This review recognises that frameworks are created for different purposes in different sectors and to meet varying national and regional needs. Wherever possible, the review recommendations focus on principles that are common to all framework types and that support a Gold Standard for all frameworks and framework contracts. These recommendations are designed to offer clients and suppliers a route through the maze that will help them to understand and identify the features of a Gold Standard framework and a Gold Standard framework contract, and that will enable them to distinguish between the many frameworks and framework contracts currently on offer.
A framework can create a sound commercial strategy for its clients, managers and suppliers if it enables and governs an attractive amount of work, if it sets out fair procedures governing how that work is awarded and if it establishes the means by which performance should improve over time. A framework can also strengthen and integrate the systems of preconstruction phase planning for each project and programme of work, and it can improve the quality of information shared and used to underpin safe and efficient design, construction and operation.
In these ways a framework provides a flexible and dynamic model for a long-term contract that delivers the efficient and collaborative procurement of projects, portfolios of work and pipelines of multiple projects. However, there are a huge number of public sector construction frameworks in the marketplace. Review participants have illustrated how the potential of these frameworks is not always well expressed or well understood and how they are not always successful in delivering their aims.