Department for Education approved ESPO frameworks

At ESPO, we work closely with the Department for Education (DfE) to ensure that our offering meets the changing and varied needs of education establishments. From the products we sell in our catalogues, to the extensive services provided through our framework solutions, we’re always thinking about how we can help make the procurement process easier for our public sector customers.

Did you know that 14 ESPO frameworks have been reviewed and approved by the DfE? This provides further assurance for schools and trusts that goods and services are being procured compliantly, and that good value is being obtained in terms of cost, quality and time.

We have around 100 framework solutions available at ESPO, designed by our team of procurement experts who have the done the hard work so you don't have to. However, an increasing number of our frameworks, most likely to be used by education establishments, are being identified as DfE-approved ESPO frameworks. This means they have undergone a rigorous review process and are assessed for:

“We’re very proud that the DfE has recognised and approved a number of our frameworks. Our objective is to ensure that our customers benefit from achieving best value, an excellent service and price stability, and we are delighted to be supporting schools across the country through access to our procurement services.”

- Gary Ford, Head of Commercial

• Offers access to an extensive range of building supplies.
• Includes general building materials, kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing materials, fencing and electrical items.
• Features market-leading service providers, a quick and easy discount off list structure, and allows for trade counter collection and cards.

• Provides a flexible way to buy technology products and associated services.
• Includes end user devices, technology infrastructure and software needs.
• Specialist education suppliers to purchase from in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.

• A wide range of services including technical resources, cloud solutions for digital transition and print consultancy.
• Fixed pricing for the duration of your contract.
• Pre-agreed terms and conditions to underpin all orders for peace of mind.

• ESPO will act as an intermediary to buy electricity in the wholesale market on your behalf.
• Associated services including exports for embedded generation, automated meter reading (AMR) and new meter connections.
• A flexible, aggregated risk management approach to public sector energy procurement.

• ESPO will act as an intermediary to buy gas in the wholesale market on your behalf.
• Offers a bill validation service, automated meter reading (AMR), new meter connections, and changes to existing connections, disconnections and upgrades.
• As well as Electricity (191), this ESPO framework has a single service provider with a proven track record for consistency and clarity.

• Encompasses both automative fuels and heating oils, including kerosene, refined gas oil and green fuels (HVO, GTL and bio-diesel).
• Includes a 48-hour lead time for delivery.
• ESPO has a dedicated team specifically for public sector energy customers.

• Provides the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in both bulk and cyclinder form.
• Features pricing mechanisms designed to deliver long-term competitiveness.
• Customers are protected from unjustifiable price increases, ensuring value for money and real savings.

• Access a range of systems for renewable energy projects.
• Provides the supply, installation and maintenance of solar PV, heat generation and wind turbine systems and associated products.
• All service providers satisfy renewable energy accreditation requirements.

• Includes equipment for commercial and light catering, as well catering consumables, maintenance services and turnkey kitchen solutions.
• Offers value-added services such as installations or old equipment removal to suit your requirements and budget.
• Food waste and recycling equipment can offer innovative sustainability solutions for food waste.

• Split into three Lots for catering: education, social care and public sector.
• Suppliers can offer a variety of catering provisions and service models, as well as provide assistance with marketing, reduce costs and maximise meal uptake.
• Additional support is available through our complimentary framework, Procurement and Contract Management Support For Catering (704C). 

• Provides quality menus that are varied and delicious.
• Offers products to suit special dietary requirements such as vegan, gluten-free and halal.
• All food suppliers' safety accreditations are monitored throughout the lifetime of this framework.

• A wide product range available including sandwiches with various fillings, hot and cold food-to-go products and accompanying snacks.
• Offers point of sale and marketing resources such as personalised meal deal and price posters, fridge strips and flyers.
• Service providers hold relevant and in-date third party food safety accreditation.

• Designed primarily for school library services and local authorities to procure the supply of print books.
• Includes an extensive list of adult and children's fiction books, curriculum books as well as reference materials, handbooks and manuals.
• Great discounts available with as much as 35% off some titles.

• Fill a wide range of temporary and fixed-term posts in both teaching and non-teaching roles.
• Offers great value for money and complete transparency of costs - schools are saving 7% on average.
• No costly temporary to permanent fees after 12 weeks (with 4 weeks' notice) - typically a saving of £4-5,000.