Key takeaways
• Procurement frameworks are closed, pre-agreed supplier lists with fixed terms; a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) stays open to new suppliers throughout its life.
• Under the Procurement Act 2023 (live 24 February 2025), new DPS arrangements are being replaced by “dynamic markets”, while existing DPS run until they expire by 23 February 2029.
• Frameworks reward suppliers who apply during a tender window; dynamic markets and DPS reward those who monitor and join continuously.
• Choosing the right route to market is a commercial decision, not an administrative one — and missing a framework window can lock you out for up to eight years.
• Delta eSourcing brings framework, DPS and dynamic market opportunities into one searchable feed with alerts, so suppliers do not miss the window to apply.
Winning public sector work is not only about writing a strong tender. It is about understanding how buyers buy — and the two routes that matter most are procurement frameworks and the dynamic purchasing system (DPS). Get onto the right one and a steady pipeline of call-off contracts opens up; miss the window and you can be shut out of a category for years. This guide explains what each vehicle is, how they differ, how suppliers join them, and how the Procurement Act 2023 has reshaped both.
Want to see which frameworks and DPS opportunities are live in your category right now? Request a free Delta eSourcing demo.
Why the route to market and procurement process matter as much as the tender itself
Many capable suppliers lose out on significant contract pipelines simply because they are not on the right frameworks or dynamic purchasing systems when buyers come to spend. The scale is substantial. According to Delta Q1 2026 procurement data (February–April 2026), UK public sector buyers published 30,841 contract awards with a disclosed value of £1.07 trillion across 2,703 buying authorities in just three months — and a large share flows through pre-agreed routes rather than one-off tenders, making robust market analytics and procurement insight tools increasingly important for strategic planning. That concentration is growing: in 2024/25, Crown Commercial Service agreements alone facilitated £33 billion of public sector spend (Crown Commercial Service Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25), up from £18.1 billion in 2020/21. For suppliers, understanding the buying vehicle is now as important as the bid itself.
What is a procurement framework agreement?
A procurement framework is a pre-agreed arrangement between one or more buyers and a shortlisted set of suppliers, where pricing, terms and qualifications are fixed upfront so buyers can “call off” contracts without running a full tender each time, sometimes by direct award as well as by mini competition. If you have ever asked what is a framework in a public sector context, that is the short answer.
Frameworks have three defining features. First, they run for a fixed duration — typically a maximum of four years for most authorities, or up to eight years for defence, security and utilities agreements. Second, they close to new entrants once the initial suppliers are appointed. Third, they are run by framework operators, the largest of which is Crown Commercial Service (CCS). For a deeper dive into what a framework agreement is and how it works, it helps to look at how long-term collaboration and cost savings are structured in practice.
The Procurement Act 2023 added a new option: the “open framework”. Unlike a traditional closed framework, an open framework can run for up to eight years and must be reopened to new bidders at least once in its first three years — a welcome change for suppliers who previously missed the initial window.
What is a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)?
A dynamic purchasing system is an open, electronic list of qualified suppliers that any supplier meeting the minimum criteria can join at any time during its life — the opposite of a framework, which closes after award. Buyers then run mini-competitions among the listed suppliers when they have a specific requirement, and every contract must go through further competition rather than direct award. Many use dedicated dynamic purchasing system procurement tools to manage these electronic exercises efficiently and compliantly.
There is an important update every supplier should know. Under the Procurement Act 2023, DPS arrangements are being replaced by a new tool called “dynamic markets”. Existing dynamic purchasing systems remain valid but expire automatically by 23 February 2029, and new arrangements are set up as dynamic markets. The key difference is scope: where a DPS was limited to commonly bought, off-the-shelf goods and services, a dynamic market can cover works, services and goods of any kind. CCS and other bodies operate these arrangements across many categories, so a search for “dynamic purchasing system CCS” will increasingly surface dynamic markets too. Also, unlike frameworks, a DPS is not subject to the usual four-year maximum duration and can run indefinitely, with the term set out in the tender documents.
Framework vs dynamic purchasing system — key differences every supplier should know
The dynamic purchasing system vs framework question comes down to one thing: when you can get in, and what you commit to once you are there. The comparison below breaks down what matters most, especially for buyers considering a dynamic purchasing system buyer’s guide to understand setup, management and regulatory implications.
How buyers use each vehicle
Buyers choose frameworks for speed and simplicity on repeat, predictable purchases — the terms are set, so a call-off is quick. They choose a DPS or dynamic market when they want a more flexible procurement tool and access to a wider range of suppliers as needs change. For you, that means frameworks suit established relationships, while open routes reward newer or specialist entrants, which is especially useful for innovative solutions in fast-moving categories.
Entry and qualification
This is the practical crux. A framework closes after its initial selection, so how to join frameworks is a matter of timing — you must apply during the tender window. A DPS or dynamic market stays open, so suppliers can join at any time once they meet the criteria, with admitted firms effectively acting as pre qualified suppliers rather than a fixed framework shortlist. If you have ever missed a framework you needed, the open route is often your way in.
Contract length and flexibility
Frameworks typically run for four years (up to eight for open frameworks and certain categories), with pricing largely fixed at the outset. Dynamic markets have no such fixed ceiling and keep the supplier list up to date because new suppliers can continue joining over time, so pricing and participants stay current.
Which categories suit each vehicle
Frameworks dominate established, high-value categories such as construction, IT and professional services — many of the best-known CCS frameworks sit here. DPS and dynamic markets are more useful where public sector organisations need access to local suppliers or newer specialist providers in fragmented markets, which can also help engage local businesses where category needs vary across regions.
Not sure which live opportunities fit your services? Explore them in one place with a free Delta eSourcing Demo.
How to join a framework agreement as a supplier
Getting onto a framework is a timing game, and the steps are consistent. Monitor for framework tender opportunities on Find a Tender (FTS); assess your fit against the lot structure; prepare your selection questionnaire and supporting evidence to a high standard; apply to become one of the framework suppliers on a fixed list, with later direct award opportunities or mini competitions depending on the agreement rules; and, once appointed, be ready to respond to call-offs and mini-competitions. Because frameworks are time-limited to enter, you also need to watch for new or replacement frameworks in your category before the current one closes, particularly when you are dealing with complex procurement framework agreements that have multiple lots and stakeholders.
CCS frameworks — applying through Crown Commercial Service
CCS frameworks cover categories from technology and professional services to construction, facilities management and healthcare. When a new CCS framework goes to market, suppliers apply by completing the published selection questionnaire — and the quality of that submission matters, because it determines whether you make the shortlist. Beyond CCS, many frameworks are run by sector bodies such as NHS Shared Business Services, construction consortia and local authority purchasing organisations, so specialist suppliers should look well beyond the central catalogue to local authorities and other public sector bodies that run their own frameworks.
How to join a dynamic purchasing system
Joining a DPS or dynamic market is usually faster and less onerous than a framework bid — a genuine advantage for SMEs and specialist suppliers. Find the relevant dynamic purchasing systems for your category, submit the selection questionnaire, and once you meet the criteria you can join a DPS and become one of the pre approved suppliers on the electronic list. From there, buyers can shortlist suppliers for individual contracts from that list, and each opportunity is awarded through further competition; many buyers use specialist DPS management solutions alongside dedicated dynamic purchasing system modules to keep these routes running smoothly. Because entry is continuous, you can join the moment you are ready rather than waiting for a window, and the dps remains open to new businesses throughout its life.
Dynamic purchasing system pros and cons for suppliers
Weighing dynamic purchasing system pros and cons honestly helps you decide whether it fits your growth strategy and whether you are ready to use supplier solutions for responding to public sector contracts to make the most of the opportunities you secure.
The pros are compelling: open entry at any time, lower initial bidding cost than a full framework tender, and ongoing access to a live pipeline; among the many benefits are access to more suppliers and a broader live pipeline, which can still work well for SMEs. The cons are equally real: because anyone meeting the criteria can join and there is usually no fixed number of suppliers on a DPS, competition for call-offs can be high; you depend on buyers actively running mini-competitions; and call-off volumes can vary from one buyer to the next. For many SMEs, the low barrier to entry outweighs the competition — but it pays to target dynamic markets where buyers are genuinely active.
How Delta eSourcing helps suppliers access frameworks and DPS
Keeping track of every framework window, DPS opening and mini-competition across thousands of buying authorities is exactly where suppliers lose ground. Delta eSourcing is built to support the overall process of finding and tracking framework, DPS and dynamic market opportunities for public sector bodies and suppliers. The Delta eSourcing platform for public sector procurement lets suppliers identify relevant frameworks, dps agreements and dynamic markets, track when new frameworks go to market, receive alerts for mini-competitions in their categories, and manage their responses in one place.
That single-feed approach matters given the numbers. With 30,841 contract awards published in a single quarter (Delta Q1 2026 data, February–April 2026), the practical challenge is visibility — seeing the right opportunity in time to act. By consolidating framework and DPS opportunities and alerting suppliers to them early, Delta eSourcing helps ensure you never miss the narrow window to apply, while complementary public sector procurement webinars and procurement partnerships across government frameworks support both buyers and suppliers in staying ahead of policy and market changes.
Common questions about frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems
What’s the difference between a framework and a dynamic purchasing system?
A framework closes to new suppliers after its initial award, while a dynamic purchasing system stays open throughout its life. Both use mini-competitions to award work, but the entry point differs: frameworks require you to apply in a set window, whereas a DPS or dynamic market lets you join at any time.
Can SMEs join CCS frameworks?
Yes. CCS frameworks are open to SMEs, and many use lot structures designed to accommodate smaller and specialist suppliers — SMEs made up 75.4% of all suppliers on CCS agreements in 2024/25 (Crown Commercial Service Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25). That said, dynamic markets are often more accessible for SMEs because of their continuous open entry, which can be especially useful for medium sized enterprises that miss a framework tender window.
What are the pros and cons of a dynamic purchasing system for suppliers?
The main pros are open entry at any time, lower initial bid cost, and ongoing pipeline access; under the dps model, the system stays open, enabling organisations to access new suppliers as needs change. The main cons are higher competition, since that same openness can mean a wider range of competitors bidding for contracts, dependence on buyers running mini-competitions, and variable call-off volumes between buyers.
How do I find out which frameworks and DPS arrangements apply to my services?
Check Find a Tender, individual buyer profile pages, and the CCS framework and dynamic market catalogue. Suppliers looking for further information can also use a platform such as Delta eSourcing to monitor live framework and DPS opportunities by category.
Find the right frameworks and DPS for your business
Procurement frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems are two distinct but complementary compliant routes into public procurement for suppliers targeting central government and other public sector buyers — and with SME spend reaching a six-year high of £45.2 billion in 2025 (British Chambers of Commerce, May 2026), the opportunity for suppliers who understand both has rarely been greater. Frameworks reward timing; dynamic markets reward continuous presence, and staying visible on open routes matters because new suppliers can keep entering the market over time. Suppliers who monitor both routes, and engage early, build a stronger and more predictable pipeline.
Ready to find the frameworks and DPS opportunities relevant to your business? Request a free Delta eSourcing demo and start building your public sector pipeline today.