Procurement Services, formerly known as KCS Procurement Services, provides procurement frameworks and other solutions that public-sector organisations can use to purchase goods and services from approved suppliers.
Procurement Services is a trading function of Commercial Services Group, which is wholly owned by Kent County Council. Its frameworks cover a wide range of goods and services and can create opportunities for local, regional and national suppliers looking to work with public-sector customers.
For suppliers, understanding when relevant Procurement Services frameworks are being procured, whether your business is a suitable fit and how to build a strong submission can be an important part of your public-sector growth strategy.
Who can access Procurement Services frameworks?
Depending on the individual framework, participating organisations can include local authorities, NHS organisations, police and fire and rescue services, housing associations, schools and academies, charities and other publicly funded organisations.
The precise eligibility requirements and geographical coverage can differ between frameworks. Suppliers should therefore check the relevant procurement notice and tender documentation rather than assuming that every Procurement Services framework has the same customer base or coverage.
Frameworks may also have been established under different procurement legislation depending on when the procurement began, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
Why do Procurement Services frameworks matter to suppliers?
Securing a position on an appropriate Procurement Services framework can put your business in a smaller pool of approved suppliers from which participating public-sector organisations can procure.
How contracts are subsequently awarded will depend on the rules of the individual framework. Routes can include further competitions and, where the framework permits it, direct awards.
A framework place doesn't guarantee any level of spend. There may also be substantial competition for a place when a framework is tendered. This makes it important to assess each opportunity carefully and build a response around the published requirements rather than treating framework applications as a formality.
For suppliers looking to grow their public-sector work, the key questions include:
- Is the framework genuinely relevant to the products or services you provide?
- Which public-sector organisations will be able to use it?
- What evidence will you need to demonstrate your capability?
- How will quality, social value and commercial considerations be evaluated?
- What opportunities could be available if you secure a place?
Bid writing support for Procurement Services frameworks
Thornton & Lowe supports businesses bidding for Procurement Services frameworks and other public-sector opportunities.
We don't determine your commercial pricing, but we can help you develop the quality elements of your submission and prepare for the procurement process. This can include:
- identifying relevant upcoming tenders and framework opportunities
- reviewing the tender requirements and evaluation criteria
- developing bid libraries and reusable evidence ahead of the tender
- providing additional bid writing capacity
- helping you develop compelling case studies and supporting documents
- supporting the presentation and design of your bid
- training your internal sales and bid teams.
Effective preparation is particularly important for competitive framework procurements. Your response needs to demonstrate not only that you meet the requirements, but also how your experience, delivery approach and evidence address the buyer's priorities.
Social value can also form an important part of public-sector tender evaluation. Preparing relevant, measurable commitments and supporting evidence before an opportunity goes live can make it easier to develop a strong response once the tender timetable begins.
Our experience with Procurement Services frameworks
Thornton & Lowe has supported clients bidding successfully for Procurement Services frameworks.
One example is The DMS Digital Group. Following work with Thornton & Lowe to strengthen its bidding processes, the company reported a significant improvement in its bid success and has secured places on multiple Procurement Services frameworks.
The DMS Digital Group is currently represented on five Procurement Services frameworks covering:
- Audio Visual Solutions
- CCTV Access Solutions & Security Services
- Digital Transformation Solutions & Enterprise Services
- IT Hardware, ITAD and Associated Services
- Multi-Functional Devices and Digital Solutions
Terence Hargreaves, Director of The DMS Digital Group, said:
“The processes that The DMS Digital Group and Thornton & Lowe put into place were robust and we continue to use them to this day. Since the implementation of this, our success rate has increased significantly, and our team now has a number of successful bids completed with a total value of £1-2 million.”
Preparing for your next Procurement Services opportunity
If a Procurement Services framework is relevant to your organisation, preparation can begin well before the tender is published.
Thornton & Lowe can help you assess the opportunity, identify gaps in your existing bid evidence and provide additional expertise and capacity when the procurement goes live.
Speak to our bid writing team if you'd like support preparing for or responding to a Procurement Services framework opportunity.
