What are the rules for the award of a framework agreement under the light touch regime in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015? Can a framework be awarded for a term longer than four years under the light touch regime?

In answering this Q&A, we have assumed that the scenario relates to an above-threshold contract for social or other specific services listed in Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, SI 2015/102 (PCR 2015) (PCR 2015, SI 2015/102, Sch 3).

When determining whether a framework agreement meets the relevant financial threshold for application of the relevant rules under the PCR 2015, SI 2015/102, the value to be taken into consideration is the maximum estimated value (net of VAT), of all the contracts envisaged for the whole term of the framework agreement (see: PCR 2015, SI 2015/102, regs 5–6). For further reading, see Practice Note: The EU public procurement thresholds.