A framework on buying furniture

What we sit on and where we put our cups is important, no matter how mundane the topic sounds.

For this reason, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has released a new framework under the catchy name of Furniture and Associated Services 2 (RM6308) which details how to buy furniture for use in all public sector organisations including central government, local authorities, charities and not-for-profit companies.

This includes second-life furniture, sustainable repair and renovation services.

All public sector organisations can use this agreement to buy furniture for use in office, residential, and educational settings. Here is a run down of the framework. It runs from 23 January 2024 to 22 January 2027.

What is the framework for?

Through the framework, organisations can access industrial heavy-duty racking and steel storage for use in operational environments, libraries and museums.

They can also access renovation and repair services to keep furniture maintained and reduce waste, second life furniture and services including design and space planning, site surveying, sustainability advice and guidance.

Buyers with specific requirements based on a particular sector or setting, such as health or challenging environments, can specify these at call off. The framework has an initial term of three years, with the option to extend for a further one year.

What are the benefits?

There are a variety of positives related to the framework. Firstly, the CCS said the value for money is a big plus. Organisations can access fixed pricing for vital items including transportation costs, as well as discounted rates on non-core items.

It also supports social value as suppliers must show their commitment to providing social value objectives. Suppliers must provide an annual framework social value report.

Sustainability outcomes can also be worked towards because all the packaging is reusable or recyclable.

Suppliers are increasing recycled content and reusability of products and items, and can provide guidance on reusing and recycling your existing items as part of market engagement.

Finally, 75 per cent of suppliers from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are on the agreement, so there is a wide range of them to access.

How can you buy it?

There are 12 suppliers and five different Lots on the framework. The first is for office furniture that meets the government’s hub standards, including desks, workstations, seating, storage, conference room furniture to name a few.

Lot 2 is designed for MOD but it is open to all public sector buyers. It contains the same furniture as listed above as does Lot 3 which supplies residential furniture.

Lot 4 provides high density steel storage, which includes repairing and re-manufacturing of buyers existing furniture and buying second life furniture.

The final lot includes repairing and re-manufacturing of buyers existing furniture and buying second life furniture. This lot also includes MOD repair and renovation services.

Routes to market include buying through either direct award or further competition, or making direct award decisions based on criteria in addition to price.

Buyers must complete a Customer User Agreement (CUA) form and return to info@crowncommercial.gov.uk before running a further competition.