competitions are created where the winners compete against each other for each individual purchase. These competitions have the same framework as defined in the main agreement, and the best bid based on this framework wins the mini-competition.
How do I find framework agreements in Cobrief?
In Cobrief, all relevant framework agreements will appear in your Inbox.
How do I work with mini-competitions from framework agreements in Cobrief?
Once you have won a framework agreement, you will receive notifications from the procurer when competitions are announced. To work on them in Cobrief, you create a private bid, as explained here.
What is the difference between a framework agreement and a dynamic purchasing system?
Framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems are both intended to pre-qualify suppliers before individual purchases. These are the main differences:
To join a framework agreement, you must win the framework agreement competition itself, whereas in a dynamic purchasing system, anyone who meets the requirements is allowed to join.
A framework agreement is announced like a regular competition with a deadline, while a dynamic purchasing system is open for the entire period, usually several years.
Framework agreements can be used for all types of competitions within a predefined scope, while dynamic purchasing systems are used for the purchase of standardized goods ('off-the-shelf' items) and standardized services.
The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) has also written a comprehensive article on dynamic purchasing systems and their comparison with framework agreements, where you can see all the differences.