FAQs

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Our FAQs are designed to help you quickly find answers to common questions about Procurement Services, our frameworks, and how we support public sector organisations. Whether you’re looking for guidance on using our solutions, understanding procurement terminology, or finding the next steps, this page provides clear, practical information to support your procurement journey.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is always happy to help, please get in touch with us directly via our contact page.

View our glossary

FAQs

General

Who are procurement services?

Procurement services provide compliant and efficient routes for organisations to purchase goods, works, and services. These services are designed to support buyers by offering access to pre‑procured frameworks, expert advice, and established supplier arrangements.

Who can use procurement services?

Procurement services are typically available to public sector organisations and other eligible bodies, such as local authorities, education providers, health organisations, charities, and housing associations, subject to relevant regulations.

How do frameworks save time and resources?

Frameworks remove the need for organisations to undertake their own lengthy tender processes. This reduces administrative effort, shortens timescales, and lowers procurement risk.

What leasing solutions are available?

Leasing solutions provide flexible and cost‑effective options for acquiring assets without the need for upfront capital investment. These solutions support financial planning and budget management. For more information, please visit our Leasing page.

What vehicle procurement solutions are available?

Vehicle solutions provide access to cars, vans, specialist vehicles, and associated services through compliant frameworks, supporting operational and fleet requirements.

Frameworks

What is a public sector framework agreement?

A public sector framework agreement is a pre‑established contract that allows eligible organisations to procure goods and services from approved suppliers without running a full tender each time. Frameworks are designed to ensure compliance, value for money and efficiency while reducing procurement timescales.

If you’re unfamiliar with framework terminology, you can explore definitions of key procurement terms in our Glossary.

View our Frameworks

Who can use Procurement Services frameworks?

Our frameworks are available for use by a wide range of eligible UK public sector organisations, including local authorities, education providers, healthcare bodies, emergency services, housing associations and charities.

Further explanations of authorised users and eligibility can be found in our Glossary.

What does “compliant route to market” mean?

A compliant route to market means that a procurement process meets all relevant legislation and regulations, such as the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and, where applicable, the Procurement Act 2023. Using a Procurement Services framework provides assurance that compliance has already been built into the procurement process.

Key compliance terms are explained in our Glossary.

What are “lots” within a framework?

Lots are subdivisions within a framework that group similar goods or services together. They make frameworks easier to navigate and allow customers to procure precisely what they need, whether that’s specialist services, regional delivery or specific product categories.

Definitions of framework lots and structures can be found in our Glossary.

Are your frameworks suitable for smaller or independent healthcare providers? 

Yes. Our frameworks are designed to be accessible for organisations of all sizes, including smaller providers. We remove the need for complex tendering while still ensuring compliance, quality and fair pricing. 

How do Procurement Services frameworks ensure compliance?  

All suppliers on our frameworks are thoroughly assessed to ensure they met required standards for quality, reliability and regulatory compliance. This gives healthcare providers peace of mind that they are buying safely, ethically and responsibly. 

Social Value

What does Social Value mean at Procurement Services?

Social Value at Procurement Services is about creating positive economic, social and environmental outcomes alongside delivering compliant and high‑quality procurement solutions. We work with suppliers and public sector organisations to ensure that our frameworks contribute to local communities, skills development, sustainability and fair employment practices.

What types of Social Value outcomes does Procurement Services support?

Our Social Value outcomes focus on key areas including:

  • Supporting local economies and SMEs
  • Improving employment and skills opportunities
  • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Reducing environmental impact
  • Supporting health, wellbeing and community initiatives

These outcomes align with public sector priorities and national Social Value objectives.

Find out more about our Social Value outcomes:
https://www.procurementservices.co.uk/about-us/social-value

Compliance, Governance & Regulation

How do you ensure compliance with governance and regulatory requirements?

We operate within a clear governance framework and comply with all relevant legislation, policies, and internal controls. Our processes are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency, with regular reviews to maintain compliance with regulatory changes and best practice standards.

Data Protection & Security

How is data protected and kept secure?

We take data protection and information security seriously. All personal and sensitive information is handled in line with data protection legislation and internal security policies. Appropriate technical and organisational measures are in place to protect data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

Supplier Onboarding & Qualification

What is the supplier onboarding and qualification process?

Suppliers are required to complete a structured onboarding process to confirm compliance with our standards and requirements. This includes providing company information, relevant certifications, and agreeing to our terms and policies. The process ensures suppliers are qualified, reliable, and aligned with our objectives before any engagement begins.

Contract Management & Performance

How are contracts managed and supplier performance monitored?

Contracts are managed centrally to ensure consistency, compliance, and value delivery. Supplier performance is monitored against agreed measures, enabling issues to be identified and addressed promptly. Regular reviews help maintain strong working relationships and support continuous improvement.

Getting in Touch / Next Steps

How do I get in touch with Procurement Services?

You can contact Procurement Services directly via our online contact form. Whether you have a question about our frameworks, need procurement guidance, or want to learn more about working with us, our team will be happy to help.

Get in touch with us here

What are the next steps after contacting Procurement Services?

Once you’ve submitted your enquiry, a member of our team will review your request and get back to you with the appropriate information or guidance. We aim to ensure clear, helpful and timely responses to support your procurement needs.

Contact Us

For more information about Procurement Services, do not hesitate to contact us by calling 0808 2819439 or email us procurementservices@csltd.org.uk

 

 

 

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