Glossary

We understand that procurement can be confusing. Organisations often use different terms to describe the same thing. With that in mind, we designed this glossary to make buying with us and navigating our website easier. It is not designed to be an extensive list of all procurement terms.

Containing

• framework agreement

Framework agreement

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

Under the PCR 2015 regulations a framework agreement may contain lots that further split the framework into specific parts for buyers to choose from. There are different ways to buy from a commercial agreement (see direct award and further competition).

Under the Procurement Act 2023 a framework refers to both closed frameworks and open frameworks.