12 Oct What is a framework agreement?

By using the right framework agreement you can ensure you find the perfect office products and services for your business from pre-approved suppliers to improve purchasing.

Going out to tender is a time consuming and complex process. But there is a way to make it much simpler. By researching existing framework agreements and identifying one that is right for your business, you can save both time and money. Especially when it comes to managing your office supplies and services such as printing, document disposal and distribution.

In this article, we’ll recap on what a framework agreement is, how to know which one is best for your business to improve purchasing, and why you should consider registering for a managed service.

What is a framework agreement?

Framework agreements set out the terms – including price, quality and quantity – under which individual contracts can be awarded from pre-approved suppliers.

These contracts give you the flexibility to gain what you need under pre-negotiated conditions which are then tailored to your organisation.

In turn, this leads to greater efficiency between identifying what you need and then fulfilling it, greater savings when suppliers offer more competitive prices, and greater stability throughout the process of procurement.

Which framework is right for my industry?

It’s a great question, and possibly the most important one of the entire process. There are a lot of choices out there and you need to find one that is right for your business – and one that is also secure and reliable.

Once your framework is tendered and awarded, there is a little that can be done to change the agreed terms. So, make sure you involve your procurement department throughout and assure that you choose a framework agreement that is credible.

Why should I register for a managed service?

A managed service framework agreement procures everything your organisation needs for the management of office supplies, printing, document disposal and mailroom services.

These services form an integral part of multiple business-critical processes. Working with a partner to source them for your business in a way that is both efficient and effective can have far-reaching benefits for both you and your people.

What framework agreements are Ricoh members of?

Ricoh is currently a member of a number of framework agreements. And a lot of work goes into making sure they are only partnered with the right kind. Their focus is on developing strong relationships with Framework Managers to build loyalty and trust, with an objective to improve purchasing.

Here is a list of current members, and you can find more detail here:

• Birmingham City Council
• Buy for Good
• Central Buying Consortium (CBC)
• Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
• Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC)
• London Procurement Partnership (LPP)
• Northern Ireland Education Authority
• National Procurement Service – Welsh Government
• Procurement for Housing (PfH)
• Procurement Scotland
• 2Buy2.com
• YPO

Countess of Chester framework agreement

Ricoh is now also proud to be recognised as an approved supplier on the Countess of Chester framework.

This enables Ricoh to offer public sector authorities access to products and services which achieve the best value and remain compliant with procurement regulations.

Let us handle the management and delivery of your office supplies, printing, document disposal and mailroom services.

Register for a managed service here

Need more guidance? Bring in the experts

Ricoh’s Consultancy Services team are focused on working alongside organisations to unlock the potential of their teams and workplaces.

Our experts are truly passionate about what they do. We offer bespoke services to create processes that inspire your people and improve your business. That includes helping you find the right solution specification for your individual business needs. So you can then use this as a baseline design to call for competitive offerings under a framework.

Contact us today

If you would like to find out more about how we improve workplaces, using innovative technologies and services that enable people to work harder, please check out this guide.

Otherwise, click here to read more insights on outsourcing different business functions.