DfE Furniture Framework

The Department for Education (DfE) Direct Sourcing programme is a 4 year programme with approximately 40 packages of work planned. An overarching PIN was placed in April 2019. It aims to deliver capital expenditure savings for the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) and Free Schools Capital. However, in addition it will also deliver savings for all schools who will also be able to access the frameworks. The very first package under this programme of work is for furniture where a PIN was placed in March 2019. Our commercial vision is to "drive reductions in capital expenditure by leveraging bulk buying gains, establishing long term mutually beneficial relationships and a greater visibility of true cost." The two key commercial principles driving our approach are: 1. STANDARDISATION - We will optimise the number of component parts whilst increasing quality and VFM - focusing on whole life-cycle costs. 2. DIRECT SOURCING - we will create frameworks available to our contractors and responsible bodies. The DfE has procured a Framework Agreement for the supply, installation and delivery of furniture and fittings. There are 3 separate lots; loose furniture, fitted furniture and bleacher seating. This is a 4 year framework agreement. The framework is available to all educational establishments from Primary through to Further Education, and Special Educational Needs provision. The Framework Agreement is primarily intended for use by all centrally funded Free Schools and Priority School Building Programme capital projects, but all schools and FE colleges will be encouraged to call-off from this agreement.