Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Framework agreement definition

What does Framework agreement mean? A framework agreement is an umbrella contract that sets standard terms and procedures for awarding future, individual contracts (call-off contracts) between the same parties, allowing repeat purchases or projects without re‑negotiating core terms. It is used across the private sector and, especially, in public procurement. In public procurement, the term is defined in legislation: in England and Wales and Northern Ireland by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (and Utilities rules), in Scotland by the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, and in Ireland by the 2016 Regulations implementing Directive 2014/24/EU. The statutory concept is an arrangement to establish the terms...

Construction framework agreements: JCT FA, NEC FC and ACA FAC‑1—comparative features, public procurement compliance, call‑off mechanisms and drafting guidance

Published by a LexisNexis Construction expert

Practice notes

What standard form Framework agreements are published?

There are several recognised standard form construction framework agreements:

the JCT Framework Agreement (JCT FA)
the ACA Framework Alliance Contract (ACA FAC-1)
the NEC3/NEC4 Framework Contract (NEC FC)

JCT FA

The JCT FA was originally issued in 2005 as a non-binding document, aimed chiefly at private sector use. After criticism that it was unsuitable for public sector adoption (a major user of frameworks), it was updated in 2007. A further 2011 revision aligned it with the amended Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (HGCRA 1996), and the latest version appeared in 2017, described as the 2016 edition to align with the 2016 JCT suite. JCT guidance confirms the JCT FA is intended for procuring works over a period. Call-off contracts made under the JCT FA are to be governed by the JCT form most appropriate to the particular works being called off.

ACA FAC-1

The ACA FAC-1 was published in 2016 and is intended for situations where the contractual relationships between the client and a number of contractors and...

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Andrew Millross

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP

Andrew is a Partner in Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, specialising in all aspects of procurement and construction. He has been with the firm since 1997 and before then spent 7 years in-house in local government. Andrew also has a background in governance and public/private partnerships.Andrew wrote the National Housing Federation 'Guide to the EU procurement rules' (2nd edition published 2007) a practical guide for registered providers of social housing on what contracts are covered by the rules, what the rules require and what practical strategies can be adopted to comply with them. He was the editor and main author of the 'NHF Contract Management guide' (published January 2010) and was the legal author of the NHF book 'Procurement in Practice; avoiding the pitfalls and getting the best result' (published 2013). Andrew also led the team from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP that was...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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