Plentific has signed a new Open Framework, giving housing providers a more flexible, resilient and compliant way to procure and manage contractor supply under the Procurement Act 2023.
Designed to respond to increasing regulatory complexity, ongoing skills shortages and fluctuating demand, the Open Framework, sponsored by CDS, helps providers balance compliance with operational agility, enabling faster access to contractor supply.
For social landlords, procurement is an essential but often complex part of service delivery and this new Open Framework powered by Plentific enables access for verified contractors to more than 100 housing providers and millions of jobs in a fully compliant way, saving time and ensuring a focus on delivering quality work.
Regulatory requirements, established frameworks and the need to respond quickly to changing resident needs can make it challenging to maintain efficiency and control. The Open Framework simplifies this process, offering a modern procurement model that improves confidence, reduces friction and ensures access to the right supply when it is needed most.
Unlike traditional closed frameworks, Plentific offers a more flexible, future-ready procurement model. Providers can adapt to changing market conditions, capacity pressures and service demands without the disruption and delay of repeated re-procurement cycles.
“Housing providers are facing ongoing supply chain challenges, from skills shortages to fluctuating demand,” said Hasan Bayraktar, Senior VP Commercial at Plentific. “This Open Framework gives providers the flexibility they need to respond quickly, whilst remaining fully compliant and in control.”
“Having appointed Plentific as the managing agent, CDS is proud to be sponsoring this ground-breaking Open Framework that creates a new compliant procurement option for all housing providers — large and small, local and national, Council and housing association,” added Tom Bremner, Chief Executive of CDS. “As it will for us and over 30 housing Co-ops we deliver management services to, housing providers will benefit from an agile, digital, PA23 compliant solution that will drive better quality and wider value at the touch of a screen.”
What the Open Framework enables in practice
At its core, the Open Framework combines regulatory assurance with operational agility. It is fully compliant with the Procurement Act 2023 and designed to adapt to future regulatory change, giving providers confidence that their procurement processes remain robust, auditable and future-proofed.
This compliance is matched by speed and flexibility. Pre-vetted, ready-to-work contractors can be mobilised quickly, reducing delays in service delivery and enabling providers to respond faster to operational pressures. Direct awards and mini-competitions remove the need for full tenders for every scope of work, significantly reducing procurement effort whilst maintaining transparency and control.
Importantly, greater choice does not mean a loss of visibility. Housing providers retain governance, pricing oversight and performance standards across all suppliers, supported by centralised performance management, consistent KPIs and clear visibility of contractor outcomes. This ensures accountability remains at the heart of procurement, even as flexibility increases.
The framework also supports better outcomes beyond operational efficiency. Faster access to capacity leads to quicker job allocation, improved responsiveness and more reliable service delivery for residents. At the same time, the open structure creates fair access for high-quality SMEs alongside larger contractors, helping providers strengthen local supply chains whilst maintaining consistent quality and compliance standards.
Managed and optimised for long-term value
Plentific acts as the Managing Agent for the Open Framework, providing ongoing framework management, supplier assurance, performance optimisation and continuous improvement. Sponsored by CDS and underpinned by Plentific’s strategic and operational expertise, the framework delivers a modern, compliant procurement model built specifically for the realities of the housing sector.
For more details about the Open Framework and how it can support flexible, compliant procurement , please visit: Plentific’s Open Framework
