Selling technology into local authorities can feel complex, time-consuming, and at times confusing. Frameworks are meant to make public procurement easier, yet many GovTech and CivTech suppliers find themselves stuck at the first hurdle or listed on a framework but seeing little return.
At Advice Cloud, we specialise in providing local authority frameworks help that actually works in practice. We support suppliers at every stage of the public sector buying cycle, helping you move from ‘trying to get listed’ to winning meaningful public sector work.
This guide explains where suppliers commonly struggle, and how the right support can make the difference.
What Are Local Authority Frameworks?
Local authority frameworks are pre-approved agreements that councils and other public sector bodies use to buy goods and services compliantly. Instead of running a full tender process every time they need a supplier, buyers can purchase through a framework that has already assessed suppliers on quality, capability, compliance and price.
For technology suppliers, frameworks are often the main route into local government. Popular examples include G-Cloud, Digital Outcomes & Specialists (DOS), and other Crown Commercial Service frameworks.
In theory, frameworks are meant to reduce friction. In reality, they come with detailed rules, scoring criteria and expectations that many suppliers underestimate.
This is where working with bid experts with experience in winning bids on local authority frameworks makes a huge difference.
Why Local Authorities Rely on Frameworks
From a local authority perspective, frameworks exist for good reason. Buyers are under pressure to:
- Spend public money transparently and responsibly
- Meet procurement regulations (predominantly the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024)
- Move quickly while staying compliant
- Demonstrate value for money and social value
Frameworks give local authorities confidence that suppliers have already been vetted and that procurement processes are defensible if challenged.
Common Challenges Suppliers Face With Local Authority Frameworks
Despite good intentions, many GovTech suppliers struggle with frameworks. The issues we see most often include:
Misunderstanding the Purpose of Frameworks
Being listed does not guarantee work. Frameworks are routes into the market, not sales channels. As a supplier, you still need a clear strategy to engage buyers once listed.
Underestimating the Quality Threshold
Framework applications are scored competitively. Weak responses, forgettable answers or poor evidence can lead to low scores or outright rejection. Not answering the question is a very common mistake made by suppliers. Treat it like an exam!
Lack of Internal Procurement Knowledge
Many commercial and sales teams are unfamiliar with public sector language, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements.
No Post-Listing Plan
We regularly meet suppliers who are on G-Cloud or DOS but have never won a contract because they do not know how to market, engage or position themselves to local authorities.
These are exactly the problems our procurement experts are here to help you solve.
How We Help GovTech Suppliers Navigate Local Authority Frameworks
At Advice Cloud, we’ve supported over 510 organisations to use UK government technology frameworks effectively. Our approach is practical, structured and grounded in real public sector experience.
End-to-End Framework Application Support
We guide suppliers through the entire framework listing process, from early suitability assessments to final submission. Our team includes APMP certified professionals, MCIPS professionals, former government CIOs and CDOs, and experienced bid specialists.
We do not simply ‘edit’ framework or bid submissions. We help you understand what buyers are looking for and how to evidence your capability clearly and compliantly.
Reducing the Burden of Admin
Framework applications eat up a lot of time. We remove as much of the admin load as possible, allowing your team to focus on your main business while we manage deadlines, uploads and quality assurance.
Building Strong, High-Scoring Responses
We provide tailored response guides and supporting documents that map directly to the framework criteria. Every submission goes through a minimum three-draft review process to ensure clarity, compliance, and competitive scoring.
Across all frameworks we’ve worked on, our clients achieve an average quality score above 94%.
Local Authority Frameworks Help Beyond Getting Listed
One of the biggest misconceptions in public procurement is that the hard work ends once you’re on a framework. In reality, that is only the beginning.
Improving Your Buyability™
We help suppliers boost their Buyability™ so that local authorities can easily understand, trust and engage with them. This includes refining service descriptions, pricing approaches and framework positioning.
Supporting Sales and Capture Planning
For larger or more complex opportunities, we provide capture planning and bid support services. This ensures your team is focused on the right opportunities and approaching them with a clear, buyer-led strategy.
Supporting SMEs and Innovative Suppliers
71% of the suppliers we support are SMEs. Many tell us they feel locked out of public sector work or overshadowed by larger competitors.
Getting listed on local authority frameworks can level the playing field, but only if suppliers know how to use them properly. We help smaller and medium sized organisations present their strengths clearly, meet compliance requirements confidently and compete on quality rather than size. One way we do this is with bid review services.
Impressive Results From Our Framework Support
Our experience spans multiple sectors and frameworks. We have helped:
- FireText win a £38m contract through G-Cloud
- Appvia secure major contracts through the DOS framework
- Freshworks upskill their teams and strengthen their G-Cloud presence
- DLUHC support 38 local authorities through complex procurement processes, awarding contracts and starting work in under six weeks
These outcomes come from consistent, well-informed and well-executed framework strategies.
If you need help with local authority frameworks, simply contact us for more information.