Procurement frameworks

A Dynamic Purchasing System is a fully electronic procurement tool that allows new suppliers to apply and join at any time during its lifespan. It creates a live marketplace for goods, works and services, ensuring ongoing competition and flexibility while maintaining compliance with UK procurement law.

PfH’s DPS routes give members immediate access to pre-qualified suppliers across multiple categories, helping reduce procurement timescales and administrative effort.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Dynamic Markets will gradually replace traditional Dynamic Purchasing System models, offering even greater flexibility and accessibility.

While PfH’s existing DPS routes remain fully compliant and operational, we are preparing for the transition to Dynamic Markets to ensure our members continue to benefit from the most modern and efficient procurement tools.

Frameworks establish a closed list of suppliers for a fixed period, while a Dynamic Purchasing System remains open throughout its term. This means new suppliers can join whenever they meet the qualification criteria, creating continuous competition and access to emerging expertise. Frameworks are best suited to stable, recurring requirements; DPS routes work well for areas where flexibility and supplier diversity are key.

PfH’s Dynamic Purchasing System routes are free to use for housing associations, local authorities and other public sector bodies. Each system is fully compliant with UK procurement legislation and designed to help members achieve efficiency, value and transparency in every purchase.

PfH operates DPS routes across a wide range of categories, including construction, building works, maintenance, professional services, decarbonisation, compliance, and workplace solutions. Each DPS is tailored to housing and public sector needs, providing members with a flexible, compliant way to access qualified suppliers.

Because suppliers can apply to join at any point, smaller businesses and social enterprises are not excluded by fixed deadlines. This encourages local participation, supplier diversity and social value creation while keeping competition active throughout the DPS term.

Once suppliers are qualified and added to a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) or Dynamic Market, members can issue mini-competitions for specific contracts under the relevant DPS lot. All qualified suppliers are invited to tender, ensuring a fair and transparent process that meets public procurement requirements while promoting best value.

Yes. Many members use frameworks for defined, recurring services and DPS routes for more flexible or project-specific needs. PfH helps members choose the most appropriate route or combination to achieve compliance and efficiency.

A Dynamic Purchasing System offers flexibility, continuous competition and inclusion. It reduces procurement timescales, allows easy supplier access, and ensures compliance through electronic processes. The result is faster purchasing, better value and stronger market engagement.

The new legislation introduces Dynamic Markets as a successor to the DPS model, simplifying supplier entry and administration. PfH’s currentDynamic Purchasing System routes remain compliant under existing regulations and will evolve seamlessly into Dynamic Markets as they are implemented.

Because suppliers can join at any point, Dynamic Purchasing System routes encourage fresh entrants bringing new ideas, technologies and methods. This continual refresh helps members access the most current solutions available in the market, driving performance and innovation.

PfH offers end-to-end support from identifying the right DPS route and running competitions to managing supplier performance and demonstrating social impact. Our specialists ensure members achieve efficient, compliant and value-driven outcomes.

The Procurement Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) established the previous framework for UK public procurement following EU directives. The new Procurement Act 2023 introduces more flexible procedures, simplified processes, and greater emphasis on social value outcomes. Key changes include streamlined procurement processes, enhanced transparency requirements, and stronger social value considerations. PfH ensures all framework agreements comply with applicable regulations, whether established under PCR 2015 or designed for the new Procurement Act requirements.

Yes, PfH frameworks maintain full compliance with current public procurement act requirements. Our existing agreements were established under PCR 2015 and remain legally compliant until expiry, while future frameworks will be designed to meet Procurement Act 2023 standards. We continuously monitor regulatory developments and work with legal specialists to ensure all framework agreements meet current legislation requirements, providing housing organisations with confidence in their procurement compliance and audit trail documentation.

The Procurement Act 2023 introduces new UK procurement regulations, but existing frameworks established under previous legislation remain fully valid until their expiry dates. PfH frameworks created under PCR 2015 and OJEU regulations continue to operate normally throughout their contract terms. New frameworks launched after the Act’s implementation will be designed to comply with the updated requirements, ensuring continued regulatory compliance and market access for housing organisations while maintaining the established benefits of framework agreements.

Direct awards offer the fastest route to market, typically allowing contract commencement within days, ideal for urgent requirements or routine services with established specifications. Mini-competitions provide competitive tension and innovation opportunities, suitable for complex requirements or high-value contracts where demonstrating value for money is essential. Both approaches maintain framework benefits including pre-vetted suppliers, established terms and conditions, regulatory compliance, and access to competitive pricing structures negotiated through the original framework procurement.

Suppliers can apply to join PfH frameworks when procurement opportunities are advertised through Find a Tender Service (previously OJEU). Applications require demonstration of relevant experience, financial stability, technical capability, and commitment to social value delivery. For Dynamic Purchasing Systems and dynamic markets, qualified suppliers can apply throughout the contract period. Our procurement team provides guidance to potential suppliers on application requirements, evaluation criteria, and how to demonstrate their suitability for social housing work.

PfH maintains a comprehensive portfolio of procurement frameworks designed specifically for social housing organisations. Our frameworks cover construction, maintenance, professional services, facilities management, technology, and specialist housing services. Housing associations can access detailed information about available frameworks through our website, and framework guides or speak to our procurement specialists who provide guidance on which frameworks suit specific requirements and how to access them effectively.

Public sector procurement frameworks serve broad government and local authority needs across multiple sectors, while specialist housing frameworks like PfH’s are designed exclusively for social housing requirements. Government procurement service frameworks may lack the housing-specific expertise, social value focus, and sector knowledge that housing associations need. PfH frameworks include suppliers with proven social housing experience, understanding of tenant impact, building safety compliance, and housing asset management. This specialisation typically delivers better outcomes and value for housing organisations compared to generic public sector alternatives.

Yes, you can use multiple frameworks for different work packages within the same project, provided each framework covers the specific scope of work required. For example, a housing development project might use our construction framework for the main works, our materials framework, and other frameworks such as fire safety,or planned works for ongoing maintenance. PfH’s wide range of specialist frameworks allows members to create comprehensive procurement packages that cover all aspects of complex housing projects while maintaining efficiency and compliance.

All housing associations are automatically members of PfH and gain immediate access to all frameworks. Members can access frameworks through guidance from our procurement specialists who provide comprehensive support including framework familiarisation, supplier introductions, and guidance on selecting appropriate procurement routes. Our team offers ongoing support throughout the contract lifecycle, from initial requirement identification through to contract management and performance monitoring.

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) allows new suppliers to join throughout the contract period, unlike traditional frameworks with fixed supplier lists. Dynamic markets provide greater flexibility and innovation opportunities as suppliers can apply at any time, subject to meeting qualification criteria. While frameworks offer stability with established supplier relationships, dynamic procurement systems encourage competition and market evolution. PfH operates both frameworks and dynamic markets, helping housing organisations choose the most appropriate procurement route for their specific requirements.

PfH frameworks typically run for 2-4 years with optional extension periods built into the original procurement process. We provide advance notice of framework expiry dates and usually launch replacement frameworks before existing ones expire to ensure continuity of supply. Members receive regular updates on framework timelines, and our team provides guidance on transitioning to replacement frameworks or alternative procurement routes as needed.

PfH frameworks include a carefully selected mix of national contractors, regional specialists, SMEs, and Voluntary Community Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, all vetted for their social housing expertise and commitment to social value delivery. Our supplier base covers all aspects of housing operations from major contractors to niche specialists, ensuring members have access to appropriate expertise regardless of project size or complexity. All suppliers undergo rigorous financial and technical evaluation before appointment.

Smaller housing associations often achieve the greatest benefits from frameworks as they gain access to competitive pricing and professional procurement support without needing dedicated internal teams. Frameworks provide economies of scale, while PfH’s consultancy support can help navigate complex procurement requirements. Our frameworks are designed to be accessible regardless of organisation size, with flexible lot structures accommodating different procurement volumes.

Social housing frameworks are specifically designed around the unique requirements of housing associations and local housing authorities, incorporating housing-specific regulations, social value priorities, and sector expertise. Our frameworks include suppliers who understand tenant impact, building safety compliance, planned maintenance cycles, and social housing asset management. Generic public sector frameworks lack this specialist knowledge and may not address housing-specific challenges effectively.

Yes. All PfH frameworks and DPS solutions are fully compliant with the prevailing procurement legislation at the time they are established.

A mini-competition is a competitive process run between selected framework suppliers for more complex, high-value, or bespoke requirements. You should use mini-competitions when requirements need tailored solutions, involve significant innovation, exceed certain value thresholds, or where demonstrating competitive tension is important for audit purposes. Mini-competitions provide a streamlined alternative to full procurement processes while maintaining competitive pricing and supplier innovation.

Direct awards can be made when your requirement is straightforward, clearly defined, and the framework terms adequately cover your needs. This typically applies to standard maintenance work, routine professional services, or repeat purchases where specification and pricing are well-established. Direct awards provide the fastest route to market, often allowing contract commencement within days of decision. All PfH frameworks clearly specify which categories are suitable for direct award versus requiring mini-competition.

PfH operates over 30 specialist frameworks designed specifically for social housing, including planned works and maintenance, responsive repairs, professional services, facilities management, technology solutions, and our innovative SHED (Social Housing Emerging Disruptors) frameworks. Our portfolio covers construction, consultancy, compliance services, energy efficiency, telecommunications, and specialised housing services. Each framework operates for a fixed term as established during the original procurement process. Each term can be found on the individual framework page, and on our framework guides.

Procurement frameworks are pre-established agreements between PfH and vetted suppliers that housing associations can access without running individual tender processes. Once you’re a PfH member, you can either make direct awards for straightforward requirements or run mini-competitions between framework suppliers for more complex needs. This eliminates lengthy procurement timescales, reduces costs, and ensures compliance with UK procurement regulations while providing access to pre-negotiated competitive rates.