Public sector: a buyer's guide to frameworks

Iron Mountain provides secure records and information management, warehousing and logistics, digital solutions and content services to the Public Sector through a wide range of frameworks.

However, we know that the number of frameworks out there can make it difficult to find the right one for your requirements, so we have put together a guide to help you.

Why frameworks?

“The over-riding procurement policy requirement is that all public procurement must be based on value for money, defined as “the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the period of use of the goods or services bought”.

Public procurement guidance note, Crown Commercial Service

Procurement regulations oblige public sector bodies to tender from suppliers when they want to buy goods and services above a certain value. Buying through approved frameworks complies with procurement regulations and simplifies the process for buyers.

This means that, rather than go through an extensive process of creating all your procurement requirements from scratch and developing your own terms & conditions every time, you can identify services which have been pre-scoped and pre-negotiated from suppliers whose capabilities are known to meet the relevant stringent levels.

There are frameworks available to meet every type of service and product requirement - some of them enable you to simply pick a supplier from a list and work with them, others will allow you to run a level of competition if that is your preference.That way, you can use frameworks while still tailoring your approach.

Ultimately, using a framework takes pressure off busy procurement departments while providing a fast, compliant route to quality services at prices which have been negotiated to take into consideration the scalebuying of the whole of the Public Sector - an ideal route for organisations needing to do more with less.

• Compliant route to market
• Value-for-money
• Fast, straightforward process
• Access latest technology and innovation
• Pre-negotiated terms & conditions
• Pre-vetted suppliers

Please note that all frameworks included in this guide can be used by any Public Sector body unless specifically stated.