Frameworks, DPS and dynamic markets: how to get on them

Last reviewed 19 October 2026. General guidance, not legal advice.

A lot of public maintenance and facilities work is never advertised as a single contract. Instead, buyers set up a list of approved suppliers once and then award work to firms on that list for years. Those lists go by three names: frameworks, dynamic purchasing systems (under the old rules) and dynamic markets (under the Procurement Act 2023). If you are not on the right list, you may never see the work. This guide explains how each one works, how to get on, and when it is worth the effort.

Key points

• A framework is a list of suppliers appointed for a fixed period. Work is awarded later through "call-offs". Most frameworks last up to four years, and you usually cannot join once they have started.
• An open framework, new under the Procurement Act 2023, must be reopened to new suppliers at least once in its first three years and can run for up to eight years in total.
• A dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is the old-regime version of an always-open list. Existing ones must end by 23 February 2029 at the latest.
• A dynamic market is the Procurement Act 2023 replacement for the DPS. Suppliers can apply to join at any time.
• Being on a framework or market does not guarantee any work. It gives you the right to be considered.

Frameworks: the basics

A framework is an agreement between one or more buyers and a group of suppliers, setting the terms on which contracts (call-offs) will be awarded later. Frameworks are common for repairs and maintenance, compliance servicing, cleaning, grounds and security, often split into lots by trade, region or contract size.

Under the Procurement Act 2023:

• Term. A framework can normally last up to four years, or eight years for defence and security or utilities frameworks. A buyer can set a longer term only if the nature of the work requires it, and must publish its reasons.
• Getting on. You win a place through a competitive tender, much like any other contract. Once the framework is awarded, it is normally closed to new suppliers until it is re-procured.
• Call-offs. Work is awarded either through a mini competition between suppliers on the framework (the Act calls it a "competitive selection process") or without competition, but only where the framework sets out an objective way of choosing the supplier, or there is only one supplier.
• Fees. The guidance says buyers cannot charge suppliers for access to a framework. Fees can only be charged to suppliers awarded a call-off contract, as a fixed percentage of that contract's estimated value.

In a mini competition, the buyer can only use conditions of participation and award criteria allowed by the framework. The same protections as other tenders apply: buyers cannot require audited accounts from a firm that is not legally required to have them audited, or insist that contract insurance is in place before award.

Open frameworks

An open framework is a scheme of frameworks that is reopened to new suppliers during its life. Under section 49 of the Act:

• it must be reopened at least once within three years of the first framework being awarded, and then at least once in every five-year period after that;
• the whole scheme must end within eight years of the first award;
• if only one supplier is appointed, the maximum term falls to four years.

The Act allows suppliers already on the framework to be carried forward when it reopens. For a small firm, an open framework means that missing the first round is not the end of the story: you can prepare and apply when it reopens.

Dynamic purchasing systems (old rules)

A dynamic purchasing system was created under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Its key features for suppliers were that it must be fully electronic, open throughout its life to any supplier meeting the selection criteria, and free to join: the regulations say no charges may be billed to suppliers before or during its period of validity.

The Procurement Act 2023 does not allow new DPSs. According to the Cabinet Office guidance on transitional arrangements, existing ones must end on the date set when they were established or by 23 February 2029, whichever is earlier, and a DPS could only be extended in the first twelve months after the Act came into force. Contracts awarded under an old DPS or old framework continue to follow the old rules.

So you will still see DPSs advertised for cleaning, grounds and building services for a few more years, and it can still be worth joining one if it has plenty of life left.

Dynamic markets (new rules)

A dynamic market is defined in the Cabinet Office guidance as "a list of qualified suppliers" who can take part in future procurements. It replaces dynamic purchasing systems and utilities qualification systems with a single tool. The main rules:

• the buyer publishes a dynamic market notice on the Central Digital Platform when it sets one up;
• it must accept applications for membership at any time while the market is open;
• membership conditions must be proportionate, cannot change during the market's life, and the number of members cannot be capped;
• applications must be considered within a reasonable period, and the buyer must admit you and tell you the outcome as soon as reasonably practicable;
• a market can be split into parts, for example by trade or area, and you qualify for the parts that fit you;
• for most dynamic markets, fees can only be charged to suppliers awarded a contract, not for membership.

When a buyer wants to award a contract, it runs a competition among the members of the relevant part of the market. Utilities can also set up qualifying utilities dynamic markets, where the tender notice goes only to members and is not published.

Who runs them

Frameworks and dynamic markets are set up by individual public bodies and by central purchasing bodies that buy on behalf of many others. The largest central government example is the Government Commercial Agency, which was called Crown Commercial Service until 1 April 2026. Councils, housing associations, schools and NHS bodies also use regional and sector purchasing organisations, and some councils run their own frameworks for repairs and maintenance.

In Scotland, frameworks and DPSs set up by devolved Scottish bodies follow Scottish procurement rules. When a Scottish body calls off from a UK-wide framework or dynamic market set up under the Procurement Act 2023, the Act's procedures generally apply.

Why they matter for maintenance and FM firms

• Repeat work. Responsive repairs, planned maintenance and compliance servicing are ongoing needs. Buyers often prefer to call these off from a framework rather than run a new tender each time.
• Less tendering per job. Once you are on, call-offs are usually shorter competitions than a full tender.
• Access. Call-offs are competed only among the suppliers on the framework, so if you are not on it you cannot bid for that work.

There are downsides. A place on a framework guarantees nothing, and some frameworks have far more suppliers than work. Winning a place can take as much effort as winning a contract. Before you bid, look at what has actually been called off under the previous version of the framework, if that information is published.

How to get on

1. Watch for the notices. Framework tenders and dynamic market notices are published on Find a Tender (and Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales or eTendersNI where relevant).
2. Plan around end dates. Frameworks are re-procured as they expire. Our contracts ending pages show public contracts due to end in the next 12 months, so you can prepare before the replacement is advertised.
3. Pick the right lots. Bid only for the trades and areas you can genuinely cover. Over-reaching on lots spreads your effort and can lead to poor performance later.
4. Get your evidence ready. Framework tenders usually ask for the same core evidence as other tenders: accounts, insurance, health and safety accreditation, trade registrations and case studies. See what replaced the PQQ for a checklist.
5. Join dynamic markets and DPSs now. As they are open at any time, they are the quickest route onto a buyer's list.
6. Consider subcontracting. Large framework suppliers often subcontract specialist work. Under the Procurement Act 2023, 30-day payment terms are implied into subcontracts that help deliver a public contract.

Frequently asked questions

Does being on a framework guarantee work?

No. A framework sets the terms for future call-offs, but the buyer is not usually obliged to award anything. Check how many suppliers are on each lot and how much work was called off last time.

Can I join a framework after it has started?

Not usually. Most frameworks are closed until they are re-procured. Open frameworks must be reopened at least once in their first three years, and dynamic markets and dynamic purchasing systems accept new suppliers at any time.

What is the difference between a DPS and a dynamic market?

A dynamic purchasing system is the old tool under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. A dynamic market is its replacement under the Procurement Act 2023. Both are open lists that suppliers can join at any time; existing DPSs must close by 23 February 2029 at the latest.

Do I have to pay to join a framework?

Buyers cannot charge suppliers for access to a framework under the Procurement Act 2023. Some frameworks charge suppliers a fee on contracts they win, as a fixed percentage of the contract's estimated value.

How long do frameworks last?

Normally up to four years under the Procurement Act 2023, unless the buyer justifies a longer term. Open frameworks can last up to eight years in total.

Ready to look? Browse open contracts for your trade, or get a free weekly shortlist that includes framework and dynamic market opportunities: get free alerts.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

• GOV.UK: guidance on frameworks (checked 19 October 2026)
• GOV.UK: guidance on dynamic markets (checked 19 October 2026)
• GOV.UK: guidance on transitional and saving arrangements (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 46 (frameworks: competitive selection process) (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 47 (frameworks: maximum term) (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 49 (open frameworks) (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 39 (dynamic market notices) (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Public Contracts Regulations 2015, regulation 34 (dynamic purchasing systems) (checked 19 October 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 73 (payment terms in sub-contracts) (checked 19 October 2026)
• Government Commercial Agency: the Procurement Act 2023 (checked 19 October 2026)
• Scottish Government: SPPN 5/2026, cross-border co-operation within the UK (checked 19 October 2026)