These frameworks are locking SMEs out of your procurements

Frameworks are a pivotal route to market for all public sector buyers. They increase efficiency, guarantee minimum standards, and speed up the procurement process.

But are some frameworks locking SMEs out of your procurements?

At Tussell, we analysed 40 major public sector frameworks across sectors and buyers, using our comprehensive procurement data.

The goal? To help you pick the best route to market for your procurement that levels the playing field for small and medium-sized firms.

Skip ahead to read about:

• Framework choice and the public sector SME gap
• 3x tips for finding SME-friendly frameworks
  
  • 1. Use frameworks SMEs are already winning work through
  • 2. Prioritise Dynamic Purchasing Systems
  • 3. Use the frameworks local SMEs are using
• Conclusion - which frameworks are best for SMEs?
• Download Tussell's free 2025 analysis of 40 top frameworks

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📊 Framework choice and the public sector SME gap

According to the latest SME Procurement Tracker by the British Chambers of Commerce and Tussell, in partnership with technology firm AutogenAI, only a fifth (20%) of public sector procurement spending went directly to SMEs in 2024.

For Central Government that figure is far lower.

With PPN 001 introducing new targets for direct SME spend, procurement frameworks are now under sharper scrutiny for their role in enabling - or hindering - SME participation.

So, as framework usage rises quickly, the question remains - which frameworks can procurement teams use to bolster SME engagement?

Download the 2025 Public Sector Frameworks Report

✅  3x tips for finding SME-friendly frameworks

We’ve crunched exclusive data from the Tussell platform to analyse 40 frameworks across five key categories: technology, FM, recruitment, construction & engineering, and consultancy.

The result? Three practical, data-backed tips to help you find frameworks that help - rather than hinder - SMEs:

(You can also skip to the end of this blog to download our analysis of 40 top public sector frameworks...)

🚀  Use frameworks that SMEs are already winning work through

When evaluating a framework, it’s easy to check how many SMEs are listed - but that alone doesn’t reveal how often they actually win work.

To get a true picture of how SME-friendly a framework is, it’s better to focus on outcomes.

With Tussell’s market-leading frameworks data, you can instantly see the proportion of call-offs awarded to SMEs, VCSEs, and local firms - giving you clear evidence of which frameworks are delivering real opportunities to smaller businesses.

The table below shows the SME call-off rates across eight major technology frameworks. Among them, G-Cloud 14 and Cyber Security Services 3 stand out as the most SME-accessible.

Download Tussell's free analysis of 8 prominent technology frameworks.

Source: Tussell 

🏛️  Prioritise Dynamic Purchasing Systems

Sometimes, historic call-off data isn’t available - either because a framework is new, or because it’s seen limited use to date. In these cases, buyers should pay close attention to the type of framework.

Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs) and Dynamic Markets provide more opportunities for newer, smaller firms to join.

Read Tussell's 10 tips for increasing SME engagement in procurement

Similarly, Open Frameworks are designed to be more inclusive, allowing suppliers to join at multiple points during the framework’s lifecycle, rather than locking them out from the start.

Want a full list of Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs), Dynamic Markets and Open Frameworks you can use straight away? Book a demo with the Tussell team to learn about Frameworks Finder - the public sector's trusted directory of framework agreements.

📍  Use the frameworks that local SMEs are using

If you’re procuring localised services, these are exactly the kinds of contracts where SMEs can thrive.

But to give local SMEs a real chance of winning, you need to use frameworks they actually have access to - or better yet, are already winning work through.

Learn how you can find the right live frameworks with Frameworks Finder

With Tussell’s frameworks data, you can identify which frameworks local SMEs in your category are successfully competing on - and prioritise these routes for your procurements. Book a chat with the Tussell team to learn more.

🌄 Conclusion - which frameworks are best for SMEs?

If you're serious about improving SME access in your procurements, you need a framework strategy that matches your ambition.

While you won’t always have full control over which framework to use, when you do have a choice, selecting an SME-friendly option can make a meaningful difference.

Scroll below to access Tussell’s analysis of 40 top frameworks to see which ones are actually delivering for SMEs - and use this insight to inform your next procurement decision.

To start using hard data to find the best live framework for your procurement, book a chat with the Tussell team.

🔻 Download Tussell's analysis of 40 top frameworks

8 technology frameworks - analysed

8 facilities management frameworks - analysed

8 construction & engineering frameworks - analysed

8 recruitment frameworks - analysed

8 consulting frameworks - analysed