Section 45

A contracting authority may award a public contract in accordance with a framework. A “framework” is a contract between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that provides for the future award of contracts by a contracting authority to the supplier or suppliers. Unless subsection (4) applies, a framework may only provide for the future award of a public contract following a competitive selection process. A framework may provide for the future award of a public contract without competition between suppliers— in circumstances where only one supplier is party to the framework, or if the framework sets out— the core terms of the public contract, and an objective mechanism for supplier selection. A framework must include the following information— a description of goods, services or works to be provided under contracts awarded in accordance with the framework; the price payable, or mechanism for determining the price payable, under such contracts; the estimated value of the framework; any selection process to be applied on the award of contracts; the term of the framework (see section 47); the contracting authorities entitled to award public contracts in accordance with the framework; whether the framework is awarded under an open framework (see section 49). A framework may not— permit the award of a public contract to an excluded supplier, or prevent a contracting authority from requesting additional information from suppliers before awarding a contract. A framework may provide for the charging of fees at a fixed percentage of the estimated value of any contract awarded to the supplier in accordance with the framework. This section does not apply in relation to the award of— a concession contract, or a framework. Subsections (3) to (5) do not apply to a framework that is a light touch contract (see section 9(5)).

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Source: legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 2026-09-04